Senior Associate, Leave and Accommodations

athenahealth•Boston, MA

9d•$79,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Leave Associate manages leave of absence and workplace accommodation cases from intake through return to work. This role supports employees, managers, and internal partners by explaining requirements, coordinating documentation, and keeping cases moving accurately and on time. The position helps ensure compliance with applicable laws and company policies while delivering a consistent employee experience. This role reports to the Director, Global Benefits. The Leave Administration team, part of the Benefits team, manages employee leaves and accommodations in a compliant, efficient, and employee-centered way. We collaborate closely with HR Business Partners, Payroll, and managers to support various leave types (e.g., medical, parental, disability, personal) and ensure a seamless experience for employees. The team leverages HR systems (such as Workday and ADP) and clear communication practices to maintain accurate records and facilitate timely and smooth return-to-work transitions. The Senior Leave Associate serves as a key individual contributor within this team, providing leadership through expertise and insight into best practices and improvements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred, or equivalent work experience.
3-5 years of progressive experience in leave administration, benefits, or a related HR area, with extensive experience managing FMLA and ADA/ADAAA cases independently.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local leave laws and regulations.
Experience interpreting documentation and applying policies to determine next steps in case handling.
Experience using HR systems, case management systems, or workflow tools such as Workday, ADP, or similar platforms.
Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and prepare clear reports or summaries.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
Strong organization and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines.
Ability to work independently, collaborate across teams, and maintain confidentiality and sound judgment.

Responsibilities

Manage the full lifecycle of leave of absence and accommodation cases from intake through return to work, ensuring timely handling, accurate tracking, and coordination with key partners.
Partner with the third-party leave vendor to review requests and apply company policy and legal requirements to support compliant decisions.
Serve as the main point of contact for employees and managers by providing clear guidance, regular updates, and return-to-work support throughout the leave process.
Act as a subject matter expert on leave and accommodation programs, handling complex cases and consulting with Legal or HR leadership when needed.
Identify process improvements, maintain and analyze leave data, and share reports and recommendations to support better decisions and ongoing program enhancements.
Review suspected leave misuse or fraud, document findings, and escalate concerns to support the integrity of leave programs.
Partner with Payroll, Legal, HR, HR Operations, and AskHR to support leave-related work, update guidance, and provide accurate answers to employee and manager questions.
Monitor third-party administrator performance, resolve case issues, track trends, and escalate concerns to help ensure accurate and timely service.
Stay current on leave laws, best practices, and industry trends through ongoing learning and professional development.
Use AI tools responsibly to summarize case information, organize documentation, and identify workflow patterns while protecting confidential employee data and applying human judgment to all decisions.