Onboarding Specialist

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business. Aligned Data Centers is seeking a highly organized and customer-focused Onboarding Specialist to deliver a seamless, high-impact onboarding experience for new hires across corporate and data center operations teams. This role is critical in ensuring employees are set up for success from day one while also maintaining strict adherence to customer-driven compliance requirements in a highly regulated, mission-critical environment. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and is passionate about creating a consistent, scalable onboarding experience that reflects Aligned’s culture, safety standards, operational excellence, and customer commitments. Key Responsibilities Onboarding Program Management Execute end-to-end onboarding processes for new hires across multiple locations, including mission-critical data center sites. Coordinate pre-boarding activities such as offer acceptance follow-up, documentation collection, and first-day readiness. Ensure all onboarding workflows are completed accurately in HRIS systems and meet compliance requirements. Serve as the primary point of contact for new hires, providing guidance and support throughout their onboarding journey. Cross-Functional Coordination Collaborate with IT, Security, and Facilities teams to ensure timely provisioning of equipment, system access, and badging for corporate and data center employees. Work closely with people leaders to ensure onboarding plans reflect operational readiness, safety, and compliance standards. Support coordination of site-specific onboarding requirements, including safety training and operational protocols. Compliance Administration Administer customer-specific compliance programs across multiple markets, ensuring adherence to contractual requirements and access eligibility standards. Coordinate and track customer-required background screening processes, including management of external customer compliance platforms and vendor systems. Facilitate customer-specific credentialing requirements, including background checks, badging, confidentiality agreements, training certifications, and site access approvals. Serve as the primary liaison between internal teams, compliance vendors, and customer representatives regarding personnel compliance requirements. Maintain accurate records of employee compliance status and proactively monitor upcoming expirations, renewals, and re-certification requirements. Manage recurring employee re-screening programs, including biannual background check renewals and any customer-mandated periodic compliance reviews. Escalate compliance concerns, discrepancies, or adverse findings to appropriate leadership while maintaining confidentiality and data privacy standards. Support customer audits, compliance reviews, and requests for personnel qualification documentation. Coordinate the administration of the annual company compliance audit, ensuring acceptance of required ISO, SOC, PCI, and HIPAA certifications. Maintain compliance reporting and audit documentation to support internal and external compliance requirements and readiness. Process Improvement & Scalability Continuously evaluate onboarding and compliance programs to improve efficiency, consistency, and employee experience. Leverage data and feedback (e.g., new hire surveys, compliance metrics) to identify trends and recommend enhancements. Contribute to the development of scalable onboarding and compliance frameworks to support organizational growth. Qualifications 3+ years of experience in Human Resources, onboarding, compliance administration, workforce credentialing, or related fields. Experience managing background screening programs, contractor credentialing, customer compliance programs, or regulated workforce requirements preferred. Exceptional attention to detail and ability to maintain highly confidential information. Proficiency with HRIS platforms, specifically Workday and ADP, Experience supporting audits, compliance reporting, and documentation management preferred. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to work effectively across departments and external organizations. BENEFITS & PERKS: Aligned Data Centers is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members. Eligible employees have access to: Health Coverage : Medical, dental, and vision insurance Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts: HSA with employer contribution for eligible participants. FSA's offered for health and dependent care to increase tax savings. Retirement Savings : 401(k) plan with company match Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay Company-Sponsored Insurance : Short-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (with medical election) Optional Benefits : Voluntary life, critical illness, legal, and additional disability coverage Wellness Programs : Employee assistance program (EAP), Wellhub gym membership, and other wellness initiatives The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. At Aligned, we are committed to transparency and fostering a positive employee experience from your very first interaction with us. In compliance with Illinois pay disclosure requirements, when you join Aligned, you’ll have access to the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, short and long disability, life insurance and other voluntary benefits, 401k with employer match, bonus opportunities, paid time off, wellness benefits and professional development opportunities, all designed to support your well-being and career growth. We want you to have a clear understanding of what we offer, so you can make informed decisions about your future with us. Aligned is equally committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities for all employees. We ensure that all applicants and team members are considered for employment, advancement, and all other employment-related matters without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of your job due to a disability or medical condition, please contact our People & Culture team. Accommodation requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable laws. Aligned will make reasonable accommodations where necessary to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.