HR Coordinator

About our family of companies:

We are on a mission to bring learning to life! At our family of companies, Learning Resources®, Educational Insights, and hand2mind, we create a unique range of toys, educational products and supplemental curriculum trusted by teachers and loved by families alike. Voted among the Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces for the last five consecutive years, we are a 350-person strong, family-owned organization dedicated to helping kids succeed in school and develop a love of learning. In addition to high-quality, hands-on products like VersaTiles® and Cuisenaire® Rods, we make award-winning toys, including top sellers such as the Pretend & Play® Cash Register, the Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set and Toy of the Year winner Botley® the Coding Robot as well as Educational Insights top sellers Kanoodle®, GeoSafari® Jr. series, and Playfoam™. We pride ourselves on being committed to our employee’s personal and professional development, a thriving culture and a diverse, creative atmosphere. Along with our culture and competitive benefits package, we offer opportunities for training and development by Harvard and UCLA professors as well as in-demand, motivating external speakers. We are looking for professionals who are truly just kids at heart! We hope you’ll come join our award-winning team today!

Team & Position Description: 

We are currently seeking a Human Resources Coordinator to join our Human Resources Team! This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the employee experience and contribute directly to the organization’s cultural and operational success. As a recipient of the Chicago Tribune's Top Workplace Award for five consecutive years, our company and team is dedicated to fostering a supportive and dynamic environment where employees thrive. The HR Coordinator will gain hands-on experience in employee relations, HRIS system management, and the execution of high-impact HR programs. This position is ideal for professionals eager to build expertise in HR operations while contributing to a workplace recognized for its excellence in culture and employee engagement.

What you’ll do day to day:  

• Manage new hire communications, including sending offer confirmations, onboarding schedules, and first-day instructions.
• Oversee onboarding tasks such as collecting and verifying new hire paperwork, including I-9s and tax forms, and ensuring data entry into the ADP HRIS system.
• Ensure compliance with legal and organizational standards by maintaining accurate and up-to-date employee records in the HRIS, including data entry, terminations, and routine audits of HR processes.
• Process HR-related invoices, ensuring accurate budget coding and timely payments.
• Coordinate scheduling for HR meetings, such as New Hire Check-ins, Talent Reviews, and Exit Interviews.
• Act as the first point of contact for employee inquiries via the HR Help Desk, providing timely and accurate resolutions.
• Conduct regular Employee Pulse Check-ins, documenting and addressing feedback as needed.
• Support and execute logistics for HR cultural events, such as team-building activities and celebrations.
• Schedule and manage logistics for training programs, including participant sign-ups, trainer specific arrangements, and materials preparation.
• Track participant attendance and feedback for training programs, providing follow-up reports to leadership.
• Assist in planning and organizing large-scale training events, like Leadership Summits or Managerial Training.
• Troubleshoot user issues with HR software tools (e.g., ADP, Nectar) and ensure systems run smoothly.
• Create and distribute HR surveys (e.g., Post-Training Surveys, Exit Surveys, Culture Event Surveys).
• Collect and analyze survey responses, preparing reports and recommendations for HR leadership.
• Handle administrative tasks related to benefits enrollment, ensuring employees have access to the necessary resources.
• Coordinate special HR programs, such as Summer Intern initiatives, Volunteer Days, or Donation Match campaigns.
• Assist HR leadership with brainstorming and executing strategies for employee engagement or process improvements.
• Assist with additional tasks, projects, and responsibilities as needed to support leadership and address evolving business priorities.

What we’re looking for (Key Performance Objectives):  

• Within the first 30 days, begin coordinating HR Culture Events (Ongoing): Assist in brainstorming and executing engaging HR-led cultural events, ensuring alignment with company values. Track participation and satisfaction rates to establish benchmarks for future event planning.
• Within the first 60 days, serve as HR Systems Liaison (Ongoing): Act as the primary point of contact for troubleshooting employee issues with HR software tools, such as Nectar and performance management platforms. Ensure resolution of 95% of tickets within 48 hours.
• Within the first 90 days, facilitate employee check-ins and reviews (Monthly): Schedule and support execution of New Hire Check-ins, Talent Reviews, and Exit Interviews. Maintain a tracking dashboard to monitor completion rates and generate insights for management action.
• Enhance Training Logistics for Development Programs (By Q2): Take full ownership of coordinating logistics for all training and development programs, including managing communications, sign-ups, venue arrangements, and materials preparation. Implement a tracking system to measure participant satisfaction and post-training application of skills, achieving a minimum 85% positive feedback rating on surveys.
• Develop a Centralized HR Resource Hub (By Q3): Collaborate with the HR team to create and launch an online resource hub for employees by the end of Q3. This hub should consolidate policies, FAQs, forms, and key HR processes, reducing employee inquiries to the HR Help Desk by 20% within three months of implementation.

Requirements/Ideal Attributes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in an HR support role, with exposure to HRIS systems and onboarding processes preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on delivering exceptional employee support.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with HR software systems such as ADP or similar platforms.
• A collaborative mindset, willingness to learn, and the adaptability to thrive in a dynamic and growing organization.
• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in data entry, record-keeping, and compliance with organizational and legal standards. 

We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer.

Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time.

Compensation Range: $27.88 – $32.69 per hour – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set and location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here). 

#LI-hybrid

#LI-hybrid