Leave & HR Compliance Consultant

National Life Insurance Company•Montpelier, VT

6d•$95,625 - $140,250

About The Position

The Leaves & HR Compliance Consultant owns the enterprise leave of absence, workplace accommodation, and HR compliance programs, establishing operational standards, governance, and continuous improvement initiatives that support business objectives at National Life. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment and benefits laws, while delivering a consistent, compliant, and compassionate associate experience. The role also provides oversight of HR policy governance and regulatory readiness. Reporting to the Head of Benefits, this position partners closely with HR, payroll, legal, and business leaders to align leave and accommodation practices with National Life’s values, operational goals, and employee experience priorities. In addition, this role provides broader HR compliance oversight to support adherence to employment laws/regulations, internal policies, and audit readiness.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
8-10 years of experience in leave of absence, accommodations, HR compliance, and/or benefits administration
Experience leading compliance programs required
Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and state/local leave laws
Understanding of employment law and HR compliance requirements across multiple states
Working knowledge of benefits compliance (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA)
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion
Project management and process improvement capabilities
Proficiency with HRIS systems, leave management platforms, and Microsoft Office tools
Leverage approved AI tools, where appropriate, to improve the efficiency, quality, and impact of their work.
Stay curious and open to new AI-enabled ways of working.
Exercise sound judgment by reviewing and validating AI-generated content.
Maintain accountability for the accuracy, quality, fairness, and integrity of work products by adhering to National Life's AI guiding principles.
Use AI responsibly and in accordance with company policies related to confidentiality, data privacy, security, compliance, retention, and intellectual property.

Nice To Haves

PHR/SPHR or similar certification preferred, such as CEBS, CBP, or CLMS
Deep knowledge of FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and state/local leave laws
Experience in insurance or financial services industry
Strong understanding of employment law and HR compliance requirements across multiple states
Strong project management and process improvement capabilities

Responsibilities

Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of leave of absence and accommodation programs, including FMLA, ADA, PWFA, USERRA, state leave programs, parental leave, and company-sponsored leaves
Establish and maintain scalable processes that balance compliance, efficiency, and employee experience
Oversee the end-to-end administration of leave and accommodation cases, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistency
Guide complex and escalated cases, including ADA accommodations and intermittent leave scenarios, serving as escalation point
Monitor regulatory changes and proactively update policies, procedures, and practices
Define service level expectations and operational metrics.
Monitor operational performance and implement process improvements.
Ensure compliance with all applicable employment regulations and internal policies
Monitor regulatory changes and proactively recommend updates to policies, practices, and procedures
Partner with legal and HR leadership to interpret laws and implement compliant, practical solutions
Partner with Payroll to ensure accurate pay, deductions, and benefit continuation during leave events
Validate payroll impacts related to benefits, leave, and accommodations
Collaborate with Benefits and vendors to ensure seamless administration and communication
Support compliance activities related to health and welfare benefit plans in partnership with Benefits, legal, and external vendors
Coordinate and support preparation and timely filing of Form 5500 and associated schedules for applicable benefit plans
Support nondiscrimination testing (e.g., Section 125, 105(h), 410(b), 410(k)(3), 401(m)(2), 416, and other applicable testing) to ensure plan compliance and equity
Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable benefits regulations
Support delivery of required associate notices and audit documentation
Maintenance and governance of HR policies and procedures, including the Associate Handbook
Ensure policies are updated in response to regulatory changes and aligned with company practices
Manage communication of policy updates in partnership with Communications
Establish key performance indicators for leave administration and compliance.
Analyze trends and implement operational improvements based on data.
Develop and maintain reporting on compliance activities
Partner with HR analytics teams to align reporting with broader workforce insights
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-centric service
Set performance standards and ensure delivery of high-quality, timely outcomes
Support HR Business Partners and business leaders on compliance, policy, and associate-related matters
Partner with HR Business Partners, managers, and associates to provide guidance on leave, accommodations, and compliance processes
Collaborate with legal, compensation, talent, IT, and external vendors to ensure aligned solutions
Serve as a trusted advisor on complex associate leave/accommodation situations