Manager, Leave Administration

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for. Position Summary Provide strategic oversight and day‑to‑day management of employee leave programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while delivering a consistent, employee‑centered experience. Lead leave administration operations, partnering closely with internal Benefits, Payroll, Employee Relations, HRBP, Workforce Relations, and Legal teams as well as external vendors. Provides guidance to leaders and employees on complex leave and accommodation matters.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
At least 5+ years of HR experience, including demonstrated leadership in leave administration, disability management, or HR operations.
In-depth working knowledge of leave administration, FMLA, ADA, USSERA, HIPPA, and state and local leave laws.
Experience with HRIS and leave management systems (e.g., Workday, UKG, ServiceNow, vendor leave platforms, etc.).
Proficient in MS Office tools.
Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP)
2+ years of team-lead experience or management experience.
Experience working with third‑party leave administrators.
Experience supporting geographically dispersed employee populations across different states, including union and non-union populations.

Responsibilities

Leave Program Management - Oversee the administration of employee leave programs, including but not limited to: Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), state and local paid family medical leave programs (including CO FAMLI and MN PFML), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and interactive accommodation process, company sponsored leaves such as parental leave, short-term disability, long-term disability, and coordination of the return-to-work process from worker’s compensation. Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant leave determinations, tracking, and documentation. Implements or revises leave programs to adapt to new laws or changes in business needs or best practices.
Compliance & Risk Management - Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local leave laws and regulations. Monitor legislative changes and assess operational impact; recommend and implement policy or process updates as needed. Partner with Legal and Employee Relations to mitigate risk and address escalated or complex cases.
Vendor Management - Manage the relationship with third‑party leave administration vendor. Meet with vendor to review performance metrics and take corrective action when needed. Ensure accurate data exchange between vendor, leave systems, HRIS, and payroll. Participate in system implementations, upgrades, and process automation initiatives in partnership with HR Technology. Partner with Supply Chain and HR leadership on contract management, renewals, and escalations. Reviews and approves vendor invoices.
Employee & Stakeholder Support - Serve as a subject matter expert for managers, HR partners, and employees on leave‑related matters. Provide guidance on sensitive, complex, or escalated leave and accommodation cases. Develop and deliver training and communication materials related to leave programs. Educate employees and leaders on the types of leaves and the company’s leave programs.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement - Analyze leave data and trends to identify risks, cost drivers, and improvement opportunities. Prepare reports and metrics for HR leadership and senior management. Participate in periodic metric reviews with the vendor. Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, compliance, and employee experience.
Leadership & Team Development – Lead, coach, and develop the leave administration staff. Establish performance standards, workflows, and quality controls to ensure service excellence. Promote a culture of accountability, empathy, and continuous improvement.