Senior HR Specialist

Overview Senior HR Specialist Department: People Services Reports to: Associate Relations Manager FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Columbus, Ohio Company: GOSH Enterprises Salary: $58000-$65000 Position Summary The Senior HR Specialist plays a vital role in People Services, leveraging strong HR operations expertise, sound judgment, and a proactive approach to support core processes, compliance, employee relations intake, and organizational initiatives. This position suits professionals ready to move beyond entry-level HR, taking on greater responsibility and complexity while progressing toward HR Manager or Business Partner roles. Working closely with HR leadership, the Senior HR Specialist ensures accurate process execution, early issue identification, and a consistent, compliant employee experience. What You'll Own (Core Responsibilities) HR Operations & Process Execution Independently manage day-to-day HR operations with a high degree of accuracy and follow-through Serve as a primary point of contact for routine employee and leader HR inquiries, escalating complex issues appropriately Maintain and continuously improve HR SOPs, templates, and process documentation Support audits, internal reviews, and process checks to ensure consistency and compliance Compliance & File Management Lead I-9 and E-Verify processing, audits, and ongoing compliance efforts Maintain employee files and records in accordance with federal, state, and company requirements Support compliance-related documentation including terminations, unemployment claims, and record retention Proactively identify compliance gaps or risks and partner with HR leadership on solutions Employee Relations Support Provide Tier 1 employee relations support , including intake, documentation, and issue tracking Support HR leadership with investigation preparation, documentation, and follow-up tasks Maintain discretion, professionalism, and confidentiality when handling sensitive matters Onboarding & Employee Lifecycle Support Oversee onboarding logistics for corporate and restaurant employees Support a smooth, timely, and welcoming onboarding experience across the organization Support employee changes including transfers, promotions, and offboarding HR Systems & Reporting Maintain accurate data within the HRIS (UKG preferred) Conduct data audits and resolve discrepancies Support recurring and ad hoc reporting requests Projects & Continuous Improvement Support and independently manage HR projects and initiatives Track deliverables, deadlines, and dependencies Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience What Good Looks Like You'll be successful in this role if you are: Highly detail-oriented and compliance-minded Confident operating independently while knowing when to escalate Service-driven, approachable, and professional Organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Comfortable handling sensitive employee matters Curious, proactive, and continuously improving What You Bring (Qualifications) Required 3-5 years of progressive HR or People Services experience Strong working knowledge of HR operations, compliance, and employee lifecycle processes Experience managing I-9s, audits, and HR documentation independently Exposure to employee relations intake and documentation Strong written and verbal communication skills High level of discretion and professionalism Proficiency in Microsoft Office and HR systems (UKG preferred) Preferred Experience in a multi-location, franchise, or hourly workforce environment Familiarity with compliance training, audits, or HR process design HR certification or coursework (PHR, SHRM-CP) Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred