HR Compliance Manager

Jackson Walker•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Compliance Manager is responsible for overseeing Jackson Walker's firmwide leave of absence programs and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and Firm policies. This role serves as the subject-matter expert for leave administration, working closely with employees, managers, and HR leadership to deliver a consistent, compliant, and employee-centered leave experience. Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this position plays a critical role in managing regulatory compliance, mitigating risk, and supporting the Firm's commitment to operational excellence and employee well-being.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
Minimum 3 years of experience administering employee leave programs and ensuring compliance with employment laws.
Demonstrated experience managing FMLA and multi-state leave programs required; law firm or professional services experience preferred.
Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local leave laws and employment regulations.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and sensitive matters.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgment and attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex policies clearly and professionally.
High degree of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information.
Proficiency in HRIS platforms, leave administration systems, and Microsoft Office 365.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience managing FMLA and multi-state leave programs required; law firm or professional services experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer all firmwide leave programs, including but not limited to FMLA, ADA accommodations, short-term disability, parental leave, secondary leaves, military leave, and applicable state and local leave programs.
Partner with the Benefits Department on long-term disability administration.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employees and managers regarding leave eligibility, processes, timelines, and documentation requirements.
Review and assess leave requests, determine eligibility, and ensure appropriate documentation is obtained and maintained.
Track leave usage, manage return-to-work processes, and coordinate transitional or accommodation needs as applicable.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws related to leave, accommodations, and wage and hour considerations as they intersect with leave administration.
Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting leave administration and recommend policy or process updates as needed.
Maintain accurate records and documentation to support compliance, audits, and internal reviews.
Partner with HR leadership to address complex leave situations and mitigate potential exposure.
Coordinate and manage pre-employment background checks through RAI (vendor).
Work with PG Leaders to run client-driven background checks.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws (e.g., FCRA) governing background screening.
Maintain accurate records and documentation of all background check processes.
Communicate results to HR; escalate to HR leadership if needed.
Develop, implement, and maintain HR compliance policies and procedures aligned with federal, state, and local regulations.
Monitor legislative and regulatory changes; advise leadership on necessary updates.
Conduct regular audits of HR processes (e.g., onboarding, payroll, benefits, employee relations) to ensure compliance.
Oversee compliance with EEOC, ADA, FMLA, wage and hour laws, and other employment regulations.
Provide training and guidance to HR staff and managers on compliance topics and best practices.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws related to leave, accommodations, and wage and hour consideration as they intersect with leave administration.
Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting leave administration and recommend policy or process updates as needed.
Maintain accurate records and documentation to support compliance, audits, and internal reviews.
Partner with HR leadership to address complex leave situations and mitigate potential exposure.
Answer questionnaires and survey questions related to HR policies.
Develop, review, and maintain leave-related policies, procedures, and employee communications.
Create standardized tools, templates, and workflows to ensure consistent application of leave practices across the Firm.
Identify opportunities to streamline leave administration processes and improve the employee experience through automation or system enhancements.
Support HRIS system configuration related to leave tracking and reporting.
Advise managers and HR business partners on leave-related matters, accommodations, and compliance considerations.
Provide guidance on sensitive or complex employee situations requiring discretion and sound judgment.
Deliver training and education to managers and employees on leave policies, compliance requirements, and best practices.
Prepare reports and metrics related to leave utilization, trends, and compliance for HR leadership.
Analyze data to identify patterns, risks, or opportunities for improvement.