Leave of Absence Specialist - Team Lead

About the role

The LOA Specialist – Team Lead oversees daily leave operations, manages a specialized administrative team, and serves as the primary technical resource for complex absence management. This role ensures company compliance with federal, state, and complex California-specific leave laws (including FMLA, CFRA, PDL, and workers' compensation interaction) while driving team productivity, developing policy, and managing vendor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Operations: Manage daily workflows, assign tasks, conduct training, and lead the hiring and onboarding of team members; develop formal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Compliance & Technical Oversight: Serve as the primary technical escalation point for complex cases; ensure strict adherence to federal and state (specifically CA) regulations.
• Benefits Oversight: Manage the compliant continuation of group health benefits and premium collection processes across all concurrent and consecutive federal, state, and California-specific leave types (including FMLA, CFRA, and PDL).
• Accommodation Leave Partnership: Partner with HRBPs to ensure the team is compliantly administering and tracking leaves associated with workplace accommodations.
• Program & Vendor Management: Partner with leadership on policy design, benefits continuation, and vendor selection and oversight.
• Case Administration: Independently manage a reduced, highly complex leave caseload utilizing automated absence management and payroll platforms.

Requirements

• Experience: 4–7 years of multi-state leave administration experience (in-house preferred); and a minimum of 2 years in a leadership or senior HR capacity role.
• Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in MS Office; Experience with Workday and AbsenceSoft is highly preferred.
• Knowledge Base: Deep understanding of California specific leave laws (CFRA, PDL, PFL) alongside a strong understanding of federal and other multi-state regulations.
• Certifications: Certified Leave Management Specialist designation is a plus.

Qualifications

• Advanced problem-solving, high discretion in handling confidential data, ability to work highly independently, handle multiple tasks simultaneously with exceptional cross-functional communication skills.

Skills

• Strong proficiency in MS Office.
• Experience with Workday and AbsenceSoft.
• Deep understanding of California specific leave laws (CFRA, PDL, PFL).
• Strong understanding of federal and other multi-state regulations.
• Certified Leave Management Specialist designation.

Benefits

• Medical/dental/vision coverage.
• Company-provided life insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Sick/vacation plans.

Pay

Compensation will be based upon the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

Schedule

The ideal candidate will reside in Arizona and be able to support an 8:00am - 5:00pm PST schedule.