Specialist, HR Compliance

Build-A-Bear•St. Louis, MO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The HR Compliance Specialist is the first dedicated owner of multi-state HR compliance for Build-A-Bear, covering federal, state, and local employment requirements across every jurisdiction where the company operates. This role builds and owns the enterprise compliance calendar, monitors regulatory change, and converts compliance from reactive discovery to a managed, audit-ready process. The HR Compliance Specialist ensures compliance obligations are tracked, met, and documented, with clear escalation to HR leadership and Legal when risks emerge.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
5+ years of progressive HR compliance, HR generalist, or employment law support experience with a multi-state employer
Working knowledge of FLSA and wage and hour requirements, state paid leave laws, ADA, I-9/E-Verify (IRCA), EEO reporting, and OSHA recordkeeping
Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and apply regulatory guidance rather than only process paperwork
Strong documentation discipline with a commitment to audit-defensible file and record management
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously across jurisdictions without misses
Excellent written communication for compliance correspondence, agency responses, and internal guidance
Strong attention to detail and sound judgment on when to escalate to HR leadership or Legal

Nice To Haves

Multi-state retail, restaurant, or hospitality industry experience
Experience building or managing a compliance calendar, audit program, or regulatory tracking process
HRIS proficiency; UKG Pro experience a plus
Experience with unemployment claims administration and hearing preparation
Exposure to Puerto Rico or Canada employment requirements
HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR)

Responsibilities

Track and manage minimum wage and paid sick leave requirements across approximately 35 states, local ordinances, and Puerto Rico, coordinating rate changes and policy updates with HRIS, Payroll, and field leadership.
Build and maintain the enterprise HR compliance calendar covering all recurring federal, state, and local filing, posting, and reporting obligations.
Facilitate the ADA reasonable accommodation process, including interactive process coordination, documentation review, and audit-defensible file maintenance.
Administer I-9 and E-Verify compliance for all hiring locations, including re-verification tracking and periodic internal audits with documented remediation.
Prepare and file EEO-1 and state equivalent reports accurately and on time.
Complete workers’ compensation state reporting and OSHA 300 recordkeeping and posting requirements.
Monitor state-specific final pay requirements, including California, and partner with Payroll and store operations on timely, accurate issuance.
Administer unemployment claims, including timely responses, hearing preparation support, and documentation quality improvement.
Maintain labor law poster compliance across all office, warehouse, and store locations.
Conduct internal HR audits, track remediation to completion, and maintain audit-ready documentation across all areas of scope.
Monitor federal, state, and local regulatory change, assess impact, and escalate emerging risks with recommended actions to HR leadership and Legal.
Partner with HRIS, Payroll, and Benefits to ensure systems and processes support compliance requirements.
Provide compliance guidance and training to HR business partners, District Managers, and field leadership.