Manager, HR Compliance & Operational Excellence

At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.Manager, HR Compliance & Operational Excellence YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe primary responsibilities of this role, Manager, HR Compliance & Operational Excellence are to: The Manager, HR Compliance & Operational Excellence will provide strategic oversight of HR compliance governance across North America HR Foundations. The role strengthens Bayer's License to Operate by improving governance, reducing risk, simplifying processes, and modernizing how compliance work is delivered across Payroll, Benefits, HR Operations, Legal, Finance, Tax, and external partner interfaces.This leader will help shift the organization from manually intensive, person-dependent compliance execution toward clearer ownership, better process design, stronger documentation, increased automation, and responsible use of AI-enabled tools. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating across ambiguity, influencing stakeholders without direct authority, and translating complex compliance requirements into practical, scalable operating models.Compliance Governance & Risk ManagementProvide strategic oversight of HR compliance activities across North America HR Foundations.Maintain end-to-end visibility across critical compliance obligations, controls, audits, regulatory touchpoints, and emerging risks.Establish governance frameworks that clarify accountability and ownership across HR, Payroll, Benefits, Legal, Finance, Tax, and related functions.Assess and strengthen preventive and detective controls to support compliance with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local requirements.Serve as a trusted advisor during internal and external audits and help establish consistent audit response frameworks.Identify control gaps, process fragmentation, ownership ambiguity, and single points of failure; drive sustainable remediation plans.Operational Excellence & Process TransformationLead continuous improvement initiatives that improve quality, reduce risk, eliminate waste, and simplify employee and HR partner experiences.Apply Lean, process improvement, design thinking, and operational excellence methodologies to modernize compliance-related processes.Redesign workflows to reduce complexity, minimize handoffs, and eliminate unnecessary manual activity.Build scalable operating models that reduce key-person dependency and improve organizational resilience.Strengthen documentation standards, knowledge management practices, and cross-training expectations across critical compliance processes.Partner with functional owners to transition selected operational activities into Payroll and Benefits where ownership more naturally aligns.Automation, Digitization & AI EnablementChampion the use of automation, workflow technology, analytics, and artificial intelligence to improve compliance outcomes and reduce manual effort.Identify opportunities to replace manual checks with system-enabled prevention, intelligent monitoring, and exception-based controls.Partner with HR Technology, Workday, Payroll, Benefits, Digital, and Operational Excellence teams to design scalable technology-enabled solutions.Apply emerging AI capabilities to improve process documentation, knowledge management, risk identification, employee support, and operational decision support.Promote responsible experimentation with AI and automation while maintaining appropriate governance, privacy, data quality, and compliance discipline.Build a culture of curiosity, continuous learning, and practical innovation around future-of-work capabilities.Cross-Functional LeadershipPartner closely with Payroll, Benefits, HR Business Partners, Legal, Finance, Tax, Internal Audit, and external vendors or advisors.Influence stakeholders across a complex matrix environment without relying solely on formal authority.Facilitate alignment across multiple functions involved in compliance-related activities and controls.Lead governance forums, stakeholder discussions, and executive-ready updates on compliance priorities, operational risk, and modernization progress.Translate complex compliance, audit, and process topics into clear recommendations and practical action plans.Workforce Capability & Organizational ResilienceDevelop and implement strategies that reduce single points of failure across critical compliance work.Establish knowledge transfer, documentation, and cross-training plans for critical processes and stakeholder relationships.Coach leaders and teams on compliance ownership, governance expectations, audit readiness, and operating discipline.Support organizational transformation as North America HR Foundations evolves its operating model and modernizes service delivery.WHO YOU AREBayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:Required Qualifications:Progressive experience in HR Compliance, HR Operations, Payroll, Benefits, Risk Management, Governance, Operational Excellence, or a related discipline;Demonstrated success leading process redesign, governance improvement, or organizational transformation initiatives;Strong understanding of U.S. HR compliance requirements and governance frameworks; ability to learn and navigate cross-border U.S./Canada implications;Working knowledge of ERISA governance, pension and savings plan oversight, Form 5500 processes, SPD controls, employment tax interfaces, I-9 governance, and regulatory audit management;Experience partnering with Legal, Audit, Tax, Payroll, Benefits, Finance, HR Operations, and external advisors;Strong analytical, problem-solving, and systems-thinking capabilities;Excellent executive communication, stakeholder management, facilitation, and influencing skills;Comfort operating in ambiguity and leading through change in a matrixed environment.Preferred Qualifications:Experience supporting both U.S. and Canadian HR compliance environments;Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Legal Studies, Public Policy, Risk Management, or a related field;Experience with Workday or comparable HR technology ecosystems;Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, Process Management, Design Thinking, or similar methodologies;Experience implementing automation, workflow tools, analytics, AI-enabled solutions, or digital process improvements;Vendor governance or external advisor management experience.Employees can expect to be paid a salary between $115,520 to $173,280. Additional compensation may include a bonus or commission (if relevant). Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc.. This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant’s location, market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.This posting will be available for application until at least 8/3/2026.YOUR APPLICATIONBayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs. If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity, and want to impact our mission Health for all, Hunger for none, we encourage you to apply now. Be part of something bigger. Be you. Be Bayer. To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third party resumes. Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans Bayer is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants with disabilities to request any needed accommodation(s) using the contact information below. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Notice for U.S. Visitors: All information on this site is subject to compliance with local rule and regulations as they may vary from time to time and across different geographies, including, without limitation, U.S. Executive Orders.Bayer is an E-Verify Employer.Location:United States : Missouri : Creve Coeur || United States : Missouri : St. Louis || United States : Residence Based : Residence Based Division:Enabling Functions Reference Code:876754 Contact UsEmail:View email address on click.appcast.io