Sr Analyst, HR Projects and Compliance

Primary Role

Responsible for supporting strategic HR initiatives/projects and ensuring compliance with employment laws, internal policies, and regulatory requirements. This role oversees the planning, execution, and governance of HR projects while also supporting HR compliance through policy management, training and education, data analysis and reporting, monitoring, interpreting and communicating legislative updates, and conducting regular audits to ensure compliance with policies and regulations, identify areas of non-compliance, and recommend corrective actions.

Important Information

• This position may be eligible for annual incentive pay and you will have the opportunity for continued salary growth. In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan,
• Posted range is $68,640-114,660
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!  American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!
• The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity.
• In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k),Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!
• American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally! 

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of HR projects aligned with overall HR/People goals.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and resource allocations.
• Partner with our information technology team as it relates to SuccessFactors optimization projects.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including HR Centers of Excellence (COEs), HRBPs, and external vendors (as applicable)
• Ensure alignment across COEs to track response times, document processes, and measure performance.
• Conduct regular project reviews, track milestones, and escalate issues to HR leadership.
• Partner with Organizational Learning & Development (OL&D) for change management and training.
• Build and maintain project management toolkits, templates, and best practices.
• Serve as a liaison with the Digital HR team to ensure alignment across HR technology and other initiatives.
• Assess resource needs across projects to prevent overutilization and ensure balanced workloads.
• Conducts post-project assessment to ensure successful assimilation and adoption of program into the organization, using Metrics and measures of success to drive continuous improvement.
• Support the HR compliance program, including policy development, SOPs, and regulatory reporting.
• Direct and support the HR Compliance leader in governance and risk mitigation efforts.
• Conduct regular internal HR audits (e.g., FLSA, onboarding/offboarding, privacy, webdocs) and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., AAP, EEO-1, CA Pay Data, VETS-4212).
• Manage the policy update and review process in collaboration with Legal and other stakeholders.
• Serve as Tier 2 escalation point for compliance-related inquiries and overdue training follow-ups.
• Administer governance committees for remote work and personal hardship accommodations.
• Support the implementation of compliance training and acknowledgment processes (e.g., CEPA, NJGI, LM-10).
• Provide guidance on employment verification, reference checks, and related compliance protocols.

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge and experience with employment laws, HR policies, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional projects.
• Proficiency in project management tools such as Asana, Trello, Monday.com, etc.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• PMP or similar project management certification is a plus.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, including project management experience.

Certifications & Licenses

• Active State Driver's License required with the ability to pass a motor vehicle report.

Competencies