Leave Management Program Manager

MITER Brands•Harrisburg, PA

9d•$78,000 - $96,000

About The Position

The Leave Specialist Manager is a critical leadership position responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of the organization’s Leave of Absence (LOA) and disability programs. This role is fundamental to the company’s success, as it balances rigorous legal compliance with a commitment to employee well-being. By ensuring the organization adheres to the complex, ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local labor laws, this position mitigates significant legal and financial risks. Beyond compliance, the Leave Specialist Manager plays a vital role in talent retention. By leading a team that provides seamless, compassionate support during an employee’s most challenging life events (such as illness, family growth, or caregiving), this role directly impacts the employee experience and reinforces our culture of care. Ultimately, the Leave Specialist Manager ensures that our workforce remains supported and resilient, while maintaining the operational continuity of the business through effective return-to-work strategies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
Professional HR certification such as SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR is highly preferred
5+ years of experience in leave administration or HR, with at least 2 years in a managerial or supervisory role
Advanced knowledge of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, and state-specific leave laws (e.g., CFRA, PDL)
Experience with Workday, ServiceNow, or similar HRIS and leave management software
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex legal requirements with empathy and clarity

Responsibilities

Manage the daily workflows of the Leave Specialist team, ensuring equitable caseload distribution and high-quality employee support
Conduct regular audits of leave files and communications to ensure accuracy, empathy, and adherence to departmental service level agreements (SLAs)
Identify training gaps and lead educational sessions on new legislation or software updates to keep the team at the forefront of the industry
Serve as the final authority on the application of federal and state laws (FMLA, ADA, PWFA, etc.) and company policies
Lead complex "interactive process" dialogues for accommodation requests, ensuring that both employee needs and business operational requirements are balanced fairly
Partner with Legal and Risk Management to conduct periodic internal audits and ensure all documentation meets strict HIPAA and litigation-readiness standards
Collaborate with Payroll to ensure accurate benefit pay (STD/LTD) and with HR Business Partners to strategize departmental coverage during long-term absences
Design and oversee "Stay-at-Work" and "Return-to-Work" programs, facilitating temporary light-duty or phased-in schedules to support employee reintegration
Develop and deliver training for front-line managers to recognize "leave triggers" and avoid common compliance pitfalls during employee absences
Manage relationships with Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) and disability carriers, holding them accountable through regular performance reviews and data reconciliation
Lead the configuration and maintenance of leave-tracking modules within Workday or ServiceNow to automate notifications and streamline employee self-service
Monitor critical metrics such as absenteeism rates, leave utilization trends, and the average duration of absences to identify underlying burnout or cultural issues
Translate raw data into actionable dashboards and quarterly reports for senior leadership, highlighting the financial impact of leaves on the bottom line