HR Compliance and Risk Manager

Hancock Whitney Corp.; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hancock Whitney Corp. in Gulfport, MS, seeks an HR Compliance and Risk Manager who serves as the subject matter expert for HR compliance, policy governance, and risk management across the associate lifecycle.

You will partner with HR, Legal, Compliance, Internal Audit, and business leaders to mitigate risk, lead audits, monitor employment laws, and drive process improvements that enhance compliance and operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Legal Studies, Risk Management or equivalent related experience required.
• 6 years of experience in HR compliance, internal audit, or HR risk management roles required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR subject matter expert for employment-related matters and policy interpretation.
• Lead HR compliance programs by monitoring federal, state, and local employment laws and implementing updates to policies and procedures.
• Develop and administer HR risk controls and coordinate input across HR functions.
• Oversee HR audits, SOX reviews, regulatory examinations, risk assessments and remediation activities.
• Track, analyze, and report key compliance, audit, risk, and control metrics to HR and executives.

Skills

HR compliance

Internal audit

SOX knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR-related field or equivalent

Tools

HRIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

JOB FUNCTION / SUMMARY: The HR Compliance and Risk Manager serves as the subject matter expert for HR compliance, policy governance, and risk management, ensuring adherence to employment laws, regulatory requirements, and internal controls across the associate lifecycle. This role partners with HR, Legal, Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit, and business leaders to mitigate company risk, lead audits and examinations, and drive process improvements that enhance compliance and operational effectiveness.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serve as the primary HR subject matter expert for employment-related litigation matters, policy interpretation, and complex employee relations issues, partnering with Associate Relations, Legal, Compliance, HR Business Partners, and business leaders to ensure consistent policy application, regulatory compliance, and effective risk mitigation. Lead HR compliance programs by monitoring federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, assessing impacts, and implement required updates to policies, procedures, practices and organization communications. Develop and administer the HR Risk control process, coordinating input from control owners across key HR functions ensuring risks and controls are appropriately documented and managed. Serve as the primary HR partner for Internal Audit, Legal, Compliance, and Risk Management related to HR audits, SOX reviews, regulatory examinations, risk assessments and remediation activities. Oversee execution of SOX and HR-related internal control testing, ensuring effective documentation, issue resolution, and remediation of identified control gaps. Research and ensure compliance with emerging legal, regulatory, and industry developments and recommend actions to implement to maintain compliance readiness and reduce organizational risk. Serves as subject matter expert for HR policies, procedures, standard operating procedures, handbooks, risks, controls, and audit responses. Track, analyze, and report key compliance, audit, risk, and control metrics, providing dashboards and recommendations to HR and executive leadership. Partner with HR Technology, Information Security, and business stakeholders to evaluate and mitigate compliance risks associated with data access, reporting, retention, privacy, and recordkeeping practices. Support HR integration efforts during M&A events, including HR due diligence, controls mapping, risk assessments and compliance alignment. Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying compliance, governance, and control gaps and implementing solutions that improve efficiency, strengthen controls, and mitigate risk.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE:

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Legal Studies, Risk Management or equivalent related experience required. 6 years of experience in HR compliance, internal audit, or HR risk management roles required, preferably in a highly regulated industry. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, CCEP, CRMA, or CIA preferred. Deep knowledge of employment law and HR risk frameworks. Familiarity with SOX or equivalent internal control environments. Strong verbal and written communications, documentation, analytical, and risk reporting skills. Experience working with HRIS and data privacy regulations. Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and manage sensitive information. Ability to use all Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to work under stress and meet deadlines. Ability to travel if required to perform the essential job functions. Ability to operate related equipment to perform the essential job functions. Ability to read and interpret a document if required to perform the essential job functions. Ability to lift/move/carry approximately 10 pounds if required to perform the essential job functions. If the employee is unable to lift/move/carry this weight and can be accommodated without causing the department/division an "undue hardship" then the employee must be accommodated; hence omitting lifting/moving/carrying as a physical requirement.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, physical or mental disability or history of disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, disabled veteran, or other protected characteristics as required by federal, state and local laws.

When you choose a career with Hancock Whitney (Nasdaq: HWC), we pledge a heartfelt promise: You can grow. You have a voice. You are important. You also share in a rich regional heritage and embrace core values-timeless ideals vital to our culture since the 1800s that inspire how we serve clients, communities, and each other: Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility. A fast-growing organization consistently rated among America’s strongest, safest financial services institutions, our company is based in Gulfport, Mississippi. Our bank and subsidiaries provide contemporary, comprehensive consumer, commercial, and wealth financial products and services at regional headquarters and 200-plus financial centers across a vibrant Southeast corridor including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Each day, our nearly 4,000 associates carry on a mission to help people achieve their financial goals and dreams. We come to work to create opportunities for the people we serve in the communities we call home. Together, we continue building a company solidly focused on being better, going beyond, and doing more to secure success for the people and businesses depending on us. Let our legacy lead to your future.

Learn more at hancockwhitney.com/ourstory