HR Risk Operations Compliance Manager

The HR Risk Operations Compliance Manager serves as a key member of the National Employee Relations and Risk Operations team, partnering across People Experience, Legal, Compliance, Risk, Payroll, Finance, HRIS, and business leadership to strengthen HR risk management, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness.

This role is responsible for translating complex employment, workplace conduct, and operational requirements into practical programs, policies, controls, and guidance that support the Firm’s people strategy while mitigating risk.

The Manager leads high-priority initiatives across compliance monitoring, policy governance, workforce risk analysis, health and safety, employee communications, and process improvement, while ensuring work is executed with strong judgment, discretion, and attention to detail.

This position requires a proactive, business-minded leader who can manage multiple workstreams, assess emerging risks, develop defensible processes, and deliver clear, audience-appropriate communications and training.

The HR Risk Operations Compliance Manager plays a critical role in supporting firmwide compliance initiatives, advising on complex people-related operational matters, and building scalable tools, reporting, and governance practices that promote consistency, accountability, and a culture of compliance across the organization.

The HR Risk Operations & Compliance Manager serves as a key member of the People & Culture team in support of firm-wide goals and objectives. This role will report to the Associate Director of HR Risk Operations.

Key responsibilities

• HR Regulatory Program Manager Track new labor and employment laws which may impact Firm policies; drive development of processes and procedures related to legal and business changes
• Design, build and implement risk management monitoring programs and adjust risk controls to align with risk appetite
• Lead the development and execution of new programs, identifying areas of potential vulnerability and recommend innovative solutions
• Oversee firmwide Affirmative Action program, including OFCCP audit response and vendor management
• Serve as HR Program Manager for firmwide compliance programs, trainings and employment policies
• Understand and communicate cross-functional impacts to new/refined operational processes
• HR Risk Operations Partner with Global HR teams to drive HR compliance risk controls and framework in line with firm risk appetite
• Large scale HR Program Management to include new multinational firms
• Responsible for ensuring that the firm’s HR risk monitoring framework is robust, effective, and responsive to regulatory changes and business needs
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and research white papers related to Risk Operations and emerging HR trends
• Serve as key member in firmwide compliance projects, including workforce analysis, Respect in the Workplace training, Compliance Questionnaire and other high priority/confidential projects, in collaboration with P&C/Legal stakeholders
• Draft and deliver employee-facing communications, frequently asked questions and intranet pages related to personnel policies and procedures
• Develop and deliver training for People Experience team on regulatory, risk mitigation, and performance management best practices
• Lead adverse impact analysis for business optimization exercises
• Develop technical tools for utilization across P&C
• Project manage business optimization exercises, including project plan, daily standups, and risk analysis calls
• Lead Risk Management strategic priorities and provide short/long term solutions to solve for complex business challenges
• Act as SME for policy escalations from P&C and cross-functional teams
• Collaborate with other ICS functions, including Finance & Payroll, to drive synergies, ensure cohesion in firmwide policies, while leading risk management priorities
• Act as escalation point for client-related onboarding and background investigation matters, as well as contract review
• Provide day to day work instruction/ direction for global data analytics team member
• Policy Governance Own the development and maintenance of employment policies.
• Partner with Legal and Compliance to ensure global policy alignment.
• Drive policy harmonization across multinational firms and acquired entities.
• Training & Operational Excellence
• Leads the development of internal training to address identified areas of potential vulnerability with creative solutions, fostering culture of compliance and risk mitigation throughout multinational firm
• Program Management of firmwide HR compliance trainings
• Support leadership in executing P&C strategic plan in relation to operational excellence consistent with industry standards
• Recommends remediation actions and process improvements based on quality audit and monitoring findings
• Define and implement HR compliance strategies, set monitoring controls, and drive synergies to address high-risk areas.
• Identifies emerging trends and risk, recommending improvement/action plans for universal HR compliance standards
• Manage AI-related risks in HR by following firm and regulatory governance, monitoring compliance, and refining guidelines
• HR Workforce Analytics, Risk Strategy & Workforce Management
• Partner with Global HR teams, drive high priority merger and acquisition integration workstreams related to HR Risk Operations
• Identify opportunities for automation and reporting enhancements for Risk Operations focus areas, leveraging Power Automation, Power Queries and PowerBI
• Conduct adverse impact analyses across hiring, promotions, terminations, and other employment decisions to present leadership.
• Perform statistical analysis to determine whether differences between demographic groups and present executive summaries to stakeholders
• Build and maintain automated tracking tools that interface with multiple data sources and existing trackers, streamlining workflows, improving data integrity, and enabling real-time reporting and insights
• Provides regular and ad hoc reports with heat map of trends, and emerging risks and dashboards
• Health & Safety Oversee management of health and safety procedures and policies, including infectious disease and workplace violence safety programs
• Monitor ongoing regulatory updates including OSHA standards, injury and illness prevention programs and government contractor compliance
• Assist with real-time response during crisis matters such as natural disasters, including drafting employee-facing communications and compiling resources for impacted employees

The ideal candidate will be

• A business ‑ minded HR Risk &Compliance professional who excels at statistical workplaceanalysis, internal/external HR compliance and process management with impeccable planning, coordination, and follow ‑ through.
• Operationally rigorous, detail‑accurate, and deadline‑reliable in a fast‑moving, matrixed environment.
• Analytical, comfortable with metrics and translating data into clear executive summaries , timelines, and stakeholder guidance.
• A concise, audience‑aware communicator who can write, edit, and sequence communications that drive clarity and action.
• A strong collaborator across Legal/Compliance, People & Culture, Technology/HRIS, People Experience and Inclusion teams; adept at role clarity and RACI management.
• Comfortable and integrity driven professional with experience in handling highly confidential information, sound judgment, and executive ‑ facing professionalism.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess

• 6–8 years of progressive experience in Compliance, HR program management, PMO/operations, or organizational effectiveness (professional services experience a plus).
• Hands ‑ on experience building and managing complex program plans (e.g., Smartsheet), SOPs, and process documentation.
• Advanced data and reporting skills (Excel/Power BI or similar) and experience supporting various systems
• Proficiency with MS Office, SharePoint/Teams, and content maintenance on intranet site.
• Strong written and verbal communication; experience drafting broad ‑ reach communications, policies, FAQs, research papers and leader talking points and briefings.
• Regulatory reporting experience
• People management experience preferred.
• The base salary range for this position is between $112,000 and $160,0
• 0. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job -related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity.
• At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

About Us

At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.

In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.

In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices.

With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.

Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.

About The Team

The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how: Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.

Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household. We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different — and we think that’s a good thing.

That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at www.gt.com/careers When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes.

Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careersHere’s what you can expect next: If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at www.gt.com/careers.

Benefits

We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you.

For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefitsBenefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program.

Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.

Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements.

Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave. Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.

Additional Details

It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities.

All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact HRHelp@us.gt.com.

For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.