Sr Leave & Accommodation Specialist

sanmanuel; Highland (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

San Manuel is seeking a Sr Leave & Accommodation Specialist to manage complex leave and accommodation cases from intake to resolution. You will serve as a subject matter expert in ADA/ADAAA, leave regulations, and compliance, driving timely, employee‑focused outcomes while collaborating with Legal, Risk, HR, and Leaders.

The role requires managing high‑risk cases, mentoring others, and improving processes, while ensuring accurate documentation in Workday and related systems.

Qualifications

• Proven experience independently resolving high‑risk and escalated cases.
• Deep regulatory expertise in ADA/ADAAA, FMLA, CFRA, FEHA, and state/local laws.
• Ability to interpret evolving requirements and apply them to active cases.
• Experience collaborating with Legal, Risk and Compliance teams.

Responsibilities

• Manages a full caseload of complex leave and accommodation cases from intake through resolution.
• Leads interactive process by evaluating medical information and implementing accommodations.
• Maintains compliant case timelines, documentation, and regulatory adherence.
• Serves as SME in leave/accommodation laws across federal, state, and local levels.
• Partners with Legal, HR, Benefits and ops to balance compliance with business needs.
• Coaches and mentors junior team members; provides practical training.
• Conducts case reviews to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.

Skills

High-risk case management

Regulatory expertise (ADA/ADAAA)

Legal/Risk/Compliance collaboration

Interactive process mastery

Return-to-work planning

Case documentation accuracy

Mentoring junior staff

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Healthcare or related

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Workday

Leave Case Mgmt.

Job description

Under the direction of the Manager, Leave & Disability the Sr Leave & Accommodation Specialist serves as a highly hands-on subject matter expert responsible for the end-to-end execution of complex leave and workplace accommodation cases. This role combines deep technical expertise in ADA/ADAAA, disability, and leave regulations with direct case management ownership, ensuring compliant, timely, and employee-centered outcomes. Independently drives the interactive process from intake through resolution, partnering directly with team members, healthcare providers, leaders, HR, and Legal. This role is expected to personally manage high-risk, sensitive, and escalated cases, applying sound judgment, regulatory expertise, and practical solutions to enable safe, sustainable return-to-work outcomes. In addition to execution, provides expert guidance, process improvement insight, and mentoring, while remaining actively engaged in daily operations and casework.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manages a full caseload of complex leave and accommodation cases from intake through resolution, including documentation, determinations, and implementation. Leads the interactive process by evaluating medical information, identifying reasonable accommodations, and partnering with enterprise leaders to implement effective solutions, including for high-risk or legally sensitive cases in collaboration with Legal, Risk, and Compliance. Ensures timely, compliant execution by maintaining ongoing communication, overseeing case timelines and documentation, and driving adherence to all regulatory and internal requirements.
2. Serves as a subject matter expert in leave and accommodation laws, ensuring all cases are managed in full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Interprets and applies evolving legal requirements in real time to active cases, making sound, compliant decisions. Collaborates with Legal on complex matters while retaining hands‑on responsibility for execution and implementation.
3. Ensures accurate, real‑time case documentation and tracking in Workday and related systems while maintaining data integrity and confidentiality. Actively manages open cases to drive timely resolution, removing barriers and escalating issues as appropriate. Identifies process improvement opportunities and coordinates seamless return-to-work logistics, including system access, workplace readiness, and stakeholder alignment.
4. Serves as the primary point of contact for team members and cross‑functional partners, ensuring clear and consistent communication throughout each case. Translates complex regulatory requirements into practical, actionable guidance for leaders and employees. Collaborates with HR, Legal, Benefits, and operational teams to balance compliance, business needs, and team member support.
5. Provides hands‑on coaching and case consultation to junior team members, reinforcing strong execution of the interactive process and documentation standards. Delivers practical, scenario‑based training to managers and HR on accommodation and leave policies. Leads by example as an actively engaged, working expert in day-to‑day operations.
6. Conducts case reviews and analyzes trends to identify risks, patterns, and opportunities for improvement. Delivers data‑driven insights and recommendations to strengthen programs and support informed decision‑making. Supports internal audits to ensure documentation and practices meet regulatory and compliance standards.
7. Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Healthcare, or related field required.

Master's Degree preferred.

Minimum seven (7) years of directly managing complex leave and accommodation cases, with demonstrated hands‑on expertise in the interactive process and regulatory application required.

Related, relevant, and/or direct experience may be considered in lieu of minimum educational requirements indicated above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

1. Proven experience independently resolving high-risk and escalated cases.
2. Strong experience collaborating with Legal, Risk, and Compliance in real-time case handling.
3. Experience in high-volume, regulated environments (e.g., healthcare, gaming) strongly preferred.
4. Deep expertise in ADA/ADAAA, FMLA, CFRA, FEHA, workers' compensation, and applicable state/local laws.
5. Strong knowledge of the interactive process, reasonable accommodations, disability management, and return-to-work strategies.
6. Understanding of compliance requirements, audit readiness, risk mitigation, and case law application.
7. Proficiency in HRIS systems (e.g., Workday, Leave Case Mgmt.) and maintaining accurate, audit-ready documentation.
8. Advanced case management skills, with ability to independently manage complex, high-volume caseloads.
9. Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills to asse