Labor & Employment Compliance Manager

Summary: The Labor & Employment Compliance Manager oversees the company's employment compliance program, ensuring that timekeeping, scheduling, payroll, and other standard employment practices meet federal, state, and local requirements. This role manages compliance audits, develops processes, and partners closely with HR, Legal, and Operations. This role pulls and interprets time and attendance data, identifies potential compliance gaps, assists with the development of programs, training, and processes, and provides support for labor and employment matters, escalating complex or legal-sensitive matters to in-house counsel.

Responsibilities:

Process & Program Development

• Partner with HR, Payroll, and Operations to create, update, and implement policies, SOPs, and training related to employment law compliance.
• Recommend and design system enhancements or process improvements to proactively mitigate compliance risks.
• Support rollout and adoption of updated practices across locations.
• Track and report adoption of compliance processes and drive accountability with field leadership.

Data & Compliance Analytics

• Extract, analyze, and interpret wage, hour, and scheduling data from timekeeping and payroll systems to monitor compliance with federal, state, and local laws (including FLSA and state-specific wage/hour regulations).
• Identify and report on trends, risks, and anomalies (e.g., missed meal breaks, overtime irregularities, use of standard forms and processes, appropriate documentation, etc.)
• Design dashboards, compliance metrics and regular reports for HR leadership, operations, and legal counsel.
• Conduct regular audits of processes and employment records to ensure accuracy and adherence to policy.
• Direct corrective action processes for recurring compliance gaps.

Labor & Employment Support

• Serve as a point of contact for HR and operations teams seeking guidance on wage/hour issues, state and federal leave regulations, and similar compliance matters, escalating complex matters to in-house counsel.
• Monitor and summarize federal, state, and local labor and employment legislative updates and case law developments for HR and operational leaders, with focus on wage/hour regulations.
• Assist in drafting policy updates, compliance guidance, and manager toolkits
• Prepare and organize documentation for legal inquiries, government audits, and litigation support.
• Oversee compliance-related workflows for workers' compensation claims, coordinating with HR teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Legal Studies, or related field; or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years in HR compliance, labor/employment paralegal work, workforce analytics, or related role.
• Working knowledge of FLSA, wage/hour laws, and state-specific labor regulations.
• Working knowledge of HRIS, timekeeping, T&A, and payroll systems; strong Excel/data analysis skills.
• Ability to design and implement processes, procedures, and training, effectively taking into account the capabilities of various stakeholders throughout an organization.
• Ability to interpret legislation and translate it into operational guidance.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to be based out of Great Wolf's Corporate Headquarters in Chicago, IL. Office is following a hybrid schedule (M/F optional remote work, T/W/TH in-office), that is subject to change.

Other Success Factors:

• Data-driven mindset with the ability to connect analytics to risk mitigation.
• Clear and concise communicator, capable of explaining complex legal and compliance issues in business-friendly terms.
• Collaborative problem-solver who can work across HR, legal, and operations.
• Proactive in identifying risks and implementing preventive measures.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Paralegal certificate or formal legal training in labor and employment law.
• Experience supporting multi-state or multi-jurisdictional compliance, particularly California employment compliance.
• Experience with UKG, Unifocus, or other payroll and time & attendance tools.
• Six Sigma, Lean, or other process improvement certification

Estimated Salary Range:

$95,000 - $130,000 annual base salary

An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of Great Wolf's total compensation package. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and other perks.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and for inquiring about, discussing or disclosing compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.