Leave Of Absence Manager

Aston Carter•Irvine, CA

4d•$50 - $50•Onsite

About The Position

The Leave of Absence (LOA) Manager plays a critical role in overseeing the company’s leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, short-term and long-term disability, and state-specific paid leave programs. Acting as the primary liaison between employees, internal stakeholders, and external vendors, this leader ensures a seamless and supportive leave experience while maintaining compliance with all applicable laws. This position requires a strong background in leave management, vendor oversight, and HR best practices, with the ability to balance compliance, employee support, and strategic program improvement.

Requirements

High school diploma required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred
3–5 years of leave management experience (LOA/benefits); at least 2 years of manager/supervisor experience; general HR experience strongly preferred
In-depth understanding of FMLA, ADA, USERRA, and state/local leave laws
Proficiency with HRIS and leave management platforms; strong Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP)
Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and ensure compliance with contracts
Strong analytical skills to interpret data, generate reports, and provide strategic insights
Excellent communication and employee relations skills

Responsibilities

Oversee company leave programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
Partner with Legal and HR teams to refine and implement policies aligned with industry best practices
Stay current on trends in leave management and apply insights to improve efficiency and effectiveness
Manage external leave administration vendors, ensuring adherence to SLAs and conducting regular audits
Identify gaps in vendor performance and lead RFP/bidding processes when vendor changes are required
Ensure compliance with FMLA, ADA, USERRA, and state/local leave laws
Conduct regular audits of leave processes and vendor practices to minimize risk
Provide proactive guidance to HR and leadership on compliance and risk mitigation strategies
Serve as the escalation point for complex or sensitive leave cases, providing resolution and guidance
Facilitate clear communication between employees, managers, vendors, and HR teams
Develop communication tools and resources to keep employees and managers informed of policies and procedures
Lead and mentor team members to strengthen expertise in leave management
Report regularly to senior leadership on leave trends, program performance, and opportunities for improvement
Drive measurable outcomes such as improved return-to-work rates, reduced leave durations, and enhanced employee satisfaction