Manager, STD & Absence Claims — Lead & Elevate

Symetra; United States; Remote; USD 73,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Hybrid/remote work options

Job summary

Symetra seeks a Manager, STD & Absence Claims to lead a team responsible for short-term disability and absence management claims.

You will coach a high-performing team, use data to drive improvements, and ensure compliant claim administration while collaborating with internal stakeholders.

This role emphasizes leadership, analytics, and process optimization to deliver excellent customer experiences and business results.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Short-Term Disability and Absence Management claims.
• Previous people leadership experience, including coaching, performance management, and talent development.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using reporting and trend analysis to inform decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of an organization.
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; Power BI experience is a plus.
• Experience with ClaimVantage, Salesforce, and/or FINEOS preferred.
• CLMS certification is a plus.
• Willingness to travel occasionally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of STD and Absence claims professionals to achieve quality, service, productivity, and customer experience goals.
• Use reporting, analytics, and trend data to identify opportunities for operational improvement and drive performance outcomes.
• Monitor workflows, workloads, and claim decisions to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant claim administration.
• Conduct audits and quality reviews, providing meaningful coaching and feedback to support team development.
• Partner with legal, sales, implementation, and other internal stakeholders to resolve complex cases and deliver exceptional service.
• Serve as a technical resource on STD, leave management, ERISA, state regulations, and claims practices.
• Balance customer advocacy with effective risk management and sound claim decision-making.
• Support broker and customer inquiries, finalist meetings, and education efforts related to claim philosophy and processes.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive team culture where employees can grow and succeed.
• Lead or participate in strategic initiatives and continuous improvement projects that enhance team effectiveness and customer outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Analytics

Communication

Collaboration

Project management

Change management

Travel readiness

Training & coaching

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Power BI

Salesforce

ClaimVantage

FINEOS

Job description

Symetra seeks a Manager, STD & Absence Claims to lead a team responsible for short-term disability and absence management claims.

You will coach a high-performing team, use data to drive improvements, and ensure compliant claim administration while collaborating with internal stakeholders.

This role emphasizes leadership, analytics, and process optimization to deliver excellent customer experiences and business results.