Hybrid Leave Strategy Lead

O’Melveny has an immediate opening for an experienced Leave Administration Manager in our California offices with hybrid work capabilities. Reporting to the Sr. Benefits & Wellbeing Manager, this role is responsible for the day‑to‑day administration and oversight of the firm’s U.S. leave of absence programs for all employee populations, including Business Professionals, Associates, and Partners. The role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant leave administration while delivering a consistent, high‑touch employee experience in a complex, highly regulated professional services environment. The Leave Administration Manager partners closely with the Sr. Wellbeing & Benefits Specialist, providing hands‑on mentorship and acting as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex or sensitive cases. Additionally, this role will evaluate current leave processes, tools, and vendor partnerships, providing strategic support and recommendations for improvements, leave platforms, and third‑party administrators (TPAs). The salary range in CA for this role is $140,000 - $165,000 and represents the firm’s good faith minimum and maximum range for this role at the time of posting. The actual compensation offered to a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and location. We offer an excellent salary and benefits package. Response will be given to candidates who closely meet our qualifications. EOE M/F/D/V. Leave Administration & Operations Administer and oversee all U.S. leave of absence programs, including FMLA, CFRA, short‑term and long‑term disability, parental leave, family leave, Workers’ Compensation, and other statutory or firm‑sponsored leaves. Manage leave cases end‑to‑end in partnership with the Sr. Wellbeing & Benefits Specialist. Advise employees, managers, and HR partners on leave entitlements, policies, benefit coordination, and procedures. Monitor leave balances and ensure timely, accurate communication. Act as an escalation point for complex, sensitive, or high‑risk leave cases. Systems, Vendors & Tools Partner with the Sr. Benefits & Wellbeing Manager to oversee the firm’s relationship with Unum Total Leave and external benefits brokers. Coordinate state and federal leave programs with firm policies. Maintain accurate leave tracking and documentation across Workday, Monday.com, and Unum Total Leave. Serve as a primary resource for HR teams on leave systems and processes. Liaise with the firm’s Workers’ Compensation carrier regarding escalated claims. Mentorship & Collaboration Provide day‑to‑day mentorship, guidance, and technical coaching to the Sr. Wellbeing & Benefits Specialist. Promote knowledge sharing, cross‑training, and consistent application of leave practices across the Benefits Team. Collaborate with HR colleagues, Payroll, Legal, and firm leadership to support compliant and employee‑centric leave administration. Compliance, Policy & Risk Management In collaboration with the Sr. Benefits & Wellbeing Manager and the Directors of HR and Employee Relations, ensure compliance with FMLA, CFRA, ADA, and other federal, state, and local leave laws. Review and recommend updates to HR leave policies and procedures. Support the resolution of complex compliance issues, with a focus on risk mitigation and employee experience. Process Evaluation & Strategic Support Collaborate with the Sr. Benefits and Wellbeing Manager to evaluate and enhance leave administration processes, workflows, tools, and controls. Assess the effectiveness of existing systems and vendor solutions, including integration between Workday, Monday.com, and Unum Total Leave. Support vendor evaluations, RFPs, and implementation efforts, including requirements gathering, process mapping, testing, and change management. Develop SOPs, maintain process documentation, and governance practices, and provide leave data and metrics for reporting. Continuous Improvement Stay current on legislative changes and industry best practices, with particular focus on California. Proactively leverage technology and data to improve service delivery, compliance, and operational efficiency. Participate in regular status meetings with benefits leadership and vendors. Knowledge, Skills And Experience Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree and/or professional HR certification preferred. Minimum of 7 years of HR and/or leave administration experience, including at least 3 years in a senior or lead capacity. Experience in a law firm or professional services environment strongly preferred. Demonstrated hands‑on experience administering FMLA, CFRA, ADA, and other federal, state, and local leave programs. Experience working with Unum Total Leave or similar third‑party leave administrators strongly preferred. Working knowledge of Workday, particularly leave administration modules, strongly preferred. Experience using Monday.com (or similar workflow/project‑tracking tools) to log, track, and manage leave cases. Experience evaluating or implementing leave platforms or TPAs a plus. Proven ability to mentor, coach, and collaborate with HR colleagues. Exceptional discretion, confidentiality, judgment, and professionalism. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively under pressure. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint). Willingness to work extended hours as needed to support time‑sensitive matters. #J-18808-Ljbffr O'Melveny & Myers LLP