HR Operations and Compliance Manager

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

Conservation International is seeking a highly organized and detail‑oriented HR Operations & Compliance Manager to join the People & Culture team. This position will help strengthen and modernize the systems that support our global mission. This role manages the U.S. HR operational foundation—including employment compliance, onboarding and offboarding, personnel documentation, data accuracy, and consistent application of HR policies.

The ideal candidate brings strong judgment, an appreciation for process discipline, and a commitment to delivering a high‑quality, human‑centered employee experience. They excel at creating order, building repeatable systems, partnering across functions, and ensuring HR practices are compliant, efficient, and audit‑ready.

As Conservation International prepares for future digital transformation, this role will play a key part in establishing the clean processes and data foundations needed for long‑term success. This is an excellent opportunity for a mission‑driven HR operations professional who thrives in both structure and continuous improvement.

• Lead U.S. HR compliance programs, including work authorization (I‑9/E‑Verify), required postings, and adherence to state and federal employment regulations.
• Support the Senior Director in maintaining and updating HR policies, SOPs, and process documentation to ensure consistency and regulatory alignment.
• Partner with internal stakeholders on compliance risks, required updates, and new regulatory obligations.
• Conduct regular audits of HR documentation, personnel files, and HR data.

• Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes to ensure timely, consistent, and positive experiences.
• Manage employment documentation, including offer letters and change letters, using approved templates.
• Ensure accurate processing of employee lifecycle changes in HR systems.
• Maintain secure and compliant personnel files and document retention schedules.

• Oversee HR data accuracy, including job data, classification, personnel changes, and required fields.
• Partner with Total Rewards/HRIS team on data reconciliation and system alignment.
• Validate and publish monthly HR metrics and operational reports.

• Supervise, coach, and develop the Senior HR Coordinator.
• Establish clear quality standards for HR operations and service delivery.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

• This position is based in Arlington, Virginia, with a hybrid work schedule.
• Ability to sit or stand at a workstation for extended periods.
• No unusual physical requirements.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or related field.
• 4 to 6 years of HR operations, compliance, or HRIS experience.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. employment laws and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing onboarding/offboarding, HR documentation, and employee data workflows.
• High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.

• Experience in a nonprofit or multi‑state organization.
• Experience working in a global organization.
• Experience supporting HR system transitions or ERP readiness.
• Familiarity with HRIS platforms (Workday experience is a plus).
• Supervisory or team‑lead experience.

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Conservation International is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We believe in hiring based on merit and qualifications, ensuring a fair and inclusive hiring process for everyone.