Job Description

Pay Range: $78,000 - $96,000 depending on relevant experience and qualifications

The Leave Specialist Manager is a critical leadership position responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of the organization's Leave of Absence (LOA) and disability programs. This role is fundamental to the company's success, as it balances rigorous legal compliance with a commitment to employee well-being. By ensuring the organization adheres to the complex, ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local labor laws, this position mitigates significant legal and financial risks.

Beyond compliance, the Leave Specialist Manager plays a vital role in talent retention. By leading a team that provides seamless, compassionate support during an employee's most challenging life events (such as illness, family growth, or caregiving), this role directly impacts the employee experience and reinforces our culture of care. Ultimately, the Leave Specialist Manager ensures that our workforce remains supported and resilient, while maintaining the operational continuity of the business through effective return-to-work strategies.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Direct Supervision: Manage the daily workflows of the Leave Specialist team, ensuring equitable caseload distribution and high-quality employee support
• Coaching & Quality Assurance: Conduct regular audits of leave files and communications to ensure accuracy, empathy, and adherence to departmental service level agreements (SLAs)
• Professional Growth: Identify training gaps and lead educational sessions on new legislation or software updates to keep the team at the forefront of the industry

Program & Compliance Management

• Regulatory Adherence: Serve as the final authority on the application of federal and state laws (FMLA, ADA, PWFA, etc.) and company policies
• ADA Interactive Process: Lead complex "interactive process" dialogues for accommodation requests, ensuring that both employee needs and business operational requirements are balanced fairly
• Risk Mitigation: Partner with Legal and Risk Management to conduct periodic internal audits and ensure all documentation meets strict HIPAA and litigation-readiness standards

Strategic Stakeholder Partnership

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with Payroll to ensure accurate benefit pay (STD/LTD) and with HR Business Partners to strategize departmental coverage during long-term absences
• Return-to-Work (RTW) Strategy: Design and oversee "Stay-at-Work" and "Return-to-Work" programs, facilitating temporary light-duty or phased-in schedules to support employee reintegration
• Management Education: Develop and deliver training for front-line managers to recognize "leave triggers" and avoid common compliance pitfalls during employee absences

Vendor & Systems Oversight

• TPA Performance: Manage relationships with Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) and disability carriers, holding them accountable through regular performance reviews and data reconciliation
• HRIS Optimization: Lead the configuration and maintenance of leave-tracking modules within Workday or ServiceNow to automate notifications and streamline employee self-service

Data Analytics & Reporting

• KPI Tracking: Monitor critical metrics such as absenteeism rates, leave utilization trends, and the average duration of absences to identify underlying burnout or cultural issues
• Executive Insights: Translate raw data into actionable dashboards and quarterly reports for senior leadership, highlighting the financial impact of leaves on the bottom line
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Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• Professional HR certification such as SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR is highly preferred
• 5+ years of experience in leave administration or HR, with at least 2 years in a managerial or supervisory role
• Legal Expertise: Advanced knowledge of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, and state-specific leave laws (e.g., CFRA, PDL)
• Experience with Workday, ServiceNow, or similar HRIS and leave management software
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex legal requirements with empathy and clarity

What We Offer

At MITER Brands, we invest in your health, wealth, and wellness. Our comprehensive benefits package supports you and your eligible spouse/dependents while helping you achieve your personal and professional goals.

We offer competitive pay, a 401(k) with company match, and generous paid time off to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Health & Wellness

• Three comprehensive medical plan options
• Prescription drug coverage
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Teladoc virtual healthcare services
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Annual Wellness Clinic

Financial Protection

• Company-paid Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Company-paid Short-Term Disability
• Company-paid Long-Term Disability
• Supplemental Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance

Additional Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Legal Insurance
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Team Member Discount Program