Manager, Leave of Absence

PIH Health•Whittier, WA

21h

About The Position

The Manager, Leave of Absence provides strategic and operational leadership for all leave of absence and accommodation programs across the organization. This role ensures full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations—including FMLA, CFRA, ADA, FEHA, PDL, and PFL—while maintaining alignment with internal policies and organizational goals. The Manager leads the development, optimization, and governance of leave processes and systems, and manages a caseload of complex and high‑risk cases requiring advanced judgment and sensitivity. As the organization’s subject matter expert, the Manager provides expert guidance on policy interpretation, regulatory compliance, and best practices in absence and accommodation management. The role analyzes program data to identify trends, assess effectiveness, and recommend improvements that enhance compliance, efficiency, and employee experience. The Manager also leads the ADA/FEHA interactive process, oversees the work of leave administrators, partners closely with HR and operational leaders, and drives initiatives that support return‑to‑work, well‑being, and operational continuity.

Requirements

Strong understanding of federal, state, and local leave laws, including FMLA, CFRA, PFL, ADA, FEHA, and PDL, with the ability to apply them to a variety of case situations.
Skilled in managing complex leave cases, including high‑risk, sensitive, or medically complicated situations, and supporting the team with escalations.
Leadership experience, including supervising, coaching, and developing leave administrators to ensure consistent, compliant case handling.
Knowledge of the ADA/FEHA interactive process, including evaluating accommodation needs, documenting discussions, and guiding leaders.
Ability to analyze data, spot trends or risks, and use insights to improve leave processes and performance.
Strong teamwork and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with HR, Payroll, Legal, Occupational Health, Risk Management, and operational leaders.
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to communicate with empathy, maintain confidentiality, and support employees during challenging situations.
Effective communication and conflict‑resolution abilities, including the skill to explain complex leave scenarios clearly and help leaders navigate difficult decisions.
Highly organized, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, HRIS systems (e.g., Oracle, Workday, UKG), and leave or case management tools.
Ability to develop and improve procedures, workflows, and documentation to support consistency, compliance, and quality.