Specialist, HR Compliance

The HR Compliance Specialist is the first dedicated owner of multi-state HR compliance for Build-A-Bear, covering federal, state, and local employment requirements across every jurisdiction where the company operates. This role builds and owns the enterprise compliance calendar, monitors regulatory change, and converts compliance from reactive discovery to a managed, audit-ready process. The HR Compliance Specialist ensures compliance obligations are tracked, met, and documented, with clear escalation to HR leadership and Legal when risks emerge.

Responsibilities:

• Track and manage minimum wage and paid sick leave requirements across approximately 35 states, local ordinances, and Puerto Rico, coordinating rate changes and policy updates with HRIS, Payroll, and field leadership.
• Build and maintain the enterprise HR compliance calendar covering all recurring federal, state, and local filing, posting, and reporting obligations.
• Facilitate the ADA reasonable accommodation process, including interactive process coordination, documentation review, and audit-defensible file maintenance.
• Administer I-9 and E-Verify compliance for all hiring locations, including re-verification tracking and periodic internal audits with documented remediation.
• Prepare and file EEO-1 and state equivalent reports accurately and on time.
• Complete workers’ compensation state reporting and OSHA 300 recordkeeping and posting requirements.
• Monitor state-specific final pay requirements, including California, and partner with Payroll and store operations on timely, accurate issuance.
• Administer unemployment claims, including timely responses, hearing preparation support, and documentation quality improvement.
• Maintain labor law poster compliance across all office, warehouse, and store locations.
• Conduct internal HR audits, track remediation to completion, and maintain audit-ready documentation across all areas of scope.
• Monitor federal, state, and local regulatory change, assess impact, and escalate emerging risks with recommended actions to HR leadership and Legal.
• Partner with HRIS, Payroll, and Benefits to ensure systems and processes support compliance requirements.
• Provide compliance guidance and training to HR business partners, District Managers, and field leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• 5+ years of progressive HR compliance, HR generalist, or employment law support experience with a multi-state employer
• Working knowledge of FLSA and wage and hour requirements, state paid leave laws, ADA, I-9/E-Verify (IRCA), EEO reporting, and OSHA recordkeeping
• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and apply regulatory guidance rather than only process paperwork
• Strong documentation discipline with a commitment to audit-defensible file and record management
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously across jurisdictions without misses
• Excellent written communication for compliance correspondence, agency responses, and internal guidance
• Strong attention to detail and sound judgment on when to escalate to HR leadership or Legal

Preferred Qualifications:

• Multi-state retail, restaurant, or hospitality industry experience
• Experience building or managing a compliance calendar, audit program, or regulatory tracking process
• HRIS proficiency; UKG Pro experience a plus
• Experience with unemployment claims administration and hearing preparation
• Exposure to Puerto Rico or Canada employment requirements
• HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR)

Behavioral Traits for Success:

• Structured, systematic workstyle
• Deep, evidence-driven thinking
• Precision-focused quality mindset
• Proactive risk identification
• Self-directed analytical approach
• Methodical, logic-based choices
• Steady, controlled performance
• Strong ownership of task completion

Working Environment:

• Typical office environment with climate control and sufficient lighting, ergonomic desk/chairs
• Corporate Office located St. Louis, MO
• Up to 10% overnight domestic travel may be required

Your Performance Will Be Measured On:

Your performance will be measured by your ability to achieve annual department objectives and corporate goals which include but are not limited to the following:

• Decision-making, judgment, and execution
• Clear and thorough communication, both spoken and written, with internal and external vendors
• Timeliness and follow-up
• Problem solving and removing obstacles
• Planning and organization
• Building strong relationships with cross-functional team members
• Tenacity and commitment to tasks
• Internal and external stakeholder feedback