Leave of Absence Manager

Essential Job Functions

Leave Administration & Case Management

• Oversee the administration of leave programs, including but not limited to FMLA, ADA, PWFA, USERRA, parental leave, personal leave, military leave, state and local leave programs, and disability-related leaves.

• Facilitate the intake of leave requests, ensure applicable notices and forms are provided by vendor, and oversee claims from initiation through return-to-work.

• Manage complex and escalated leave cases while ensuring consistent application of Company policies and applicable laws across employee populations.

• Serve as the primary point of contact and escalation resource for employees, managers, HR Advisors, Payroll, Safety, Legal, and vendor partners.

• Establish and maintain accurate, timely, and professional written and verbal communications with employees throughout the leave process.

• Coordinate return-to-work and fitness-for-duty processes with employees and managers, including adherence to Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations for drivers.

• Support continuous improvement efforts and process enhancements within leave administration programs

• Lead the interactive process for ADA and other workplace accommodation requests, including coordination with the employee, manager, healthcare provider, Human Resources, and internal Legal counsel.

• Evaluate accommodation requests and coordinate reasonable accommodations while balancing employee needs, operational requirements, and legal obligations.

• Maintain complete and accurate accommodation documentation and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

• Track accommodation requests and ensure appropriate follow-up occurs in a timely manner.

• Provide guidance to managers and HR teams regarding accommodation responsibilities, documentation, and best practices.

Vendor Management and Program Oversite

• Serve as the primary contact for third-party leave administration vendors and disability carriers.

• Conduct regular audits and operational reviews of vendor processes, leave cases, and documentation quality.

• Escalate and resolve complex employee, claim, and operational issues with vendor partners and drive corrective action when service gaps are identified.

• Participate in vendor evaluations, implementations, renewals, and process optimization initiatives.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local leave laws, disability programs, and Company policies.

• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and recommend policy, communication, or process updates as needed.

• Audit leave cases and documentation for accuracy, consistency, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.

• Partner with Legal, Human Resources, and business leaders to mitigate risk and resolve complex leave and accommodation matters.

• Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive employee and medical information.

Employee, Manager, and HR Consultation

• Serve as a trusted advisor to employees, managers, HR teams, and business leaders on leave, disability, accommodation, and return-to-work matters.

• Provide guidance to HR and management teams on leave policies, procedures, legal requirements, and manager responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience administering leave of absence, disability, and workplace accommodation programs in a high-volume environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex ADA accommodations and leading the interactive process.
• Experience managing third-party leave administration vendors and disability carriers.
• Experience supporting a multi-state workforce and diverse employee populations, including…