Specialist - Leave of Absence

ViziRecruiter,LLC.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading HR solutions company is seeking a Leave of Absence Specialist to manage leave programs and ensure compliance with applicable laws. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, at least 2 years of relevant experience, and strong communication skills. This position offers a hybrid work schedule, combining in-person and remote work in Chicago, IL.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in leave of absence administration or HR.
• HR or leave-related certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR).
• Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, and other leave-related laws.

Responsibilities

• Support various types of leaves and ensure compliance with laws.
• Coordinate with third-party administrators and maintain accurate records.
• Provide training and resources on leave-related topics.

Skills

Strong customer service skills

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Strong attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

HRIS

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)

Job description

Introduction

Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of global food retailer Ahold Delhaize, is part of the U.S. family of brands, which also includes five leading omnichannel grocery brands – Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. Ahold Delhaize USA associates support the brands with a wide range of services, including Finance, Legal, Sustainability, Commercial, Digital and E-commerce, Technology and more.

Overview

The Leave of Absence Specialist is responsible for supporting the administration and management of the company's leave of absence programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as company policies. This role provides guidance to Brand managers, and HR business partners/leads regarding leave entitlements, processes, and return-to-work procedures.

Our flexible/hybrid work schedule includes 3 in-person days at one of our core locations and 2 remote days. Our core office locations include Salisbury, NC, Chicago, IL, Quincy, MA, Carlisle, PA, Scarborough, ME, Hyattsville, MD and Mauldin, SC.

Responsibilities

• Support, with third party, the various types of leaves, including FMLA, ADA, short-term disability (STD), long-term disability (LTD), workers' compensation, military leave, personal leave, and company-specific leaves.
• Ensure timely and accurate vendor communication and compliance with legal requirements and brand policies.
• Coordinate with third-party leave administrators, insurance providers, and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate processing.
• Administer salary STD payments, Paid Parental Leave payments
• Monitor Leave balances, eligibility, and required documentation.
• Support vendor compliance with FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, USERRA, state-specific leave laws, and company policies.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation to meet legal and audit requirements.
• Stay updated on changes in leave laws and communicate updates to the brand HR teams and management.
• Collaborate and partner with brand managers and HR Leads regarding associate issues with leave processes, eligibility, and documentation and communications.
• Provide guidance on return-to-work programs, (may include accommodations under ADA).
• Work closely with HR, payroll, and benefits teams to address associate concerns related to leave and pay.
• Maintain accurate leave records within HRIS.
• Generate reports on leave trends, compliance risks, and workforce impact from third party system.
• Assist with audits and internal reporting as needed.
• Partner with HR, payroll, and benefits teams to streamline leave administration processes.
• Identify areas for improvement and recommend policy or process changes.
• Provide training and resources for managers and associates on leave-related topics.
• Additional job duties may be assigned as needed to meet the needs of the business and support our Values.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field or equivalent work experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in leave of absence administration, HR, or benefits administration.
• Experience working with large-scale organizations, preferably in retail or similar industries.
• HR or leave-related certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR, CPDM, CLMS).
• Experience with third-party leave administration platforms.
• Knowledge of union contracts and collective bargaining agreements related to leaves.
• Strong knowledge of FMLA, ADA, and other leave-related laws.
• Proficiency in HRIS, leave management systems, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Strong customer service skills.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to tolerate and cope with non-routine situations.
• Creative, self-directed and able to work well in a team environment.
• Basic understanding of regulatory requirements and workplace safety principles.
• Solid understanding of STD, LTD and other benefit plans.