HR Compliance Manager in Chicago, Illinois

HR Compliance Manager

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive. Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm. Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career. Let's see what we can achieve. Together.

The HR Compliance Manager leads the firm's employment compliance function, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local employment laws, regulatory requirements, and internal policies. As the HR Compliance Manager, you will focus on strengthening and continuously improving HR policies, procedures, and practices through proactive risk assessment, audits, training, and advisory support. You will be serving as a trusted subject matter expert, partner closely with leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to identify compliance risks, recommend solutions, and support informed decision-making.

While the role does not include direct people management, it requires strong ownership of compliance processes, influence across the organization, and execution of firmwide compliance initiatives.

This position can sit in our Chicago, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Raleigh, Reston, San Diego, Seattle, Short Hills, Washington DC, or Wilmington office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Employment Law & Regulatory Compliance
• Policy, Documentation & Governance
• Compliance Planning, Audits & Risk Management
• Training, Education & Ongoing Compliance Monitoring
• Reporting, Metrics & Statutory Filings
• HR Systems, Technology & Process Alignment
• Stakeholder Communication & Strategic Alignment

Desired

Skills:

Deep proficiency in federal, state, and local employment laws. Ability to interpret legal requirements and translate them into clear, actionable HR policies. Skilled in drafting, reviewing, and updating compliance documentation and related communications. Experience conducting internal audits of HR practices and procedures. Ability to identify compliance risks and recommend corrective actions. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Capable of successfully developing and delivering compliance training programs.

Proficient in analyzing data and trends to identify compliance gaps. Ability to synthesize complex legal information into practical guidance. High level of accuracy in reviewing documentation and maintaining accurate records. Vigilant in monitoring regulatory changes and ensuring timely updates. Demonstrates discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive, confidential and privileged information. Upholds ethical standards and promotes a culture of compliance and accountability.

Familiarity with HRIS systems (Workday preferred) and compliance tracking tools. Intermediate level skill in using reporting tools, including Microsoft Excel, and databases to manage compliance metrics. Skilled at cultivating and sustaining strong relationships with key stakeholders across all levels of the organization. Ability to work independently and influences cross-functional teams without direct authority. Demonstrates exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple compliance tasks, deadlines, and documentation with accuracy and efficiency.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field.

Certificates:
Professional certifications (e.g., PHR, or SPHR) preferred.

Minimum Years of

Experience:

10+ years of experience in HR compliance.

Essential Job Expectations:

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.
• Foster positive work relationships.
• Comply with all firm policies and practices.
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.

Physical Demands:
Sedentary work:
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise…