Position OverviewThe Leave of Absence Manager is responsible for overseeing the administration of all leaves of absence and reasonable accommodation process, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (including FMLA, ADA, and other applicable laws). This role serves as the subject matter expert, providing strategic guidance on best practices, developing and implementing process improvements, establishing and managing data reporting needs, actively engaging with delivery partners, and serving as the point of escalation for timely resolution. The manager will act as the primary liaison between LOA team members, and third-party vendors to ensure consistent, compliant and seamless leave and accommodation experience throughout all businesses within the Company.
Job DescriptionResponsibilities- Strategic Administration: Design and maintain scalable leave processes and compliance controls that promote enterprise-wide consistency while accommodating regional needs.
- Vendor & Team Oversight: Manage day-to-day operations of internal leave analysts and third-party administrators, monitoring performance, data integrity, and service delivery.
- Policy Administration: Manage the end-to-end leave process, including medical, family, military, and personal leaves.
- Compliance & Legal: Ensure all leave administration adheres to federal, state, and local regulations, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Compliance & Escalation: Serve as the primary subject matter expert for complex regulatory matters and reasonable accommodations (e.g., ADA, FMLA, Short/Long-Term Disability), engaging HR and Legal tea Serve as the subject matter expert on leave policies, advising HR and leadership teams on complex cases and legal compliance issues.
- Continuously review and update company leave and accommodation policies to reflect changes in laws and best practices.
- Conduct audits of leave and accommodation practices to ensure compliance and recommend process improvements.
- Develop and deliver enterprise training programs on leave and accommodation policies and procedures and recognizing reportable health and welfare challenges within the workforce.
- Collaborate with payroll, benefits, and legal teams to ensure seamless processing of associate leaves and benefits leave periods.
- Ensure communication with managers and HR partners on pending leaves, return to work dates, leave extensions and other relevant changes to mitigate risk.
- Data-Driven Strategy: Utilize Vendor and HR reporting and analytics to monitor leave trends, identify risk patterns, present data-informed recommendations policy improvements, control costs and maintain organizational effectiveness. Work with HRIS and leave management systems to optimize data tracking and reporting capabilities.
- Provide regular reports and analytics to senior leadership on leave usage, accommodations, and compliance trends
- Manage relationships with leave, disability, workers' compensation, and accommodation vendors.
- Ensure organizational compliance with FMLA, ADAAA, PWFA, USERRA, Workers' Compensation, state leave laws, and other applicable regulations.
- Conduct periodic audits of leave and accommodation programs to ensure compliance and mitigate organizational risk.
- Identify trends and opportunities to reduce costs and improve program effectiveness.
- Partner with Employee Relations, Legal, Payroll, Benefits, Safety, Occupational Health, and HRIS teams to resolve complex issues
Required Skills/Education- Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related fields.
- 10 years of experience of with 7+ years of experience in HR operations, benefits, or leave administration, with demonstrated leadership and multi-state compliance experience.
- Knowledge: Deep expertise in federal and state disability and leave laws (FMLA, ADA, PWFA, etc.)
- Skills: Strong communication, conflict resolution, and the ability to train management on absence management policies.
- Tools: Proficiency with HR management platforms (e.g., Workday) and leave case management systems.
Desired Skills- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to interpret complex information and develop practical solutions.
- Proven ability to evaluate and recommend enhancements to leave, disability, accommodation, and return-to-work programs.
- Exceptional case management and follow-through skills, ensuring timely and effective resolution of employee leave and accommodation matters.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement leave of absence and accommodation strategies that support business objectives and employee well-being.
- Strong planning, prioritization, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Experience leading process improvement initiatives to enhance employee experience, streamline operations, and improve return-to-work outcomes.
- Highly detail-oriented with a strong commitment to accuracy, compliance, and confidentiality.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively across cross-functional teams.
- Customer-focused mindset with a demonstrated commitment to delivering an exceptional employee experience.
- Ability to establish, maintain, and continuously improve standardized leave and accommodation processes across the organization.
- Adaptability and resilience in managing shifting priorities while maintaining a high level of service and responsiveness.
Salary and Benefits- $93,428 - $120,000 depending on experience
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life Insurance
- 401k
- Paid Time Off
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