Leave & Accommodation Program Lead

Patterson Companies; BLOOMINGTON, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Patterson Companies in Bloomington, MN is seeking a Leave Program Manager responsible for the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of leave of absence, disability, paid leave, accommodation, and return-to-work programs. The role ensures regulatory compliance and delivers an optimal employee experience across the enterprise.

You will serve as the subject matter expert on leave and accommodation programs, oversee third-party administrators, and drive process improvements through

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or related field, or equivalent education and/or experience
• 7 years of progressive experience in leave of absence, disability, accommodation administration, or related benefits experience
• 5 years of experience administering multi-state short-term disability, long-term disability, and state paid leave programs
• Experience working with an outsourced leave management program or third-party administrator supporting leave and accommodation requests

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, administer, and evaluate leave of absence, disability, paid leave, accommodation, and return-to-work programs to ensure regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness, and a positive employee experience
• Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert for protected leave, disability, accommodation, and return-to-work programs, providing consultation and direction on highly complex cases, escalated issues, and policy interpretation
• Lead the oversight and vendor management of third-party administrators, establishing service expectations, resolving escalated issues, monitoring compliance, and driving continuous improvements in service delivery and program outcomes
• Develop, maintain, and update leave-related policies, procedures, and program documentation, ensuring alignment with changing federal, state, and local laws and organizational objectives
• Partner with Human Resources, Legal, Payroll, Risk Management, Operations, and other stakeholders to implement compliant and effective leave and accommodation solutions that balance employee needs with business requirements
• Analyze program data, trends, regulatory developments, and operational metrics to identify risks, recommend strategic improvements, and implement solutions that enhance compliance, employee support, and organizational effectiveness
• Direct the development and administration of return-to-work and workplace accommodation programs, promoting timely and sustainable employee reintegration while reducing lost work time and supporting workforce productivity
• Provide guidance, coaching, and technical expertise to team members, managers, and HR partners regarding leave administration processes, regulatory requirements, and best practices
• Comply with Company and department policies and standards; performs other duties as assigned

Skills

Leave management

Regulatory compliance

Vendor management

Policy development

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Employee relations

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS

Leave management systems

Case management systems

Job description

Patterson Companies in Bloomington, MN is seeking a Leave Program Manager responsible for the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of leave of absence, disability, paid leave, accommodation, and return-to-work programs. The role ensures regulatory compliance and delivers an optimal employee experience across the enterprise.

You will serve as the subject matter expert on leave and accommodation programs, oversee third-party administrators, and drive process improvements through