Leave & Workers Compensation Specialist

Vestas; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vestas in Houston, TX is seeking a Leave and Workers Compensation Specialist to manage complex leave cases, accommodations, and workers compensation across sites. You will partner with leaders, HR stakeholders, and a third-party administrator to ensure compliant, timely, and positive employee experiences.

The role requires mastery of policy interpretation, data-driven insights, and proactive process improvements, with a focus on risk management and cost control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, risk management, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years in leave administration, accommodations, workers' comp, benefits, HR operations with complex-case handling.
• Experience supporting multi-location or manufacturing environments.
• Vendor management experience and handling service escalations.
• Strong consultation, stakeholder management, problem-solving, negotiation, analytical and written/spoken communication skills.
• Ability to lead through influence, handle confidential information, remain composed in sensitive situations.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams; case management/vendor platforms experience.
• Bilingual English and Spanish a plus.
• Relevant professional certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as strategic partner to leaders on complex leave, accommodation, and workers' comp matters.
• Own escalated, high-risk, or near-termination cases with timely alignment and proper referrals.
• Provide guidance on policy interpretation, case strategy, and return-to-work planning.
• Identify trends; recommend policy, process, technology, training, and service improvements.
• Translate leave and workers' compensation data into actionable insights and actions.
• Independently manage complex leave cases through the claim lifecycle.
• Lead interactive accommodation processes with stakeholders; document decisions and actions.
• Oversee inquiries from state paid-leave programs and benefits coordination.
• Oversee vendor reviews and ensure service commitments are met.
• Develop claim strategies focused on care, safe return to work, and cost control.

Skills

HR operations

Leave administration

Workers compensation

Vendor management

Stakeholder communication

Confidentiality & professionalism

Excel/Office suite

Bilingual English/Spanish

Professional certification

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Equivalent experience considered

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Teams

Case management systems

Vendor platforms

Job description

Houston, TX, US, 77002 Windsor, CO, US, 80550-3397

Work experience Professional

Type of position Full-Time

Job Family Human Resource Management

Key Responsibilities

The Leave and Workers Compensation Specialist serves as a strategic partner to the business and a subject-matter resource for leave of absence, workplace accommodations, and workers compensation. The role independently manages complex cases and escalations, provides consultative guidance to leaders and P&C stakeholders, and holds third-party administrators and vendors accountable for service, compliance, employee experience, and operational outcomes. The Specialist also identifies trends, improves processes, and supports consistent application of policies across the organization.

Strategic Partnership and Escalation Management

Act as a strategic partner to business leaders, P&C stakeholders, Payroll, HSE, Risk, Legal, and site leadership on complex leave, accommodation, and workers compensation matters.

Own and resolve escalated, sensitive, high-risk, or near-termination cases, ensuring timely stakeholder alignment, clear documentation, and appropriate referral to HRBP, Legal, or other experts.

Provide consultative guidance on policy interpretation, case strategy, return-to-work planning, operational risk, and employee experience.

Identify recurring issues and emerging trends; recommend practical policy, process, technology, training, and service improvements.

Support business planning by translating leave and workers compensation data into insights, risks, and recommended actions.

Leave of Absence and Accommodation Administration

Independently manage complex leave cases throughout the claim lifecycle and serve as a point of escalation for employees, managers, P&C stakeholders, and the third-party administrator.

Lead the interactive accommodation process with employees, managers, P&C, the TPA, and other stakeholders; document options, decisions, and follow-up actions.

Manage inquiries from state paid-leave programs and monitor coordination between statutory, company, and vendor-administered benefits.

Oversee shared leave inboxes, case queues, reports, knowledge content, and service standards to ensure timely and consistent responses.

Workers Compensation

Lead the pre-claim and claim intake process promptly, coordinating initial facts, wage information, medical documentation, and required reporting.

Manage complex or litigated claims in partnership with the employee, manager, TPA, medical providers, Risk, HSE, attorneys, and other stakeholders.

Develop claim strategies focused on appropriate care , safe return to work, cost stewardship, compliance, and timely resolution.

Coordinate claim closure activities, including fitness-for-duty, transitional work, settlements, hearings, reimbursements, and documentation.

Partner with the Risk Manager regarding reserves and settlement authority; review claim developments and challenge assumptions when appropriate .

Analyze claim trends, root causes, cycle times, costs, and outcomes; partner with HSE and business leaders on prevention and corrective actions.

Conduct periodic file reviews and audits to verify documentation quality, regulatory compliance, financial accuracy, and vendor performance.

Serve as the primary operational relationship lead for leave and workers compensation TPAs and related vendors.

Establish and monitor service expectations, performance measures, issue logs, escalation paths, and corrective action plans.

Lead recurring vendor reviews, evaluate service quality and case outcomes, and ensure commitments are completed on time.

Review reports, invoices, fees, and contractual deliverables for accuracy and alignment with agreed services; escalation material concerns.

Partner with Procurement, Legal, Benefits, Risk, and P&C leadership on vendor selection, implementation, renewal, and contract or service discussions.

Coordinate vendor communications, system or process changes, testing, and stakeholder readiness activities.

Program Operations, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement

Monitor applicable federal, state, and local requirements and vendor updates; assess operational impact and coordinate timely process or communication changes.

Partner with stakeholders to drive consistent policy application, documentation, controls, and recordkeeping across locations.

Develop and maintain procedures, job aids, templates, knowledge articles, escalation protocols, and audit documentation.

Design and facilitate training for supervisors, employees, and P&C stakeholders using media appropriate to the audience and subject.

Lead or contribute to projects, implementations, annual benefit activities, webinars, and cross-functional initiatives.

Provide coaching and technical guidance to team members; share expertise and promote consistent case management practices.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

Deliver a high level of service with empathy, discretion, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented approach.

Independently prioritize high-volume, time-sensitive work while maintaining accurate and complete documentation.

Communicate complex or technical information clearly to audiences with varying levels of knowledge.

Influence outcomes across functions without direct authority and navigate competing business and employee needs.

Use data, reports, and case information to identify risk, draw conclusions, and recommend action.

Use Microsoft Office applications, internal databases, external software, and TPA systems effectively.

Manage shared Outlook inboxes and case queues according to established controls and service expectations.

Travel up to 10 percent based on business needs and budget.

Maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

Bachelor degree in Human Resources , Business, Risk Management, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in leave administration, workplace accommodations, workers compensation, employee benefits, HR operations, or a related discipline, including experience independently managing complex cases.

Experience supporting a multi-location organization; manufacturing or other operational environments preferred.

Demonstrated experience managing vendor relationships, performance issues, and service escalations.

Working knowledge of leave, accommodation, workers compensation, and paid-leave requirements, with the ability to recognize when legal or specialized guidance is needed.

Experience working with insurance carriers, TPAs, medical providers, attorneys, payroll teams, and business leaders.

Strong consultation, stakeholder management, problem-solving, negotiation, analytical, and written and verbal communication skills.

Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, handle confidential information, and remain composed in sensitive situations.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams ; experience using case management or vendor platforms preferred.

Bilingual English and Spanish skills are a plus.

Relevant professional certification is preferred.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $105,000-$120,000 annually. Final compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.

Our commitment to a fair hiring

At Vestas, we evaluate all candidates solely based on their professional experience, education, and relevant skills. To support a fair recruitment process, we kindly ask that you remove any photos, dates of birth or graduation, gender pronouns, marital status, or other personal information not relevant to the role before submitting your CV/resume. Your CV/resume should focus on your professional and educational background, along with the necessary contact details (email and phone number). We train our hiring teams in inclusive evaluation and regularly review process outcomes to ensure fairness.

DEIB Statement

At Vestas, we recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and success. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may hesitate due to their identity or feel they do not meet every criterion. As our CEO states, "Expertise and talent come in many forms, and a diverse workforce enhances our ability to think differently and solve the complex challenges of our industry". Your unique perspective is what will help us powering the solution for a sustainable, green energy future.

About Vestas

Vestas is the energy industry’s global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We are specialised in designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing wind turbines, both onshore and offshore.Across the globe, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. We consider ourselves pioneers within the industry, as we continuously aim to design new solutions and technologies to create a more sustainable future for all of us. With more than 200 GW of wind power installed worldwide and 40+ years of experience in wind energy, we have an unmatched track record demonstrating our expertise within the field.With 39,000 employees globally, we are a diverse team united by a common goal: to power the solution – today, tomorrow, and far into the future.Vestas promotes a diverse workforce which embraces all social identities and is free of any discrimination. We commit to create and sustain an environment that acknowledges and harvests different experiences, skills, and perspectives. We also aim to give everyone equal access to opportunity.To learn more about our company and life at Vestas, we invite you to visit our website at www.vestas.com and follow us on our social media channels. We also encourage you to join our Talent Universe to receive notifications on new and relevant postings.