Senior Manager, Absence and Accommodations

Cox Enterprises; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cox Automotive in Atlanta, GA is seeking a Senior Manager, Absence & Accommodations to lead the strategy, compliance, and delivery of absence and accommodations programs across CAI. The role requires deep expertise in FMLA, ADA, FMCSA, PWFA, and Workers’ Compensation, and interfaces with Legal, HR, and ESC teams to optimize operations and employee experience.

The ideal candidate will oversee end-to-end leave and accommodation processes, guide cross-functional stakeholders, drive process

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field.
• 3+ years’ experience in a management or leadership role.
• Proven experience leading leave of absence, accommodations, and/or HR operations programs in a complex organization.
• Advanced knowledge of leave and accommodation laws, including FMLA, ADA, and related regulations.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives.
• Strong background in process improvement, change management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to influence and build partnerships across all organizational levels, including executives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and analytical skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, compliance, and delivery of absence and accommodations programs across CAI.
• Oversee end-to-end leave, accommodation, and claims management processes.
• Manage M&A-related leave transitions and integration planning.
• Interpret and operationalize CBAs; implement process enhancements with Labor Relations.
• Develop operating frameworks to ensure regulatory compliance and audit readiness.
• Partner with HR, Legal, ESC, and other stakeholders to design integrated workflows.
• Maintain SOPs, knowledge articles, and training materials for teams.
• Monitor KPIs and drive continuous improvement across operations.

Skills

Leave administration

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Job description

Cox Automotive is currently seeking a Senior Manager, Absence & Accommodations to join our team. Candidates must reside within the Eastern or Central time zones of the United States. Atlanta, GA is the preferred location and operates under a hybrid work arrangement. Candidates located elsewhere within the Eastern or Central time zones will be considered for remote employment.

Job Summary:

The Senior Manager, Absence & Accommodations leads the strategy, compliance, and delivery of Cox Automotive’s (CAI) absence and accommodations programs. This role requires deep expertise in federal and state regulations, including FMLA, ADA, FMCSA, PWFA, and Workers’ Compensation, as well as internal leave and accommodation policies, to ensure compliant and effective administration of applicable benefits.

Serving as the subject matter expert (SME) and trusted advisor, this leader provides strategic direction, guidance, and support to the CAI Absence & Accommodations Operations team, Employee Service Center (ESC) teams and leaders, Legal, and other key stakeholders. The role also leads large-scale, enterprise-wide initiatives, develops and operationalizes best practices, and builds strong stakeholder partnerships to optimize operational effectiveness and enhance the employee experience.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Strategic Oversight

• Manages a team of multi-level Absence & Accommodations advocates responsible for the end-to-end administration of leave, accommodation, and claims management processes across CAI.
• Leads Absence & Accommodations activities related to mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and business transitions, including due diligence, operational readiness, risk assessment, and integration planning.
• Oversees M&A-related claims transitions, ensuring accurate transfer of eligibility data, utilization history, and leave status for both in-house and third-party administrator (TPA) managed populations.
• Interprets and operationalizes requirements within union Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), implementing process enhancements in partnership with the Labor Relations Center of Excellence.
• Develops and implements operational processes to support compliance with federal regulations, including but not limited to FMCSA, OFCCP, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation requirements.
• Partners cross-functionally with Environmental Health & Safety, Workers’ Compensation, DOT, Legal, HR Compliance, and other stakeholders to design and execute integrated Absence & Accommodations workflows.
• Establishes and maintains governance, quality, and compliance frameworks to mitigate risk and ensure operational excellence and audit readiness.
• Serves as the escalation point for complex leave and accommodation matters, driving resolution and continuous improvement across both in-house and TPA-supported processes.
• Translates enterprise strategy into scalable operational plans, standardizing best practices and driving consistency across the Absence & Accommodations lifecycle.
• Acts as a trusted advisor to HR leaders and business stakeholders on Absence & Accommodations policies, compliance requirements, and operational best practices to support an exceptional employee experience.

Operational Excellence and Process Improvement

• Oversees end-to-end leave and accommodation programs, including FMLA, STD, ADA, LTD, Workers’ Compensation, and company leave policies, ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Develops scalable processes, procedures, and tools that drive consistency and efficiency across both in-house and TPA managed absence and accommodations programs.
• Identifies, designs, and implements process improvements to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and overall effectiveness of Absence & Accommodations operations.
• Establishes, monitors, and continuously refines operational KPIs, service level standards, and compliance controls to ensure a high-quality employee experience and regulatory adherence.
• Applies deep subject matter expertise to the design, implementation, and optimization of transactional and service delivery processes across the Absence & Accommodations lifecycle.
• Drives operational innovation and continuous improvement through the strategic use of AI-enabled solutions, workflow automation, intelligent case management, and enhanced cross-functional collaboration.

Stakeholder Management and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partners closely with HR Technology, Benefits, Compensation, Payroll, and the ESC to identify, design, and implement technology enhancements and integrated workflows that support evolving business needs.
• Contributes to the development and execution of operational strategies, policies, and practices that drive quality, efficiency, compliance, and service excellence across the organization.
• Collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders to share insights, resolve recurring challenges, and identify opportunities for process optimization, service improvements, and technology innovation.

Training and Change Management

• Maintains comprehensive program documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), knowledge articles, and resource materials to support Absence & Accommodations teams, employees, leaders, and key stakeholders.
• Develops and enhances training materials, job aids, and communication strategies to support new processes, regulatory changes, policy updates, and technology implementations across the organization.

Data Analysis, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

• Develops and maintains reporting and dashboards for U.S. and Canadian Absence & Accommodations functions, using key metrics to assess operational delivery, compliance, vendor performance, and employee experience for internal and external stakeholders.
• Uses quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, develop recommendations, implement operational improvements, and influence enterprise strategy.
• Provides operational insights to leadership by analyzing trends across claims management activities, escalations, transitions, and service delivery performance.
• Performs reporting related to service levels, quality assurance, escalations, and overall operational performance to support continuous improvement.
• Monitors TPA escalations and shares relevant insights with leadership to support vendor performance management.
• Contributes to the development and completion of OFCCP affirmative action reporting requirements, as applicable.
• Serves as a delegate and cross-functional support partner for Absence & Accommodations operations, initiatives, and stakeholder needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field and 8 years’ progressive experience in Human Resources. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 6 years’ experience; a Ph.D. and 3 years’ experience; or 12 years’ related experience.
• 3+ years’ experience in a management or leadership role.
• Proven experience leading leave of absence, accommodations, and/or HR operations programs in a complex organization.
• Advanced knowledge of leave and accommodation laws, including FMLA, ADA, and related regulations.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives.
• Strong background in process improvement, change management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to influence and build partnerships across all organizational levels, including executives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and analytical skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PHR or SPHR certification.
• PMP certification.