Sr Manager, Leave of Absence and Workers' Compensation

2626 W Beryl Ave Phoenix Arizona, 85021,

Position Description:

Oversees the Leave of Absence and Workers’ Compensation teams regarding the administration of Team Member leave of absence, workers’ compensation claims, and accommodation requests in accordance with federal, state, and local laws for Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona (GCNA), and its affiliated entities. This role ensures compliance with Company Policy, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), Pump Act, Military Leave, Workers’ Compensation laws, and all other local and state, or federal leave laws. This role leads a high-performing team and ensures legal compliance while ensuring the team operates as strategic partners with business area leaders to solve problems, leverage opportunities, and minimize risk.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversees and manages the full cycle of administration of Family Medical Leave (FMLA), State Leave Laws, Military Leave, Americans with Disabilities (ADA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), Pump Act, which includes but is not limited to: leave intake, interactive process, documentation, review of leaves certifications, file preparation, tracking, monitoring, notification, and documenting the use of time off for all leave, accommodation, and workers’ compensation cases.
• Proactively reviews analytics regarding leaves, accommodations, and workers’ compensation; ensures the team provides appropriate intervention and/or corrective action such as training opportunities; and develops and executes proactive training and tools to support business strategy.
• Ensures the interactive process for accommodation requests is compliant with the ADA and other applicable laws; works with Team Members, leaders, and healthcare providers to assess and implement reasonable accommodations.
• Oversees the management of workers’ compensation claims, working with Team Members, insurance providers, and adjusters; ensures timely reporting and follow-up on claims while facilitating an effective return to work program and modified duty assignment.
• Ensures timely and accurate tracking, communication, and documentation of all cases.
• Partners with legal on cases as needed.
• Partners with payroll and benefits to ensure accurate pay and benefits continuation during leaves.
• Stays up to date on applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to leave, accommodations, and workers' compensation, ensuring all processes are compliant; reviews and updates company policies as needed to reflect legal changes or best practices.
• Builds high-performing teams through developing and implementing operational plans, including clear goals and success metrics.
• Leads direct reports to advise and coach all levels of leadership in the following areas: leave of absence, accommodation, and workers’ compensation.
• Interprets and applies understanding of corporate policies and practices, employment law, and other regulations to provide advice, guidance, or clarification for leave, accommodation, or workers’ compensation inquiries.
• Collaborates with senior leadership in problem-solving to achieve department, organization, and team goals.
• Demonstrates best-in-class customer service; builds relationships across the organization to ensure trust, confidence, and credibility remain intact.
• Leads high-profile projects to successful completion through strong collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Manages relationships with external vendors as assigned.
• Serves as escalation point of contact for leadership and Team Members regarding senior or executive level requests.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and business logic.
• Identifies and drives process improvement initiatives within the team/department to foster an environment of continuous improvement.
• Ensures budget adherence oversight & development for assigned area of responsibility.
• Maintains regular and consistent in-person attendance.
• Travels to company locations as needed.
• May perform duties after hours, if needed.
• Responsible for performance management (coaching, discipline, performance improvement plans, and annual reviews), staffing, compensation, and development of Team Members.
• Plays a critical role in driving company culture change efforts and change management processes.
• Models Goodwill Core Values – Trust, Collaboration, Engagement, Ownership, and Innovation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills):

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or another related field, preferred.  High School degree or GED required.
• 7+ years’ of prior leadership experience.
• 7+ years of leave of absence and accommodation experience.
• Customer-focused orientation with strong communication skills and the ability to function as an effective and respected partner to internal clients.
• Experience with California employment laws and leave of absence administration preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the proven ability to drive communication across a broader group.
• Must have thorough knowledge of and ability to apply and interpret federal and state laws and regulations regarding leave tracking and eligibility determination.
• Proven ability to be analytical and handle confidential and sensitive data effectively with strong attention to detail.
• Attention to detail and well-organized.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks while still delivering high-quality results in a fast-paced environment, working well under pressure.
• Proven ability to lead process improvement for human capital and/or operational issues.
• Thorough working knowledge of current state and federal rules and regulations regarding employment law.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple processes with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to explain difficult issues and information clearly, ensuring communication is understood.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, train, and motivate others.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver's license and clean MVR.
• Must maintain auto insurance at all times, which is equal to or in excess of the state minimum.
• Ability to pass a background check and drug screen, where applicable for the position.

You will be eligible for a comprehensive Total Rewards package, 1st of the month following 60 days of employment that includes the following:

• 5 Medical Plans
• Employer Funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• 3 Dental Plans
• Vision Plan
• 401K (Immediate participation upon hire)
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Time Off; Sick and Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• These are just a few highlights of our key benefit offerings!

Become a valuable part of our team and work for a company which has been named a Best Place to work by the Phoenix Business Journal 4 out of the last 5 years. Work for a company which has seen double digit growth year after year for nearly a decade. Work for a company which values diversity and is centered on success. Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona - We Put People to Work!

Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona endeavors to make our website accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact HR Support at 602-535-4000, option 5, or RecruitingOperations@goodwillaz.org.

We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, the presence of a non-job related medical condition or disability, or any other legally protected status. We will make reasonable accommodation and modification, including adaptive devices, to assist any person with a disability to apply for and, if hired, to perform the duties the position they seek. Assistance could include help in completing on-line application as well as providing alternative communication, e.g., Braille and Large Print.

PHISHING SCAM WARNING: Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona/Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, Inc. (“GCNA/GIMV”) are among several companies recently made aware of a phishing scam involving con artists posing as hiring managers recruiting via email, text and social media. The imposters are creating misleading email accounts, conducting remote “interviews,” and making artificial job offers in order to collect personal and financial information from unsuspecting individuals. Please note that GCNA/GIMV only use company email addresses, which contain “@goodwillaz.org” or @gimv.org”, to communicate with candidates via email. The company also uses secure tools on our website to receive data from applicants and would never ask them to submit their personal banking information to apply for an open job.  If you are contacted by someone about an open job at GCNA/GIMV, please verify the domain of the sender’s email address and that they are asking you to apply on this website. If you believe you have been a victim of a phishing scam, please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Smart website (https://www.cisa.gov/be-cyber-smart/campaign) to learn how to report it.