Senior Manager, Absence and Accommodations

Jobtailor

Illinois

On-site

USD 140,000 - 190,000

Full time

13 days ago

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Job summary

Cox Automotive is seeking a senior leader to steer the strategy, compliance, and delivery of absence and accommodations programs across the enterprise. You will lead a team responsible for end-to-end leave, accommodation, and claims management, and drive scalable processes and automation.

You will partner with Environmental Health & Safety, Legal, HR Compliance, and other stakeholders; oversee M&A related transitions; ensure OFCCP alignment and audit-readiness; and develop dashboards for US and

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or related field plus 8 years of HR experience.
Alternative: master's with 6 years, PhD with 3 years, or 12 years of related experience.
3+ years in a management or leadership role.
Proven experience leading absence and accommodations programs in a complex org.
Advanced knowledge of FMLA, ADA, and related regulations.
Strong project leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

Lead strategy, compliance, and delivery of absence and accommodations programs.
Manage end-to-end leave, accommodation, and claims processes.
Oversee M&A related leaves, data transfers, and eligibility.
Ensure governance, KPI, audit-readiness frameworks.
Partner with HR and legal teams on integrated workflows.
Develop reporting and dashboards for US and Canada absence functions.
Provide escalation support for complex leave and accommodation issues.

Skills

Leave management

Accommodations programs

Process improvement

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business Admin or related field

Master's degree

PhD

12 years related experience

Tools

HR Technology

AI-Enabled Solutions

Intelligent Case Management

Integrated Workflows

Job description

Lead the strategy, compliance, and delivery of Cox Automotive's absence and accommodations programs
Manage a team responsible for end-to-end leave, accommodation, and claims management processes
Lead absence and accommodations activities for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and business transitions
Oversee M&A-related claims transitions and transfer of eligibility and leave-status data
Interpret and operationalize union Collective Bargaining Agreement requirements
Develop compliant operational processes for federal regulations and Workers' Compensation
Partner with Environmental Health & Safety, Workers' Compensation, DOT, Legal, HR Compliance, and other stakeholders
Establish governance, quality, compliance, KPI, service-level, and audit-readiness frameworks
Serve as escalation point and trusted advisor for complex leave and accommodation matters
Oversee FMLA, STD, ADA, LTD, Workers' Compensation, and company leave programs
Design and implement scalable processes, tools, workflow automation, AI-enabled solutions, and intelligent case management
Partner with HR Technology, Benefits, Compensation, Payroll, and Employee Service Center teams on integrated workflows
Maintain SOPs, knowledge articles, documentation, training materials, job aids, and communications
Develop reporting and dashboards for U.S. and Canadian Absence & Accommodations functions
Analyze operational, compliance, vendor, claims, escalation, and service-delivery data to recommend improvements
Monitor third-party administrator escalations and support vendor performance management
Contribute to OFCCP Affi

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field and 8 years' progressive Human Resources experience
Alternative qualifications include 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 FMLA, ADA, and related leave and accommodation 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 handling confidential and sensitive information
PHR or SPHR certification preferred
PMP certification preferred
Must reside within the Eastern or Central time zones of the United States
Must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship
No OPT, CPT, STEM/OPT, or visa sponsorship now or in future
Must clear a pre-employment drug test

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing absence and accommodations programs, ensuring compliance with FMLA, ADA, and related regulations while leading cross-functional teams to improve operational processes. Capable of developing strategic initiatives and governance frameworks that enhance service delivery and stakeholder engagement.

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