Director, HR Policy and Compliance

Johns Hopkins University; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director for HR Policy and Compliance to ensure adherence to HR regulations and best practices. This pivotal role involves collaborating with legal and HR teams to develop compliant policies and conducting audits to enhance policy effectiveness. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in HR policy development, excellent communication skills, and a keen understanding of employment laws. If you're passionate about shaping HR practices in a dynamic environment, this opportunity offers a chance to make a significant impact while leading compliance initiatives and policy enhancements.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in HR policy development and compliance.
• Strong understanding of employment laws and HR best practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain HR policies in line with regulations.
• Conduct HR policy audits and recommend improvements.

Skills

HR policy development

regulatory compliance

analytical skills

communication skills

problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

online policy documentation systems

Job description

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Employee and Labor Relations & HR Policy, we are seeking a Director, HR Policy and Compliance responsible for ensuring compliance with all HR regulatory functions, maintaining and updating HR policies and processes, and providing best-practice consulting on HR policy and compliance matters. This role collaborates closely with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and HR Centers of Excellence (COEs), including Talent Acquisition, Benefits, and Employment Law, to develop and implement HR policies that align with university guidelines and legal requirements. The Director serves as a key advisor to HR leadership on regulatory and compliance matters.

This role is integral to the university’s commitment to maintaining a compliant, transparent, and well-communicated HR policy framework. The Director, HR Policy and Compliance will be a key driver of HR policy effectiveness and regulatory adherence, ensuring a consistent and legally sound approach to HR policy management across the institution.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and update HR policies and procedures in alignment with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as university objectives.
• Develop and maintain a policy review process for all HR policies.
• Partner with the Office of General Counsel, other university policy stakeholders, and HR COEs to ensure HR policies are legally compliant and effectively implemented across the university.
• Act as a subject matter expert on HR regulatory compliance, providing guidance and recommendations to HR leadership and stakeholders. Collaborate with HR Business Partners, Employee and Labor Relations, and other stakeholders to provide clarity on HR policy interpretation and application.
• Monitor and analyze changes in HR compliance regulations to ensure university policies are updated accordingly.
• Conduct policy research and regularly assess and update existing HR policy and other HR documents, keeping abreast of new emerging policy trends and identifying opportunities for policy harmonization and standardization.
• Manage revisions to the employee handbook, ensuring handbook and policies are up-to-date and meet all regulatory, legal, and industry best practices.
• Ensure the effective communication and implementation of new or revised HR policies through training, documentation, and strategic change management efforts in coordination with the Strategic Communications team.
• Maintain and update the HR Policies website, including inventory of policies and related documentation to ensure accessibility and accuracy for employees and managers.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including process maps and governance documents, to support HR operations and compliance initiatives.
• Monitor and assess the compliance and effectiveness of existing policies and recommend improvements based on industry best practices and organizational needs.
• Conduct periodic HR policy and compliance audits to identify gaps and mitigate risks, ensuring corrective actions are implemented as needed.
• Partner with procurement and legal teams to review and ensure compliance in HR-related vendor contracts and agreements.
• Work with IT and HRIS teams to ensure HR data privacy policies align with legal and institutional requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Legal Studies, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in HR policy development, compliance, or a related HR function.
• Additional education may substitute for experience and additional experience may substitute for education, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong understanding of employment laws, regulatory compliance, and HR best practices.
• Experience conducting research to support policy development.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and policy language into clear, accessible content.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with legal counsel, HR professionals, and senior leadership.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience managing online policy documentation systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent years of education experience in HR policy, compliance, or employment law.

Classified Title: Director HR Policy & Compliance
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director, HR Policy and Compliance
Role/Level/Range: L/04/LG
Starting Salary Range: $111,800 - $195,900 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F/8:30-5:00
FLSA Status: No SAP Value
Location: Hybrid/Eastern High Campus
Department name: Employee and Labor Relations
Personnel area: University Administration