HR Operations Specialist Jobs in Illinois
HR Operations Specialist jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, Naperville, and Schaumburg, where companies like United Airlines, Allstate, and Walgreens maintain large HR functions that routinely hire across benefits administration, HRIS management, and workforce compliance. The market supports roles from coordinator-level positions up to senior specialist and HR operations manager, with consistent demand tied to the region's deep concentration of corporate headquarters and professional services firms. Illinois ranks among the most active markets in the Midwest for this function. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 29+ HR Operations Specialist jobs
BILINGUAL PEOPLE OPERATIONS GENERALIST
Join Team Bento and be a part of our group of companies which operates more than 12000 locations globally. With operations across Canada and United States, Bento brings together a dynamic team of people with diverse backgrounds, experience, and talent, to create an exceptional guest experience.
Location:
- Chicago Food Factory: 2136 South Peoria Street Chicago, IL 60608 | Monday to Friday
Responsibilities:
The People Operations Generalist is responsible for supporting a wide range of People Operations functions including recruitment, employee relations, compliance, benefits, training, and People Operations. This role serves as a key point of contact for employees and managers, ensuring consistent application of policies and fostering a positive work environment.
- Support full-cycle recruitment activities, including job postings, candidate screening, interview coordination, and hiring logistics.
- Facilitate new hire onboarding and orientation, ensure I-9 compliance, and manage offboarding processes including exit interviews and separations.
- Manage intake and resolution of employee concerns, conduct internal investigations, and partner with the People Operations Manager to advise leaders on conflict resolution and appropriate actions.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state (including Chicago), and local employment laws and regulations.
- Assist with employee benefits enrollment, changes, and respond to employee inquiries in a timely manner.
- Support performance review cycles and assist managers with documentation and administration of performance improvement plans.
- Coordinate and track required compliance and professional development training programs to ensure completion and effectiveness.
- Partner with staffing agencies to ensure adherence to company policies, onboarding standards, and required training compliance.
- Partner with corporate teams to maintain HR systems, ensure data accuracy, and generate reports to support business needs.
- Communicate, interpret, and consistently enforce company policies and procedures across the organization.
- Administer employee leave programs and ensure compliance with applicable laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA and state-specific leave requirements).
- Support workplace safety initiatives, partner with operations on safety programs, and assist with workers’ compensation case management and tracking.
- May travel, as needed, to support People Operations initiatives at other locations, including out-of-state sites.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field preferred.
2-5 years of Human Resources, administrative, recruiting, or employee support experience required.
Knowledge of State and Federal Labor laws strongly preferred.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to speak and write in Spanish required.
Work Environment:
Office and food manufacturing environment depending on business needs.
- Will require walking the production floor and interacting with hourly workforce.
Why you should join our team:
- Power of Collaboration: Live our core values - "Own it", "Care about it", "Make it exceptional", and "Win together" - as we work together to create better food for everyone, the Japanese way.
- Competitive Rewards: Reap the benefits of a comprehensive compensation package with a bonus plan and group health benefits that recognize your outstanding contribution.
- Ignite Your Potential: Fuel your growth with extensive training and opportunities for career advancement, empowering you to unleash your full potential.
- Champion Diversity and Inclusion: We proudly celebrate and champion employment equity, diversity, and inclusion through our Affinity Committee, ensuring that every voice is empowered and heard.
- Lead the Sustainability Revolution: As part of our commitment to ESG, our Sustainability Committee drives our environmental initiatives and champions sustainable practices.
For more information about Bento Sushi and our opportunities, please visit www.bentosushi.com.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those candidates elected for an interview will be contacted. Special consideration will be given to applicants with previous experience working as a; Human Resources Coordinator, People Operations Coordinator, People Operations Specialist, Human Resources Generalist, HR Generalist, People and Culture Generalist, Employee Experience Specialist, People and Culture Advisor, HR Operations Specialist.
#bentoCA
BILINGUAL PEOPLE OPERATIONS GENERALIST
Join Team Bento and be a part of our group of companies which operates more than 12000 locations globally. With operations across Canada and United States, Bento brings together a dynamic team of people with diverse backgrounds, experience, and talent, to create an exceptional guest experience.
Location:
- Chicago Food Factory: 2136 South Peoria Street Chicago, IL 60608 | Monday to Friday
Responsibilities:
The People Operations Generalist is responsible for supporting a wide range of People Operations functions including recruitment, employee relations, compliance, benefits, training, and People Operations. This role serves as a key point of contact for employees and managers, ensuring consistent application of policies and fostering a positive work environment.
- Support full-cycle recruitment activities, including job postings, candidate screening, interview coordination, and hiring logistics.
- Facilitate new hire onboarding and orientation, ensure I-9 compliance, and manage offboarding processes including exit interviews and separations.
- Manage intake and resolution of employee concerns, conduct internal investigations, and partner with the People Operations Manager to advise leaders on conflict resolution and appropriate actions.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state (including Chicago), and local employment laws and regulations.
- Assist with employee benefits enrollment, changes, and respond to employee inquiries in a timely manner.
- Support performance review cycles and assist managers with documentation and administration of performance improvement plans.
- Coordinate and track required compliance and professional development training programs to ensure completion and effectiveness.
- Partner with staffing agencies to ensure adherence to company policies, onboarding standards, and required training compliance.
- Partner with corporate teams to maintain HR systems, ensure data accuracy, and generate reports to support business needs.
- Communicate, interpret, and consistently enforce company policies and procedures across the organization.
- Administer employee leave programs and ensure compliance with applicable laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA and state-specific leave requirements).
- Support workplace safety initiatives, partner with operations on safety programs, and assist with workers’ compensation case management and tracking.
- May travel, as needed, to support People Operations initiatives at other locations, including out-of-state sites.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field preferred.
2-5 years of Human Resources, administrative, recruiting, or employee support experience required.
Knowledge of State and Federal Labor laws strongly preferred.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to speak and write in Spanish required.
Work Environment:
Office and food manufacturing environment depending on business needs.
- Will require walking the production floor and interacting with hourly workforce.
Why you should join our team:
- Power of Collaboration: Live our core values - "Own it", "Care about it", "Make it exceptional", and "Win together" - as we work together to create better food for everyone, the Japanese way.
- Competitive Rewards: Reap the benefits of a comprehensive compensation package with a bonus plan and group health benefits that recognize your outstanding contribution.
- Ignite Your Potential: Fuel your growth with extensive training and opportunities for career advancement, empowering you to unleash your full potential.
- Champion Diversity and Inclusion: We proudly celebrate and champion employment equity, diversity, and inclusion through our Affinity Committee, ensuring that every voice is empowered and heard.
- Lead the Sustainability Revolution: As part of our commitment to ESG, our Sustainability Committee drives our environmental initiatives and champions sustainable practices.
For more information about Bento Sushi and our opportunities, please visit www.bentosushi.com.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those candidates elected for an interview will be contacted. Special consideration will be given to applicants with previous experience working as a; Human Resources Coordinator, People Operations Coordinator, People Operations Specialist, Human Resources Generalist, HR Generalist, People and Culture Generalist, Employee Experience Specialist, People and Culture Advisor, HR Operations Specialist.
#bentoCA
See All 29 HR Operations Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find HR Operations Specialist JobsHR Operations Specialist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
HR Operations Specialist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Insurance
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in HR operations specialist jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field
- Proficiency in HRIS platforms such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, or Oracle HCM
- Experience supporting benefits administration, onboarding, or employee data management
- Knowledge of federal and Illinois employment law, including WARN Act and FMLA compliance
- Strong Excel and data reporting skills for workforce analytics and audits
- PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred by many Illinois employers at mid-level roles
HR Operations Specialist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a hr operations specialist in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers require a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field as the baseline qualification. Illinois does not issue a state license for HR operations specialists, so credentials such as the SHRM-CP or PHR certification from the HR Certification Institute carry the most weight in the local market. Building experience in payroll, HRIS administration, or benefits coordination at a Chicago-area company is the most common entry path.
How much do HR operations specialists make in Illinois?
HR operations specialists in Illinois earn a median of about $151,370 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $90,820 for the lowest 10% to over $267,520 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire hr operations specialists in Illinois?
Employers hiring hr operations specialists in Illinois right now include Wesco, Aon, and Atkore, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, large insurance carriers, and healthcare systems in the Chicago metro creates steady, recurring demand for this role year-round.
Which Illinois cities have the most hr operations specialist jobs?
Chicago, Alsip, and Illinois account for the largest share of hr operations specialist openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because of its density of corporate headquarters and large employers across finance, healthcare, and logistics, while suburban hubs like Naperville and Schaumburg attract openings from regional offices and insurance companies that cluster along the Interstate 88 corridor.
Are there remote hr operations specialist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most HR roles allow, since hr operations specialists who focus on HRIS administration, data audits, and benefits coordination can perform much of that work off-site. About 85% of hr operations specialist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of the role. Tasks involving in-person employee relations or onboarding coordination are most likely to require some on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a hr operations specialist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an HR coordinator or HR assistant role at a mid-size Chicago-area employer, where you gain hands-on exposure to HRIS systems, onboarding workflows, and benefits administration before moving into a specialist title. Large Illinois employers such as Advocate Health Care and Northern Trust run associate HR programs that target recent graduates. Earning the SHRM-CP or completing an HRIS platform certification in Workday or SAP SuccessFactors gives candidates without specialist experience a concrete credential that stands out in Illinois applications.
Where can I find and apply to hr operations specialist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to hr operations specialist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the roles available, identify the ones that match your background and target location, and apply directly through each listing. No account creation is required to search.
See All 29 HR Operations Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find HR Operations Specialist Jobs