As per my understanding, HR generalist is a job profile which requires a candidate to be professionally trained in a gamut of HR functions like Training, Recruitment, Administration of Compensation and Benefits etc. It is much broader in nature and is also known as Line Hr in common parlance. A candidate having a generalist profile would be responsible to look after the entire HR needs of the employees who fall under his purveiw.HR executive is a designation given to a candidate who has a generalist profile in a company. He may or may not be professionally trained in HR. He would basically be assisting the line HR by taking care of the peripheral activities like documentation, maintaing employee database for payroll, attendance and other activities ect. He plays a secondary role in helping HR reach a higher efficiency level. I hope this has brought some clarity.