HR Operations & Compliance Specialist

Open to local and international candidatesPURPOSE OF THE ROLEThe HR Operations & Compliance Lead functions as the System Owner and Compliance Guardian who guarantees the financial and legal integrity of the HR Service Team's operations. The role will provide essential Accounting/Finance expertise support and ensure the HR systems are configured securely, compliantly, and efficiently. The role is the organization's first line of defense against operational and system-based compliance failures.ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIESFinancial Accounting & ControlsDrive accounting reconciliation by owning the monthly general ledger (G/L) reconciliation for all payroll and HR-related expense accounts to ensure data accuracy and integrity between the HRIS and Finance systemsProvide financial controls, advisory support, and first-level interpretation on complex finance administration related to HR, including expense controls, budgeting support, and preparing documentation for financial auditsManage payroll tax filing compliance across all jurisdictions the organization operates in, coordinating with external payroll vendors and tax advisorsSupport the annual budget process by forecasting HR-related expenses (e.g., benefits, payroll taxes, compliance tools) and tracking departmental spending variancePartner with the Finance team to validate and process compensation data integrity changes, ensuring proper classification and reporting for accounting purposesDevelop and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all financially sensitive HR processes to ensure consistent execution and audit readinessSystem Ownership & HR IntegrityOversee system administration and integrity by owning the configuration, maintenance, and technical integrity of the core HRIS and Payroll/Compensation platforms, and leading all system upgrades and major configuration changesEnsure compliance implementation by documenting all day-to-day HR operational processes according to approved HR and legal policy standards, with an eye toward global compliance where applicableManage system integrations between the core HRIS and other platforms (e.g., Finance, Learning Management System) to ensure seamless data flowLead the annual policy review for all HR operations and system usage guidelinesTechnology & Compliance Focus Manage system security and controls by designing, auditing, and managing the security roles and permissions within the HRIS and payroll system to enforce strict process  and prevent financial fraudConduct regular access reviews for all HR systems to ensure all user roles and permissions are accurate, necessary, and adhere to strict security protocolsLead audit management by handling the technical preparation for all internal and external audits (Financial and HR compliance), ensuring complete and auditable activity logs for all sensitive system transactionsDrive tech policy alignment by partnering with IT to ensure all HR technology adoption and usage is fully compliant with the organization's broader IT security policies (e.g., security patches, password standards)Use AI-powered tools and automation to enhance data analysis, storytelling, and reporting efficiencyREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS3+ years of progressive experience in HR Operations, Payroll Administration, or HRIS Analyst roles.Demonstrated understanding of global HR compliance and data privacy regulations as they impact system configuration and process documentationStrong working knowledge or educational background in Accounting or Finance principles as they relate to general ledger, expense reconciliation, and internal controls.Demonstrated experience managing data privacy and reporting security risksProven experience partnering cross-functionally with Finance, IT Security, and Legal teams to drive system integrity and audit readinessExpert-level knowledge of HRIS configuration and managementDemonstrated experience in applying financial control standards  to HR systems and dataCommitment to equity, psychological safety, and values-driven decision-makingStrong command of written and spoken English (US)Interested in and committed to being part of positive change in the world, with an eagerness to learn and develop new skills