Absence Management Consultant

Alliant; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliant consultant role focuses on absence and disability program development, implementation, and monitoring for assigned accounts. Expertise in FMLA, workers' compensation, return-to-work, ADA, and related leave management is required.

The position involves evaluating third-party administrator performance, negotiating with carriers, and coordinating with external vendors to optimize client outcomes. Travel is expected to support client engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten or more years of related work experience in absence and disability management.
• Strong communication, planning, and analytical skills; continuing education requirements for license renewal or credential.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and evaluates absence management strategies across disability and leave programs.
• Evaluates performance of disability programs and vendors; reviews data and claims handling practices.
• Analyzes disability incidence and duration to drive improvement initiatives.
• Integrates healthcare disability programs with health benefits and manages client relationships.
• Engages in team selling, RFP responses, and manages vendor contracts and communications.
• Stays updated on legislative changes affecting absence and disability benefits.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Communication

Problem solving

Time management

Planning

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Ten (10) or more years of experience

Job description

SUMMARY

Acts as a Consultant to assigned accounts, including servicing and/or business development. Expert in all time-off benefit programs, with special emphasis in Absence and Disability program development, implementation and monitoring.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops, implements, and evaluates/adjusts absence management strategies, particularly in the areas of disability, occupational and non-occupational disability, FMLA, workers compensation, statutory and non-statutory leave management programs, return to work programs, and ADA;
• Evaluates the performance of insured/self-funded disability programs for change options and best potential outcomes. This includes evaluation of third party administrators and insurers by investigating and assessing program performance, conducting quality and control audits, reviewing claim data and claim handling practices;
• Conducts detailed analysis of disability incidence and duration and develops specific initiatives to positively impact these metrics via the utilization of best practices;
• Develops and implements strategies that integrate healthcare disability programs, and mitigates the impact of disabilities/absences on health benefits programs (insured or self-funded);
• Manages all client required services and maintains client relationships;
• Participates in team selling process including finalist interviews and RFP responses;
• Understands, evaluates, coordinates, and optimizes external resources available from carriers, employer health departments, and other applicable vendors to effectively assist clients;
• Promotes to clients other services offered by our firm including Individual Disability and Voluntary Benefit program strategies;
• Provides analysis and recommendations concerning client's existing coverages;
• Selects carriers for solicitation and negotiates with carriers for benefit and premium considerations;
• Receives and responds to client inquiries including benefit and claim questions and issues;
• Reviews client coverage contracts and amendments for accuracy;
• Manages and negotiates third party vendor relationships and contracts on behalf of the client;
• Review of internal compliance and client disclosure requirements, external vendor contracts, summary plan documents, insurance certificates and policies, performance guarantees and employee communications to ensure alignment with client expectations, business requirements documents, and legal requirements;
• Manages vendor stewardship meetings including review and refinement of vendor developed program stewardship meeting materials;
• Stays abreast of all legislative issues/updates that affect absence and disability benefit programs;
• Stays abreast of all vendor/carrier new product offerings;
• Contributes to Intellectual Capital development by drafting White Papers, Case Studies, POV statements, etc.;
• Manages all client required services through frequent client interaction and maintains client relationships;
• Moderate travel required – approximately five days per month;
• Collection of fees, reconciliation and resolution of any outstanding balances within 60 days of invoicing date;
• Complies with agency management system data standards and data integrity (enters and maintains complete and accurate information);
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ten (10) or more years of related work experience
• Understanding of the principles of absence and disability management and assistive technology
• Must continue to meet Continuing Education requirements for license renewal or credential

SKILLS

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent problem solving and time management skills
• Excellent planning, organizational and prioritization skills
• Ability to lead a team and to foster teamwork