Multi-State HR Compliance Lead

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The HR Compliance Specialist at Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. leads multi-state employment compliance across federal, state, local laws and Puerto Rico, owning the enterprise compliance calendar and driving audit-ready processes.

Responsibilities include tracking wage and leave requirements, managing I-9/E-Verify, EEO-1 reporting, OSHA recordkeeping, and coordinating with HRIS, Payroll, and field leadership to ensure timely, accurate compliance and escalation when risks arise.

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-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 elevate to HR leadership or Legal.

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 elevate 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.

Skills

HR compliance

Multi-state employment laws

Documentation discipline

Regulatory interpretation

Time management

Written communication

Attention to detail

Escalation to leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

HRIS

Job description

The HR Compliance Specialist at Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. leads multi-state employment compliance across federal, state, local laws and Puerto Rico, owning the enterprise compliance calendar and driving audit-ready processes.

Responsibilities include tracking wage and leave requirements, managing I-9/E-Verify, EEO-1 reporting, OSHA recordkeeping, and coordinating with HRIS, Payroll, and field leadership to ensure timely, accurate compliance and escalation when risks arise.