US HR Compliance & Operations Manager

Job Title: HR Operations Manager

U.S. Operations Support — Onsite, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Department: Human Resources / People Operations

Experience Required: 3–5 years in U.S. HR Operations

About the Role

We are looking for a detail-oriented and tech-savvy HR Operations Manager based in our Guadalajara, Jalisco office to manage and support our U.S. human resources operations. This role is ideal for someone with hands-on experience in U.S. HR compliance, labor laws, payroll coordination, and employee lifecycle management within a fast-paced, small-company environment (1–100 employees). Working onsite from our Guadalajara office, you will serve as the go-to HR partner for our U.S. workforce, leveraging modern HR technology to drive efficiency and ensure full regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

U.S. HR Operations & Compliance

• Manage end-to-end U.S. HR operations including onboarding, offboarding, benefits administration, and employee records management.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. federal, state, and local employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, COBRA, ACA, EEO, OSHA, and state-specific regulations).
• Maintain and update employee handbooks, HR policies, and SOPs in line with evolving U.S. labor legislation.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel and benefits brokers on compliance matters, audits, and filings (EEO-1, I-9, W-4, etc.).
• Monitor and adapt to multi-state employment requirements, including wage and hour laws, paid leave mandates, and workplace safety standards.

HR Technology & Systems

• Administer and optimize HRIS platforms (e.g., BambooHR, Rippling, Gusto, ADP, Workday, or similar) to streamline operations.
• Leverage automation tools and integrations to reduce manual work across payroll, benefits enrollment, time tracking, and reporting.
• Evaluate and recommend new HR tech solutions that improve the employee experience and operational efficiency.
• Generate data-driven reports and dashboards to support leadership decision-making on headcount, turnover, compensation, and compliance metrics.
• Maintain data integrity and security standards across all HR systems.

Payroll & Benefits Coordination

• Coordinate U.S. payroll processing with third-party providers, ensuring accuracy and timely execution across multiple states.
• Manage benefits enrollment cycles (open enrollment, qualifying life events) and serve as the primary liaison with benefits vendors.
• Ensure accurate tax withholding and reporting in compliance with IRS and state tax agencies.

Employee Relations & Support

• Act as a trusted HR point of contact for U.S.-based employees, addressing questions on policies, benefits, and workplace matters.
• Support managers with performance management processes, documentation, and corrective action guidance.
• Handle sensitive employee relations issues with professionalism, discretion, and in alignment with U.S. employment laws.
• Foster a positive employee experience through proactive communication and engagement initiatives.

Cross-Border Collaboration

• Navigate the nuances of working onsite in Guadalajara while supporting a U.S. workforce, including time zone alignment, communication protocols, and cultural sensitivity.
• Partner with leadership to develop scalable HR processes suitable for a growing, distributed team.
• Stay current on cross-border employment considerations relevant to the company's operating model.

Required Qualifications

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in U.S. HR operations, preferably within a small to mid-size company.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. federal and multi-state employment laws, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Proven experience administering HRIS platforms and HR tech tools; comfortable evaluating and implementing new systems.
• Hands-on experience with U.S. payroll processing, benefits administration, and tax compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (business-fluent or native level required).
• High level of discretion, integrity, and professionalism when handling confidential employee information.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills, capable of working independently and collaboratively in an onsite office setting.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, with legal authorization to work onsite.
• Willingness and ability to work a schedule aligned with U.S. business hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• HR certification such as PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent.
• Experience supporting a U.S. workforce from a nearshore or international location.
• Familiarity with Employer of Record (EOR) platforms or international payroll solutions.
• Proficiency with productivity and collaboration tools (Slack, Notion, Google Workspace, Asana, or similar).
• Spanish language skills (a plus but not required).
• Experience scaling HR operations in a startup or high-growth environment.

What We Offer

• Onsite work from our Guadalajara, Jalisco office, with flexible scheduling aligned to U.S. business hours.
• Competitive compensation (USD-benchmarked).
• Opportunity to build and shape HR operations from the ground up in a growing company.
• Collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture.
• Professional development support and access to learning resources.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.