Leave Specialist

The Leave Specialist will provide support to the Human Resources department in benefits related leave administration for Alliance. This position will administer leave requests and accommodations that arise under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability plans, and other medical related leaves. This position is full-time remote. Selected candidate must reside in North Carolina and be willing to travel to the home office (Morrisville, NC) for onsite team meetings as needed. Responsibilities & Duties Leave Administration Manage the leave administration process to include communication and coordination with employees, supervisors, payroll and third-party vendor throughout the process Monitor and track leaves related to FMLA, ADA, paid parental leave, short-term/long-term disability, and unpaid leaves to verify start and end dates and ensure communication with supervisors, payroll, and third-party vendor Manage accommodation request process including facilitating the interactive process, evaluating medical documentation, case management, and consistent communication to applicable parties and timely issuance of decisions and due process rights Advise managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws and procedural requirements with paid and unpaid time off, workers compensation, and short-term and long-term disability benefits Maintain consistent communication throughout leave process to ensure information is shared timely and appropriately with employees and supervisors to facilitate smooth and timely return to work Provide appropriate notices to employees during and at the end of leaves Oversee the return-to-work process for employees returning from FMLA, ADA, or other medical leave(s) to ensure applicable documentation is obtained and filed appropriately Effectively interpret FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leave of absences and disability requests in consultation with Legal Collaborate with payroll to ensure employees are paid accurately while on leave of absence and benefits payments are recouped appropriately for employees on unpaid leave Collaborate with Employee Relations and Legal as needed on any potential employee issues or legal concerns Maintain knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including the FMLA, ADA, and state and local laws Benefits Administration/Reporting Maintain complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices Manage creating, reviewing, and updating all leave resources Create and conduct trainings for staff and supervisors regarding FMLA and ADA processes Assist with audits including carrier and leave audits, as well as benefit reporting Assist with coordination of benefit related events including setup and monitoring Assist with performing quality checks of leave-related data Provide process improvement recommendations and suggestions that align with the goals of the Benefits team and Alliance Serve as backup for Benefits Specialist and Manager when needed Assist with Benefits email box and respond to or escalate inquires appropriately Perform related tasks as required Minimum Requirements Education & Experience Associates degree from an accredited institution and four (4) years of Human Resources experience with a focus on leave administration to include FMLA, ADA, short-term and long-term disability. Experience working in a HCM system required. OR Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field and two (2) years of Human Resources experience with a focus on leave administration to include FMLA, ADA, short-term and long-term disability. Experience working in a HCM system required. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Knowledge of benefits administration and applicable laws Knowledge of leave requirements and other legal protections afforded by the FMLA, ADA, and other applicable laws Knowledge of Workers Compensation Knowledge of Human Capital Management systems Verbal and written communication skills Organizational skills and attention to detail Time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines Analytical and problem-solving skills Interpersonal and conflict resolution skills Microsoft Office Suite Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality Employment for this position is contingent upon a satisfactory background, which will be performed after acceptance of an offer of employment and prior to the employee's start date. Salary Range $61,439-$78,335/Annually Exact compensation will be determined based on the candidate's education, experience, external market data and consideration of internal equity. An excellent fringe benefit package accompanies the salary, which includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long Term Disability Generous retirement savings plan Flexible work schedules including hybrid/remote options Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, holiday, management leave Dress flexibility