HR Sr Absence Management Specialist
About The Position
The Sr Absence Management Specialist leads complex leave and ADA accommodation casework and serves as a senior-level expert across absence and accommodation programs. The role is responsible for program reporting, vendor partnerships, compliance strategy, and process optimization. It manages the most complex, sensitive, and high-risk cases while partnering closely with People Business Partners, Employee Relations, and senior leaders. The Specialist coordinates daily cases and escalations with a third-party administrator, conducts interactive processes with employees, managers, and healthcare providers, and interprets leave and accommodation laws for novel or precedent-setting situations. The role advises leaders on risk and the long-term effects of related decisions; leads policy updates, regulatory research, mitigation strategies, training, and cross-functional projects; and works with HRIS and People Analytics to improve workflows, dashboards, automation, and data accuracy. It may determine eligibility, recommend reasonable accommodations, and negotiate solutions that balance business needs and legal obligations. The position also requires compliance with applicable bank policies, regulations, and training requirements, including maintaining working knowledge of Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security, and other applicable regulations. The Specialist may coach, mentor, or train others, and may perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- 6–8 years of experience in absence management and/or related experience.
- Expert knowledge of federal and state disability and leave laws and regulations governing workplace accommodation administration, specifically ADAAA, FMLA, and state paid leave plans.
- Demonstrated ability to consult, advise, and influence business leaders.
- Computer and technical skills, including Microsoft Office Suite applications: PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Excel, and SharePoint.
- Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills for consulting and communicating with people at all organizational levels and with healthcare providers, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to establish effective working relationships with internal and external colleagues.
- Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate respect and due diligence in sensitive situations.
- Organizational, time-management, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work fully onsite at the posted location.
- Occasional travel.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in business or a relevant field.
- Workday experience.
Responsibilities
- Independently manage complex leave cases and high-risk scenarios, including intermittent or continuous leave patterns, attendance issues intersecting with performance, and multi-state leave implications.
- Manage complex and high-risk leave and accommodation cases, including layered ADA situations, fitness-for-duty matters, and potential undue hardship determinations.
- Coordinate daily casework, escalations, and data accuracy with a third-party administrator.
- Conduct interactive processes with employees, managers, and healthcare providers.
- Serve as a senior-level expert on applicable leave and accommodation laws, including ADAAA, FMLA, USERRA, and state and local leave laws.
- Interpret and apply regulatory requirements to novel or precedent-setting cases.
- Partner with Employee Relations and People Business Partners on sensitive issues, escalations, and recommendations that may lead to corrective action, leave or accommodation denial, job placement, or separation.
- Lead policy updates, regulatory research, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Own program reporting and case documentation; analyze trends and develop insights for leaders.
- Evaluate vendor performance, recommend improvements, and support RFP or vendor transition processes.
- Partner with HRIS and People Analytics to optimize workflows, dashboards, automations, and data accuracy.
- Advise leadership on risk areas and the long-term impact of absence- or accommodation-related decisions.
- Lead the design and delivery of enterprise-wide training on legal compliance, manager responsibilities, and ADA and leave intersections.
- Influence stakeholders and ensure alignment across departments.
- Lead cross-functional projects involving leave program changes, new state plan implementation, technology upgrades, or process redesign.
- Determine eligibility, recommend reasonable accommodations, and negotiate solutions that balance business needs and legal obligations, as applicable.
- Comply with bank regulations, policies, procedures, and required annual or job-specific training; maintain knowledge of applicable regulatory changes.
- Maintain working knowledge of the Bank's written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security, and other regulations applicable to the role.
- Coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as a subject matter expert, as requested.
- Foster Columbia's corporate culture, take personal initiative, and serve as a positive example.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions
- Employee assistance program
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Tuition assistance
- Mental health resources
- Identity theft protection
- Legal support
- Auto and home insurance
- Pet insurance
- Access to an online discount marketplace
- Paid vacation, sick days, volunteer days, and holidays
- Potential performance-based incentive compensation
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
High school or GED
