The Role

The Senior Manager, Leaves & Accommodations oversees the leave of absence and accommodation Center of Excellence (COE) and serves as the organization’s primary subject matter expert on leave management, reasonable accommodations and the interactive process, and state and local leave and disability laws.

This leadership role is responsible for the administration and oversight of leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, PWFA, state and local leave laws, disability benefits, and other company-issued leave programs. The Senior Manager will help build and develop the team structure and processes, drive operational excellence, mitigate legal and compliance risk, and enhance the leave and accommodation processes at GTI, all while navigating the evolving and highly complex regulatory requirements.

This is primarily a remote position but Chicagoland candidates are preferred.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Function as the strategic owner of scalable policies and operational frameworks for the centralized management of leave and accommodation programs and policies
• Lead and develop a high-performing, customer service-oriented team of leave and accommodation practitioners with various backgrounds and levels of experience
• Establish performance expectations, service level agreements, and operational goals for the COE
• Identify areas for on-going and continuous process improvement and timely execute on program enhancements
• Provide counsel and technical guidance to senior leaders on complex and confidential employee matters
• Partner with cross-functional senior leaders, including Benefits, Payroll, HR, Employee Relations, Legal, and Risk
• Direct the development and delivery of educational resources to employees, HR Partners, and management about leave of absence and accommodations protocols, promoting a culture of consistency and compliance
• Leverage data and reporting to monitor trends, identify risks, and develop actionable insights and recommendations to mitigate risk and improve programs, processes, and employee experience

Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain knowledge and ensure compliance with all applicable leave and accommodation laws
• Monitor legislative developments to ensure compliance; stay informed about changes in leave laws and regulations
• Advise HR Partners, managers, and employees on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits
• Administer company time-off programs as assigned in accordance with internal policy and applicable laws
• Ensure maintenance of complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices

Leave and Accommodations Administration

• Lead and maintain procedures to ensure accuracy and efficiencies related to employee payments, short-term and long-term disability claims, reconciliation and repayments of employee benefit premiums, and employees’ benefits eligibility
• Develop a procedure for monitoring the accuracy, timeliness, and compliance of employees’ intermittent leave usage
• Develop and maintain reports and metrics related to leaves and accommodations and conduct analysis in a manner that is digestible and actionable for managers and senior leadership
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all third-party vendors related to leave and accommodation programs and platforms overseeing vendor performance and service delivery
• Own and optimize leave and accommodation administration systems and processes, partnering with HRIS and vendors to enhance functionality, reporting capabilities, and operational efficiency.
• Responsible for managing and owning the full lifecycle process of leave cases including intake, eligibility, notification, documentation, tracking, and return to work.

Qualifications

• 7+ years related experience
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field with an emphasis in business or finance, or equivalent years professional/analytical experience related to the above-described duties or equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or training.
• Experience with AbsenceSoft preferred.
• Demonstrated success and experience in leading a center of excellence or leave and accommodations practitioners.
• Extensive knowledge of the leave requirements and other legal protections afforded by federal, state, and local laws.
• Well versed in ERISA, employee benefit programs, including flexible benefit programs, financial analysis, and budgeting.
• Familiarity with Workers' Compensation Act, city regulations and other applicable state/federal statutes and regulations preferred.
• Proficient in analyzing complex problems, identifying sources of risk, and developing strategic solutions, with a track record of successfully resolving issues in a timely manner.
• Strong organizational abilities, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines consistently.
• Effective leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a high-performance team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to critically analyze information, data, and situations to understand underlying patterns and trends, facilitating informed decision-making and problem-solving.
• Flexible and adaptable in dynamic work environments, able to quickly adjust priorities and strategies to meet changing needs and challenges.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex ideas clearly and concisely, and collaborate effectively with team members and stakeholders.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products with advanced Excel experience and has ability to perform mathematical calculations in computing rates, premiums, and adjustments.
• Experience with Kronos or Wurk preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Must pass any and all required background checks
• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry
• Must possess valid driver’s license
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
• Must be approved by state badging agency to work in cannabis industry

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