Assistant Director – Leave and Accommodation

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee the daily management of leave and accommodation programs while setting service expectations.

• Directly manage Leave & Accommodations Specialists, including allocating work, reviewing cases, providing coaching, training, monitoring deadlines, and supporting professional growth.

• Handle and provide guidance on high-risk and complex leave and accommodation situations.

• Facilitate and document the ADA interactive process, assessing accommodations, alternatives, operational impacts, and undue hardships.

• Supervise eligibility, certification, designation, extensions, recertification, exhaustion, reduced schedules, military leave, state-paid leave, personal leave, disability issues, and return-to-work protocols.

• Act as the main escalation point for issues related to performance, attendance, discipline, retaliation, organizational changes, or separations.

• Counsel employees and leaders on their responsibilities, required documentation, timelines, restrictions, available options, confidentiality, and company protocols.

• Manage relationships with third-party administrators and coordinate with Benefits, Payroll, Employee Relations, HR leadership, Safety, and Legal departments.

• Oversee return-to-work strategies, medical releases, restrictions, modified duties, transitional work, scheduling changes, and the execution of accommodations.

• Audit leave and accommodation files, usage, documentation, designations, restrictions, status alterations, and return-to-work activities.

• Generate reports on caseloads, aging, response times, leave categories, accommodation actions, outcomes, vendor performance, trends, and compliance risks.

• Maintain policies, procedures, templates, manager guidance, and training materials, while keeping abreast of legal and regulatory changes.

• Ensure the accurate processing of leave statuses, return dates, timekeeping, pay-related modifications, benefits, restrictions, and employee records.

• Keep thorough, accurate, and confidential case records.

• Collaborate with HR and operational leaders to address staffing impacts, workforce planning, and business continuity.

• Assist with HR compliance initiatives, special projects, audits, acquisitions, transitions, and other assigned responsibilities.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred; relevant equivalent experience may be considered.

• At least five years of progressive experience in Human Resources is preferred, with significant direct experience in leave administration and workplace accommodations.

• Prior experience in a leadership, team lead, or supervisory role is strongly preferred.

• Advanced knowledge of FMLA, ADA, USERRA, pregnancy-related accommodation requirements, state and local leave laws, paid leave programs, disability benefits coordination, and the interactive accommodation process.

• Experience in managing leave and accommodation issues across multiple jurisdictions.

• Capability to set expectations, prioritize workloads, mentor performance, review work products, resolve escalations, and cultivate accountable practices.

• Strong critical thinking and decision-making abilities, including analyzing medical and operational data.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to handle a high-volume, complex caseload while managing team deliverables, deadlines, audits, projects, and follow-ups.

• Skills in analyzing trends, maintaining metrics, assessing vendor performance, and implementing process enhancements.

• Discretion in managing medical information and sensitive employee records.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and familiar with HRIS, case management, ticketing, payroll, benefits, or leave administration systems.

• Ability to remain calm, professional, empathetic, and solutions-oriented in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance options.

• Generous paid time off policies.

• Opportunities for professional development and training.

• Flexible work arrangements.