Senior HR Compliance Specialist

Graco•Minneapolis, MN

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. This role is currently based at our Minneapolis office and will transition to our new headquarters in Dayton, MN, in 2027. The Senior HR Compliance Specialist supports the organization’s HR compliance program by translating labor and employment requirements into clear policies, procedures, training and operational controls. They will be responsible for building enterprise-wide frameworks, resources, and toolkits to enable consistent, scalable and compliant HR practices. The Senior HR Compliance Specialist will monitor regulatory developments, assess compliance risks, support audits and required reporting, and partner with HR Service Center, HRIS, Legal, Payroll, Benefits and others to maintain consistent practices across the organization. This role will initially focus on U.S. compliance, with partnership support for other regions. Reporting to the Senior Manager, HR Operations, this role requires strong research, analytical, communication, and policy-writing skills, along with the judgment to assess and prioritize risks and recommend practical solutions.

Requirements

Five or more years of experience in HR compliance, HR operations, employee relations, employment-law support, or a related HR function.
Working knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local employment requirements, including Form I-9, leave administration, employee records, required notices and other regulated HR processes.
Experience drafting or maintaining HR policies, procedures, training materials or employee communications.
Experience supporting compliance audits, reviewing operational controls, documenting findings or tracking corrective actions.
Ability to lead projects and influence cross-functional stakeholders without direct supervisory authority.
Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential employee information and sensitive compliance matters.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Legal Studies, or a related field or equivalent related experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Workday.
Experience supporting a global workforce.
Experience with workforce reporting, government filings, or compliance programs such as EEO-1, VETS-4212, affirmative action or state pay-data reporting.
SHRM-CP, PHR, or a comparable HR or compliance certification.

Responsibilities

Own HR compliance and policy management in partnership with Legal and HR leadership
Monitor changes in federal, state and local employment requirements.
Draft, review, and maintain HR policies, procedures and employee guidance.
Translate regulatory requirements into clear operational standards and controls.
Maintain compliance calendars, policy review cycles and required documentation.
Escalate high-risk or complex matters to HR leadership and Legal.
Manage audits, controls, and compliance reporting
Coordinate and support internal audits, external audits and regulatory inquiries.
Review compliance in areas such as Form I-9, leave administration, employee records, required notices and workforce reporting.
Identify control gaps, document findings, and track corrective actions through completion.
Develop metrics and reports that summarize compliance risks, findings and remediation progress.
Build compliance awareness and scalable practices
Develop and maintain an HR compliance governance model, including role clarity, process ownership, escalation paths, documentation standards and recurring review routines.
Develop and deliver compliance training for HR teams, managers and employees.
Create practical job aids, process guidance and communications for regulated HR activities.
Support compliance assessments for new jurisdictions as the role expands.
Own the framework and governance for employee investigations
Build an enterprise-wide toolkit and resources to enable consistency across divisions and companies.
Serve as Tier 3 support for sensitive or cross-functional employee investigations.