HR Compliance and Risk Manager

Hancock Whitney•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

The HR Compliance and Risk Manager serves as the subject matter expert for HR compliance, policy governance, and risk management, ensuring adherence to employment laws, regulatory requirements, and internal controls across the associate lifecycle. The role partners with HR, Legal, Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit, and business leaders to mitigate company risk, lead audits and examinations, and drive process improvements that enhance compliance and operational effectiveness. The position oversees HR compliance programs, risk controls, SOX and internal control testing, audit and examination responses, and compliance-related reporting. It also advises on employment-related litigation, complex employee relations matters, HR policies and procedures, data privacy and recordkeeping risks, and HR integration during mergers and acquisitions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Legal Studies, Risk Management, or equivalent related experience.
At least 6 years of experience in HR compliance, internal audit, or HR risk management roles; preferably in a highly regulated industry.
Deep knowledge of employment law and HR risk frameworks.
Familiarity with SOX or equivalent internal control environments.
Strong verbal and written communication, documentation, analytical, and risk reporting skills.
Experience working with HRIS and data privacy regulations.
Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and manage sensitive information.
Ability to use Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to work under stress and meet deadlines.
Ability to travel if required to perform the essential job functions.
Ability to operate related equipment, read and interpret documents, and lift, move, or carry approximately 10 pounds if required to perform the essential job functions.

Nice To Haves

SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, CCEP, CRMA, or CIA certification.
Experience in a highly regulated industry.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary HR subject matter expert for employment-related litigation matters, policy interpretation, and complex employee relations issues, partnering with Associate Relations, Legal, Compliance, HR Business Partners, and business leaders.
Monitor federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, assess their impact, and implement required updates to policies, procedures, practices, and organizational communications.
Develop and administer the HR Risk control process, coordinating input from control owners across key HR functions and ensuring risks and controls are appropriately documented and managed.
Act as the primary HR partner for Internal Audit, Legal, Compliance, and Risk Management on HR audits, SOX reviews, regulatory examinations, risk assessments, and remediation activities.
Oversee execution of SOX and HR-related internal control testing, including documentation, issue resolution, and remediation of identified control gaps.
Research emerging legal, regulatory, and industry developments and recommend actions to maintain compliance readiness and reduce organizational risk.
Serve as the subject matter expert for HR policies, procedures, standard operating procedures, handbooks, risks, controls, and audit responses.
Track, analyze, and report compliance, audit, risk, and control metrics, providing dashboards and recommendations to HR and executive leadership.
Partner with HR Technology, Information Security, and business stakeholders to evaluate and mitigate compliance risks related to data access, reporting, retention, privacy, and recordkeeping.
Support HR integration during M&A events, including HR due diligence, controls mapping, risk assessments, and compliance alignment.
Identify compliance, governance, and control gaps and implement continuous improvement solutions to improve efficiency, strengthen controls, and mitigate risk.