Leave of Absence Manager

We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM.

The Absence Manager serves as the subject matter expert on RSM leave of absence, workers compensation, disability and accommodations policies and programs and is the primary point of contact for vendors, business partners and escalated issues.  The Absence Manager will use an integrated approach, collaborate across functional areas to resolve related matters, ensure proper execution of RSM leave policies, manage third-party vendor relationships and facilitate compliance with legal requirements. The role will oversee the Leave Administration team that will handle day to day administration of leaves and workers compensation claims as well as with third party vendors and Risk Management. The Absence Manager continually looks for process improvement regarding the leave of absence process and ensures repeatable processes by the Leave Administration team are documented.  The Absence Manager will work with internal and external resources to identify and implement new leave law requirements and analyze the impact on the firm and employee population.  The Absence Manager will work with internal stakeholders and partners closely with HRBPs on all escalated decisions.

Essential Duties

Leave of Absence:

• In collaboration with the Benefits Center of Excellence, responsible for the strategic development of RSM’s global Leave of Absence programs including but not limited to STD, LTD, FMLA, state leaves, parenting leave and caregiver leave.
• Evaluates leave of absence process and identifies opportunities for improvements and implements recommended enhancements to process.
• Creates efficiencies towards internal Leave of Absence processes and procedures
• Manages third party vendor relationships for leave of absence; ensures accurateness of information being provided by third party vendors
• Partners with payroll department to ensure proper and correct data is being received
• Creates and conducts leave of absence training programs for stakeholders
• Evaluates market to benchmark plans to ensure designs remain competitive
• Creates return to work programs to assist in transitioning employees back into the workforce
• Develop global leave of absence program in alignment with RSM’s Total Rewards strategy
• Coordinates day to day leave administration with third party vendors and Talent Operations – Leave Administration team
• Ensures proper placement of instructions and leave information on RSM intranet
• Manages complex cases
• Is aware of new compliance requirements and leave laws, works with third party consultants and internal partners to evaluate the impact to the firm, provides recommendation and executes implementation of new requirement.

Disability:

• Manages third party vendor relationships
• Partners with benefits director and outside consultants to evaluate disability program and vendor alternatives and provides recommendations to senior leadership when changes are needed.
• Collaborates with human resources, legal and employee relations stakeholders on complex cases
• Coordinates day to day administration with third party vendor and claim filing process with benefits team

Accommodations:

• Responsible for managing the Reasonable Accommodation (ADA) process with regard to employee leaves and when requests come up outside of leaves
• Act as the subject matter expert for accommodation programs; use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze and resolve complicated or sensitive claims.
• Coordinate escalations with Employee Relations case management team
• Partner with Employee Relations to define and implement accommodations program.
• Promote knowledge and understanding for leaders and employees regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act and accommodations program
• Develop templates/ tools and coach on how to facilitate and administratively document the interactive process with employees seeking a reasonable accommodation in partnership with leadership and other key resources to ensure compliance with all federal and state laws. 

Workers Compensation:

• Partners with the National Office of Risk Management to execute workers compensation processes
• Ensure alignment and coordination with relevant leave of absence requirements
• Coordinates day to day administration and claim filing with benefits team.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS

• BA/BS Degree - Required

TECHNICAL/SOFT SKILLS

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite – Required
• Proficient in medical terminology – Preferred
• Demonstrated data collection, analytic and data reporting/presentation skills required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to interact with all levels of employees within the organization required
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once – Required
• Demonstrate skills critical thinking - Required
• Project management experience – Preferred
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills with demonstrated problem solving and analytical skills required.
• High level of confidentiality required

EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years’ experience coordinating leave of absence and accommodations - Required
• Familiarity with related employment laws and ensuring compliance - Required
• Superior customer skills – Required
• General understanding of employee benefits as they relate to leaves of absence, including short/long term disability, COBRA, multi-state disability programs, ADA, FMLA, workers’ compensation, etc.- Required
• 3-5 years working in collaborative or team environment – Required
• 1-2 years supervisory experience

At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. 

Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at careers@rsmus.com.

RSM does not intend to hire entry level candidates who will require sponsorship now OR in the future (i.e. F-1 visa holders). If you are a recent U.S. college / university graduate possessing 1-2 years of progressive and relevant work experience in a same or similar role to the one for which you are applying, excluding internships, you may be eligible for hire as an experienced associate.

RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the requirements of applicable law, including but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For additional information regarding RSM’s background check process, including information about job duties that necessitate the use of one or more types of background checks, click here.

At RSM, an employee’s pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.