HR Operations Compliance Manager

The HR Operations Compliance Manager leads HR Operations compliance, internal controls, and continuous improvement for payroll, leave administration, and accommodations. This role provides people leadership for the leave and accommodations team; ensures policies, processes, and systems enable accurate, timely, and compliant service delivery; partners cross-functionally (Payroll, Leave Administration, HRIS, Finance, and vendors) to manage risk and audit readiness; monitors vendor performance and service levels;

serves as an escalation point for complex payroll questions; and delivers reporting to support operational and compliance needs.

Day in the life
:
In a typical day, the HR Operations Compliance Manager
...

HR Operations Compliance & Governance
:
Deploys and leads compliant, standardized processes and internal controls across assigned functional areas (e.g., payroll, leave administration and accommodations, and HR operations compliance), ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.

People Leadership
:

Develops and leads the leave administration and accommodations team in effectiveness, performance, service delivery, and compliance.

Relationship Management
:
Manages relationships with internal partners and external vendors to ensure effective service delivery, strong risk controls, and a strong return on investment.

• Compliance and Reporting: Oversees compliance activities, internal controls, and internal/external reporting for assigned processes.
• Pay range: $109,870 - $134,285
• This is a flexible-hybrid role whose essential functions allow the employee to primarily work from a personal home office but also require the employee to work at a physical GESMN or partner facility as business needs require, sometimes with great urgency and little notice.
• Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota prioritizes work-life balance. We offer competitive pay, flexible hours, generous paid time off (PTO) program, competitive medical, dental and vision plans, employer‑paid life insurance, 401(k) plan with employer match, and an employee discount!

About You:

Required Knowledge &

Skills:

• Strong ability to interpret and apply payroll, wage/hour, and leave‑related requirements; translate requirements into practical processes, controls, and documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and partner effectively with leaders and cross‑functional teams.
• Experience designing and improving workflows, including documentation, job aids, controls, and change management.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, including advanced Excel and the ability to validate data integrity, identify trends, and communicate insights.
• Ability to lead compliant practices through clear policies, standardized workflows, effective issue escalation, and stakeholder communications.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to deliver consistent, equitable employee experiences.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and maintain accurate, audit‑ready records.
• People leadership skills, including coaching, performance management, and building high‑performing teams.

Prior Experience &

Education:

• 2+ years of people leadership experience required.
• 4+ years of HR Operations and/or payroll administration experience required; experience supporting a complex, multi‑location environment preferred.
• Experience working with payroll/HRIS platforms (e.g., UKG/Ulti Pro and/or Dayforce) preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Operations, or related field preferred (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. GESMN will not discriminate against any employee or applicant based upon a person’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, age, sexual or affectional orientation, gender identity, familial status, ancestry, local human rights commission activity, citizenship, genetic information, protected veteran or military status, or any other categories protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.