Senior HR Operations & Compliance Specialist

About the role

The Senior HR Operations and Compliance Specialist at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is responsible for ensuring the integrity, compliance, and operational effectiveness of Human Resources programs, policies, and processes. This role serves as the primary owner of HR compliance activities, reporting, policy management, audit readiness, contract administration, and HR operational controls.

Responsibilities

• Leads HR reporting, coordinates internal and external audits, and maintains critical HR governance documentation and communication channels.
• Continuously evaluates HR processes to identify opportunities for improvement, strengthen controls, mitigate risk, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Provides oversight and administration of employee leave, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and policies while delivering effective support to employees and managers.
• Owns the development, review, implementation, and management of HR policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, contractual, and organizational requirements.
• Maintains the highest standards of discretion, integrity, and professional judgment, fostering trust across all levels of the organization while ensuring information is handled, communicated, and protected in accordance with legal, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
• Manages and oversees HR operational communication channels, including the HR shared mailbox, ensuring timely and accurate responses and escalation of complex matters.
• Develops standardized processes and documentation to improve consistency, transparency, and employee access to HR information.
• Evaluates HR processes, controls, and workflows to identify opportunities to improve compliance, efficiency, effectiveness, and employee experience.
• Administers leave programs in compliance with policies and applicable federal, state, and organizational requirements.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in business, Human Resources or other business-related field.
• Minimum of 6 years demonstrated hands-on applicable HR compliance and operations work experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication and consultation skills, high attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and proactive identification of opportunities to strengthen compliance, efficiency, and employee experience.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or Google Suite tools.