HR Compliance Specialist

Position Summary

The HR Compliance Specialist is responsible for ensuring compliance with HR policies, internal controls, and regulatory requirements, with a primary focus on HR system workflow approvals and benefits administration. This role plays a critical role in audit readiness by enforcing approval protocols, maintaining documentation, and ensuring accurate and compliant administration of employee benefits programs.

Key Responsibilities

HR Compliance & Workflow Approvals

• Review, approve, and monitor HR system workflows (e.g., UKG), including employee changes, access requests, and benefits‑related transactions, in accordance with established approval protocols.
• Ensure approvals follow documented processes and meet internal control and audit requirements.
• Maintain segregation of duties and role‑based access controls within the HR system.
• Document workflow approvals and retain audit‑ready evidence for internal and external audits.
• Evaluate HR processes for compliance risks and recommend corrective actions.
• Partner with HR leadership, Payroll, Finance, and IT to align compliance standards and controls.
• Track and manage

Benefits Administration

• Administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, and wellness plans.
• Manage benefits eligibility, enrollments, life event changes, and terminations.
• Coordinate COBRA administration and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
• Support annual open enrollment, including assisting with system configuration, auditing enrollments, and employee communications.
• Conduct regular audits of benefits deductions and carrier invoices; resolve discrepancies with vendors and Payroll.
• Serve as a liaison with benefits vendors, brokers, and carriers.

Audit & Regulatory Support

• Support HR, benefits, financial, and SOX‑related audits by preparing reports, documentation, and audit evidence.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and FMLA.
• Maintain policies, procedures, and control documentation related to HR systems and benefits administration.
• Track audit findings and ensure timely remediation.

HR Systems & Data Integrity

• Ensure accurate maintenance of employee and benefits data within the HRIS.
• Run compliance and audit reports as requested by leadership or auditors.
• Assist with testing system upgrades, workflow changes, and control enhancements.
• Monitor data accuracy between HRIS, payroll, and benefits vendors.

Employee & Stakeholder Support

• Provide guidance to employees and HR partners on benefits, compliance requirements, and HR workflow processes.
• Assist with training and communication related to HR compliance and benefit programs.
• Respond to benefits and compliance inquiries with professionalism and discretion.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Compliance, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in HR compliance, benefits administration, or HR operations.
• Working knowledge of HRIS platforms (UKG or Oracle preferred).
• Strong understanding of HR compliance regulations and audit principles.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing and approving HR system workflows.
• High attention to detail and strong documentation skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• SHRM‑CP/SHRM‑SCP, PHR/SPHR, or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP).
• Experience supporting internal, external, or SOX audits.
• Payroll and benefits system integration experience.

Core Competencies

• HR compliance and internal controls
• Workflow governance and approvals
• Benefits administration and reconciliation
• Audit readiness and documentation
• Risk assessment and process improvement
• Cross‑functional collaboration

Success Indicators

• Clean audit results with minimal findings
• Timely and compliant workflow approvals
• Accurate benefits administration and billing
• Strong documentation and process adherence