FMLA Leave Specialist Payroll SME

FMLA Leave Specialist (Payroll SME) @ Tilt

Tilt (check us out here) is looking for an FMLA Leave Specialist (Payroll SME) to join our team and help us scale our business by helping employees navigate complex leave scenarios from FMLA and state programs to return‑to‑work transitions while ensuring seamless coordination between leave, pay, and compliance. We want you to be successful here at Tilt! Below is a description of your role and responsibilities, including the things you will be held accountable for and the virtues, behaviors and competencies that are expected for this role.

• Manage the full leave lifecycle through Tilt’s platform from intake to return ensuring accurate pay and compliance coordination
• Partner with payroll and HR teams to validate pay calculations, state program reimbursements, and benefit continuations during leave
• Serve as a resource for employees and managers navigating state and federal leave laws, paid family & medical programs, and company leave policies
• Support issue resolution across multiple channels troubleshooting system issues and coordinating with internal experts as needed
• Collaborate with Customer Success Managers (CSMs) to ensure client satisfaction and compliance outcomes
• Stay current on evolving leave and payroll regulations and proactively sharing knowledge with teammates and clients
• Communicate clearly and empathetically with employees, healthcare providers, insurance carriers, and state agencies

• Have 2+ years of experience in payroll, HR operations, or leave management
• Understand payroll processing, including leave-related pay adjustments, tax implications, and benefit deductions
• Know your way around U.S. leave laws and compliance (FMLA, PFML, ADA, etc.)
• Communicate complex topics clearly and compassionately
• Excel in a fast‑paced, tech‑driven environment and easily switch between multiple systems
• Are organized, self‑directed, and comfortable managing changing priorities
• Are bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus, since we serve a diverse employee population
• You have high levels of empathy and can connect deeply with Tilt’s mission
• You are comfortable working in ambiguous environments and know that we need your help to figure things out
• You are a comfortable using a lot of systems at once, and have the ability to learn software quickly
• You are fearlessly flexible and curious; aka you thrive in an environment where we don't have all the answers but are willing to help us figure them out
• You have experience working with a startup and/or with a B2B SaaS business

• You balance work and personal life effectively
• You get things done at a pace consistent with the business needs
• You show up and are reliable
• You encourage others to put their health and family first

• You are highly organized and can manage multiple priorities and deadlines at once
• You are focused on scale and building - you understand that pace is equally as important as quality

• When you don’t have all of the answers, you dig in and ask questions
• You don’t let negative assumptions drive your actions and instead assume positive intent and find truth
• You are intentional in discovering the paths of self development Tilt has to offer and seek out opportunities to engage in professional growth

• You show empathy and compassion; you strive to meet people where they are to offer maximum support

• You go with the flow and deal with (lots) of ambiguity
• You’re not afraid to work without clear direction

The projected annual salary range is $63,000 - $75,000 USD plus stock options (ISOs), because we believe everyone should have some stake in our business.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits paid at 100% for all employees and 50% for dependents.
• 401k + match (100% match on the first 3%, 50% match on the next 2%)
• $100 monthly to spend on “What Matters Most”
• Responsible Time Off – take what you need, when you need it!

Tilt’s mission is big: make leave not suck. We are building a product that makes it…