HR Risk & Associate Relations Director

Location: On site at location listed in job posting.

The HR Risk & Associate Relations Director is a strategic leadership role responsible for protecting the organization’s talent and reputation by proactively managing HR compliance, risk, fraud, and associate relations. This role advances business priorities by cultivating a culture of integrity, trust, and accountability. Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this leader partners across the enterprise to translate regulatory requirements, employment law, and workplace practices into value-adding strategies that reduce risk, strengthen culture, and enhance business resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Design and execute a comprehensive HR risk and associate relations strategy aligned with organizational values and long-term growth objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, offering insights that link risk mitigation and associate relations to improved business performance and associate engagement.
• Lead enterprise-wide efforts to shape a consistent, high-integrity associate experience across business units and geographies.

HR Risk Management

• Oversee a proactive HR risk management framework that identifies, mitigates, and monitors risks across the associate lifecycle (e.g., hiring, performance management, separation).
• Partner with Legal, Audit, Compliance, and business leaders to assess emerging risks and design practical solutions.
• Lead sensitive internal investigations with integrity, consistency, and discretion, ensuring appropriate action plans and root cause resolution.
• Establish enterprise risk dashboards to inform HR and executive leadership on key trends, insights, and corrective actions.

Associate Relations Leadership

• Set the strategic direction for associate relations, focusing on preventive practices, trend analysis, and scalable investigation and resolution frameworks.
• Lead a high-performing team of associate relations professionals, fostering capability-building and a service mindset.
• Act as an executive-level escalation point for complex, high-risk associate matters requiring nuanced judgment.
• Promote a speak-up culture by designing accessible, trusted channels for associate feedback and concerns.

Policy Governance and Capability Building

• Oversee development, governance, and communication of HR policies that drive fairness, transparency, and compliance.
• Partner with Legal to ensure timely integration of new regulatory requirements into policy and practice.
• Deliver enterprise-wide training and leadership briefings on workplace ethics, policy updates, and risk awareness.
• Facilitate culture-building workshops that reinforce expected behaviors and values.

Analytics, Reporting & Executive Communication

• Develop a data-informed reporting strategy that tracks key HR risk and associate relations metrics aligned to business outcomes.
• Maintain accurate documentation and case tracking to ensure legal compliance, trend visibility, and internal accountability.
• Present actionable insights to executive and board-level stakeholders to inform strategic decisions and culture health.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Employment Law, Business Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree or professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) preferred.
• Minimum of 6–8 years of progressive experience in HR compliance, associate relations, or employment law.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic risk and associate relations initiatives that drive organizational impact.
• Advanced knowledge of U.S. employment laws and workplace investigations; global exposure a plus.
• Skilled in leveraging data, technology, and systems (HRIS, case management tools) to optimize risk mitigation efforts.
• Strong executive communication, facilitation, and consultative skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.

About Us
First Horizon Corporation is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com.

Follow Us
Facebook
X formerly Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.