HR Generalist

Petersen Automotive Museum

We are more than just an iconic museum, we're a fast-paced, high-energy team driven by innovation, passion, and a deep love for car culture and storytelling. From world-class exhibitions to unforgettable events, we bring history, design, and horsepower to life every day. We work hard, we move fast, and we have a blast doing it, all while pushing the boundaries of what a museum can be. If you're ready to shift into high gear with a crew that values creativity, integrity, and a good laugh along the way... you'll fit right in.

About the Role

Are you a confident HR professional with a strong grip on compliance, a sharp eye for detail, and a passion for shaping workplace culture? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where your proactive mindset, people skills, and policy expertise are valued every single day? We're looking for a compliance wizard and well-rounded HR generalist to join our high-performing, hard-working (and genuinely fun) People & Culture team. If you have a background supporting teams of 150+ employees, enjoy owning processes like payroll, audits, and employee relations, and can confidently navigate the HR landscape with a "let's get it done" attitude - keep reading.

What You'll Do

1. Own HR compliance: Stay on top of ever-evolving labor laws, policies, and procedures to ensure we're always ahead of the curve.
2. Manage payroll & benefits: Work with finance to run smooth, accurate payroll cycles and keep benefits administration running like clockwork. This is a key part of your role.
3. Lead HR audits: Be the go-to for internal and external audits, from recordkeeping to reporting.
4. Provide trusted, proactive support across employee relations, and policy interpretation.
5. Contribute ideas and action toward team-building, DEI, engagement, and events.
6. Champion best practices: Evaluate and implement efficient systems, practices, and improvements across HR functions.
7. Track and support employee leaves with accuracy and care, managing documentation, compliance, and communication with empathy and professionalism.
8. Help keep our performance processes on track. From annual reviews to goal setting and feedback, partnering with Head of HR to ensure clarity, accountability, and growth at every level.
9. While this isn't a recruiting-heavy role, you may collaborate with hiring managers to support job postings, interviews, and offer processes, ensuring a consistent and inclusive candidate experience.
10. Help coordinate or contribute to training initiatives that level up our team whether it's compliance training, manager development, or onboarding refreshers.
11. When issues arise, you'll provide guidance and documentation support, helping ensure every matter is handled thoroughly, fairly, and in alignment with company policy.

Be a resource and a role model: Partner with managers and colleagues, and help foster a culture that's compliant and connected.

Who You Are:

• Detail-oriented, proactive, and organized, you don't wait to be told, you anticipate what's needed.
• A clear, confident communicator who can speak the language of employees and execs alike.
• Cool under pressure, you manage deadlines, regulations, and people with grace.
• A team player who believes compliance doesn't have to be boring — and that great culture and great processes can (and should) co-exist.
• You are someone who takes their work seriously, but not themselves.

What You Bring & Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, with a strong generalist background.
• Proven experience supporting organizations of 150+ employees.
• In-depth knowledge of federal and state employment laws, with a compliance-first mindset.
• Confidence in managing sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and clarity.
• Strong experience running or supporting payroll and benefits administration.
• A strong grasp of HR best practices, from onboarding to offboarding and everything in between.
• Being a Spanish Speaker is a big plus.
• SHRM certification preferred.
• Knowledge of HRIS systems needed.

Why Join Us:

• We are a collaborative, supportive team that works hard and has fun doing it.
• A culture that celebrates accountability, curiosity, and kindness.
• A chance to make an impact — we value your voice and ideas.
• Competitive pay and benefits, professional development, and room to grow.