Leaves & HR Compliance Manager

Please note that we do not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

The Manager, Leaves & HR Compliance 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. 

• Lead 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 leaves 

• Establish and maintain scalable processes that balance compliance, efficiency, and employee experience 

• Oversee the end-to-end administration of leave and accommodation cases, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistency 

• Guide complex and escalated cases, including ADA accommodations and intermittent leave scenarios, serving as escalation point 

• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively update policies, procedures, and practices 

• Define service level expectations and operational metrics. 

• Monitor operational performance and implement process improvements.  

• Ensure compliance with all applicable employment regulations and internal policies  

• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively recommend updates to policies, practices, and procedures  

• Partner with legal and HR leadership to interpret laws and implement compliant, practical solutions 

• Maintenance and governance of HR policies and procedures, including the Associate Handbook  

• Ensure policies are updated in response to regulatory changes and aligned with company practices  

• Manage communication of policy updates in partnership with Communications 

• Establish key performance indicators for leave administration and compliance.  

• Analyze trends and implement operational improvements based on data.  

• Develop and maintain reporting on compliance activities 

• Partner with HR analytics teams to align reporting with broader workforce insights  

• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-centric service 

• Set performance standards and ensure delivery of high-quality, timely outcomes 

• Support HR Business Partners and business leaders on compliance, policy, and associate-related matters 

• Partner with HR Business Partners, managers, and associates to provide guidance on leave, accommodations, and compliance processes  

• Collaborate with legal, compensation, talent, IT, and external vendors to ensure aligned solutions  

• Serve as a trusted advisor on complex associate leave/accommodation situations 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience 

• 8-10 years of experience in leave of absence, accommodations, HR compliance, and/or benefits administration 

• Experience leading compliance programs required  

• Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and state/local leave laws  

• Understanding of employment law and HR compliance requirements across multiple states 

• Working knowledge of benefits compliance (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA)  

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills  

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment 

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills  

• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion  

• Project management and process improvement capabilities  

• Proficiency with HRIS systems, leave management platforms, and Microsoft Office tools 

• PHR/SPHR or similar certification preferred, such as CEBS, CBP, or CLMS 

• Deep knowledge of FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and state/local leave laws  

• Experience in insurance or financial services industry  

• Strong understanding of employment law and HR compliance requirements across multiple states 

• Strong project management and process improvement capabilities  

At 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. 

• 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. 

• Cultivates 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.