Leave & HR Compliance Consultant

Leaves & Hr Compliance ConsultantCome join one of America's fastest-growing insurance companies. Since 1848, National Life Group has aimed to keep our promises, providing families with stability in good times and in bad. Throughout that history, we have provided peace of mind to those families as they plan their futures.Our mission extends beyond the insurance and annuities policies that we offer. We strive to make the world a better place through our grants from our charitable foundation, paid volunteer time for our employees, environmentally sustainable and healthy workplaces, and events that promote the work of nonprofits in our own backyard.We foster a collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and encourage our associates to live our values: Do Good. Be Good. Make Good.Role SummaryPlease note that we do not offer visa sponsorship for this position.The Leaves & HR Compliance Consultant owns the enterprise leave of absence, workplace accommodation, and HR compliance programs, establishing operational standards, governance, and continuous improvement initiatives that support business objectives at National Life.This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment and benefits laws, while delivering a consistent, compliant, and compassionate associate experience. The role also provides oversight of HR policy governance and regulatory readiness.Reporting to the Head of Benefits, this position partners closely with HR, payroll, legal, and business leaders to align leave and accommodation practices with National Life's values, operational goals, and employee experience priorities. In addition, this role provides broader HR compliance oversight to support adherence to employment laws/regulations, internal policies, and audit readiness.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesLeave & Accommodation ProgramsLead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of leave of absence and accommodation programs, including FMLA, ADA, PWFA, USERRA, state leave programs, parental leave, and company-sponsored leavesEstablish and maintain scalable processes that balance compliance, efficiency, and employee experienceOversee the end-to-end administration of leave and accommodation cases, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistencyGuide complex and escalated cases, including ADA accommodations and intermittent leave scenarios, serving as escalation pointMonitor regulatory changes and proactively update policies, procedures, and practicesDefine service level expectations and operational metrics.Monitor operational performance and implement process improvements.HR ComplianceEnsure compliance with all applicable employment regulations and internal policiesMonitor regulatory changes and proactively recommend updates to policies, practices, and proceduresPartner with legal and HR leadership to interpret laws and implement compliant, practical solutionsPayroll & Benefits CoordinationPartner with Payroll to ensure accurate pay, deductions, and benefit continuation during leave eventsValidate payroll impacts related to benefits, leave, and accommodationsCollaborate with Benefits and vendors to ensure seamless administration and communicationBenefits Compliance & Regulatory SupportSupport compliance activities related to health and welfare benefit plans in partnership with Benefits, legal, and external vendorsCoordinate and support preparation and timely filing of Form 5500 and associated schedules for applicable benefit plansSupport nondiscrimination testing (e.g., Section 125, 105(h), 410(b), 410(k)(3), 401(m)(2), 416, and other applicable testing) to ensure plan compliance and equityEnsure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable benefits regulationsSupport delivery of required associate notices and audit documentationPolicy Governance & Handbook ManagementMaintenance and governance of HR policies and procedures, including the Associate HandbookEnsure policies are updated in response to regulatory changes and aligned with company practicesManage communication of policy updates in partnership with CommunicationsData, Reporting & InsightsEstablish key performance indicators for leave administration and compliance.Analyze trends and implement operational improvements based on data.Develop and maintain reporting on compliance activitiesPartner with HR analytics teams to align reporting with broader workforce insightsLeadership & DevelopmentFoster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-centric serviceSet performance standards and ensure delivery of high-quality, timely outcomesSupport HR Business Partners and business leaders on compliance, policy, and associate-related mattersCross-Functional PartnershipPartner with HR Business Partners, managers, and associates to provide guidance on leave, accommodations, and compliance processesCollaborate with legal, compensation, talent, IT, and external vendors to ensure aligned solutionsServe as a trusted advisor on complex associate leave/accommodation situationsMinimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience8-10 years of experience in leave of absence, accommodations, HR compliance, and/or benefits administrationExperience leading compliance programs requiredKnowledge of FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and state/local leave lawsUnderstanding of employment law and HR compliance requirements across multiple statesWorking knowledge of benefits compliance (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA)Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skillsAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentExcellent communication and stakeholder management skillsAbility to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretionProject management and process improvement capabilitiesProficiency with HRIS systems, leave management platforms, and Microsoft Office toolsPreferred QualificationsPHR/SPHR or similar certification preferred, such as CEBS, CBP, or CLMSDeep knowledge of FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and state/local leave lawsExperience in insurance or financial services industryStrong understanding of employment law and HR compliance requirements across multiple statesStrong project management and process improvement capabilitiesAI Proficiency ExpectationsAt National Life Group, we view AI as an enabler of human potential. We use AI to help us work smarter, serve more clients, and keep our promises, while remaining a relationship-driven business where our people are our greatest strength.All applicants are expected to:Leverage approved AI tools, where appropriate, to improve the efficiency, quality, and impact of their work.Stay curious and open to new AI-enabled ways of working.Exercise sound judgment by reviewing and validating AI-generated content.Maintain accountability for the accuracy, quality, fairness, and integrity of work products by adhering to National Life's AI guiding principles.Use AI responsibly and in accordance with company policies related to confidentiality, data privacy, security, compliance, retention, and intellectual property.Core CompetenciesCultivates Innovation – Fosters innovation by taking calculated risks and working cooperatively with others to produce innovative solutions.Ensures Accountability – Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments and performance goals.Directs Work – Provides direction, delegates when appropriate, and removes obstacles to achieve results.Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence – Recognizes, understands, and manages emotions and their impact on others.Exhibits Critical and Creative Thinking – Applies logic and reasoning to make sound decisions while developing innovative solutions to solve complex problems.Leads Change – Facilitates change and transition at the individual and team level and aligns compensation initiatives with organizational evolution.Inspires Others – Motivates and influences others by creating an environment where teams can do their best work and partnering across the organization to achieve results.Benefits