Leave of Absence Specialist

Leave Of Absence Specialist

Are you curious about solving complex business challenges for a leading convenience retailer? Do you have a passion for cross functional collaboration? Then you may be the perfect addition to our team!

Cumberland Farms is one of the fastest-growing convenience retailers in the United States, committed to becoming America's #1 'one-stop' destination. The business has an established pedigree of delivering excellent fuel, grocery and merchandise, and food service. Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, our Company has grown to over 1,500+ locations across the United States employing over 18,000 team members. You can find us operating under the following store banners: Certified Oil, Cumberland Farms, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf N Jug, Minit Mart, Sprint Food Stores, Tom Thumb, Turkey Hill, and Quik Stop. Our US headquarters in Westborough, MA is home to our Store Support Center, Company Warehouse, and Culinary Center.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Wages
• Work today, get paid tomorrow through our earned wage access program*
• Paid Time Off
• Medical/Health/Dental Coverage
• 401K with Company Match
• Team Member Discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Savings Account
• Company Spirit Days
• Employee recognition and awards
• And much more!

Position Summary:

The Leave Of Absence Specialist is responsible for administering and coordinating employee leave programs across multiple states, including those with Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) requirements. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while delivering a supportive, high quality employee experience for both frontline and corporate team members.

The Specialist serves as the primary point of contact for leave-related inquiries, managing cases from intake through return-to-work, and partnering closely with HR, Payroll, and field leadership to ensure consistent, compliant, and efficient leave administration.

Responsibilities:

1. Partner with our provider, SunLife, to manage the end-to-end leave of absence processes, including FMLA, PFML, ADA accommodations, personal leaves, and company sponsored leave programs.
2. Administer state PFML programs and ensure compliance with each state's requirements
3. Review and process leave requests, certifications, and return-to-work supporting documentation.
4. Serve as the primary contact for employees and managers regarding leave eligibility, timelines, pay implications, and return-to-work expectations
5. Support team members by providing clear, timely communication regarding leave rights, responsibilities, pay options, and required documentation
6. Work closely with HR Business Partners, Risk, and managers to ensure seamless leave coordination.
7. Support return-to-work processes, including fitness-for-duty reviews and accommodation coordination
8. Provide reporting on leave trends, usage, and compliance metrics.
9. Maintain accurate records and documentation in HRIS and case management systems

Working Relationships: HR, Risk, Payroll, HRBP's, Team members at all levels across the retail and corporate, and External Vendors

Requirements:

Minimum Education: HS Diploma or equivalent experience

Preferred Education: Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or related field

Minimum Experience: 2 to 3 years of HR, Benefits or Leave Administration Experience

Preferred Experience: Experience supporting multi-state or high-volume employee populations (retail preferred)

Licenses/Certifications: CLMS preferred

Soft Skills:

• Experience with HRIS systems (UKG Preferred)
• Strong knowledge of FMLA, ADA, and state leave laws
• Ability to manage high-volume caseloads with strong attention to detail
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Other Requirements:

Travel: N/A

Hours & Conditions: Monday – Friday 8 hour day in office setting

Physical Requirements : Ability to maneuver and regularly lift and or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Info:

At Cumberland Farms, it's important that our employees reflect the world we live in and the communities we serve. We celebrate our differences, so your unique background and skillset could bring a wonderful new perspective to our team. If you have a passion for delivering exceptional results, thrive in a fast-paced corporate environment, and bring experience in business management or related areas, we'd love to meet you - even if you don't meet every single requirement.

Consistent with Massachusetts Pay Transparency Law, we're sharing the base salary range for this position. Final pay within this range will be based on your skills, experience, and qualifications. Base pay represents just one part of our total rewards approach. We're proud to offer a variety of financial and non-financial benefits that invest in your overall growth, well-being, and career journey.