Senior Leave of Absence Specialist

Job Description Summary: The Senior Leave of Absence Specialist plays a critical role in supporting our employees through moments that matter. This role will be responsible for administering and managing all types of employee leave programs while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Senior Leave of Absence Specialist will bring deep subject matter expertise, a strong compliance mindset, and a commitment to delivering an exceptional employee experience. This position will partner closely with Benefits, Payroll, and Legal to streamline processes, maintain compliance, and provide empathetic support to employees and leaders across the organization. This position operates on a hybrid schedule out of our St. Louis, MO office. Primary Job Responsibilities Administer and manage all employee leave programs including FMLA, state family and medical leave, ADA, personal, parental, military, and other company leaves. Serve as the primary point of contact for employees throughout the leave process, ensuring timely communication, clarity, and support. Coordinate with local HR, Benefits, and Payroll to ensure accurate leave tracking, pay continuation, and benefits eligibility. Establish and maintain state paid leave privatization arrangements with the carrier, ensuring compliance with state requirements and seamless employee experience. Calculate and prepare quarterly privatized state plan premium payment reports. Partner with states not privatized through the carrier to complete required leave documentation and ensure compliance with state-specific processes. Calculate complex leave payments (e.g., partial pay, intermittent leave, overlapping benefits) and provide accurate details to the Payroll team for processing. Calculate benefit premium payback amounts for employees on unpaid leave and coordinate repayment with Payroll and Benefits. Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local leave laws, keeping up to date with legislative changes. Manage leave-related documentation and communications, including eligibility notices, certifications, and return-to-work requirements. Oversee the interactive ADA processes in partnership with the Carrier, HR and Legal. Provide reporting and data insights on leave activity to support compliance audits and workforce planning. Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and the employee experience. Act as a trusted subject matter expert and resource to employees, managers, and HR colleagues. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience). 5+ years of experience managing leave of absence programs, with deep knowledge of FMLA, ADA, and state leave laws. Strong understanding of state paid leave programs, including privatization processes and compliance requirements. Experience with carrier partnerships and ability to manage premium reporting and reconciliation. Advanced skills in calculating complex leave payments and benefit premium paybacks, with accuracy and attention to detail. Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Excel; experience with benefits platforms such as ADP and Workday required. Excellent communication skills to support employees, managers, and HR partners with clarity and empathy. Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and maintain strict confidentiality. Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Demonstrated ability to recommend and implement process improvements. Collaborative mindset with experience working across HR, Payroll, Benefits, and Legal teams. This position is an exempt position. The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $75,000-$95,000 base salary compensation range. Actual base pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, subject matter expertise, geographic location where work will be performed, and the applicant’s skill set. The base pay is just one component of the total compensation package. Other rewards may include an annual cash bonus and a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k). Focus Partners is an organization of wealth, asset, and business management resources that brings strength, innovation, and partnership to client relationships. Through a comprehensive range of services, Focus Partners supports clients at every stage of life, helping them manage their financial future. Focus Partners uses research-backed investment strategies to create custom-built portfolios and delivers personalized wealth planning solutions to clients in all 50 states. Focus Partners is part of Focus, a leading financial services firm comprised of wealth management, family office, and business management services. To learn more about Focus, visit focuspartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn. #LI-MB1 Focus is a leading financial services firm comprised of integrated wealth management, family office, and business management services. Blending deep expertise and expansive resources with a boutique, client-first fiduciary philosophy, Focus helps individuals, families, and institutions navigate complex financial situations with highly personalized solutions tailored to their unique needs. To learn more about Focus, visit or follow the company on LinkedIn. EEO Statement: Focus is an equal opportunity employer and bases its employment decisions on the employee or candidate’s skillset, and without regard to an employee or candidate’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state and/or federal law. Focus complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io For California Applicants: Information on your California privacy rights can be found here For Indiana Applicants: It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by refusing to employ an applicant on the basis that they are a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component. For Maryland Applicants: I UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A POLYGRAP OR SIMILAR TEST. AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100. For Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. For Montana Applicants: If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39-2-901. For Rhode Island Applicants: Focus is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation. The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act. People matter here, not just as a catchphrase, but as a belief. And we’re building a firm that takes its work seriously and holds itself to a high standard, but also one that never forgets that the work is done by people. We’re growing and growth brings opportunity for learning, for advancement, and for building something lasting. We’d love to stay connected. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest company news, career opportunities, and a closer look at what it’s like to be part of our team. Don't see the opportunity for you? Join the prospect pool to stay connected and hear about future opportunities that may be a fit. Focus, a business division of Focus Financial Partners, brings together businesses across Wealth, Business Management, Family Office, and International. Collectively, these firms—spanning the U.S., Canada, and Australia—deliver a broad spectrum of financial advice solutions to individuals, families, and institutions. Our vision is clear: to be the leading fiduciary advice company in the world. For clients, that means an experience built around their needs. For advisors, it means access to the resources, tools, and capabilities typically available only at the largest global institutions. We believe talent is the key to realizing this vision. That’s why we invest in our people, support their growth, and create meaningful opportunities for development at every stage of their careers. #J-18808-Ljbffr Focus Partners Wealth