Overview

Job DescriptionPay Range: $78,000 - $96,000 depending on relevant experience and qualificationsMITER Brands is a residential window and door manufacturer that provides a leading portfolio of window and door brands for the new construction and replacement segments. MITER Brands, also known as Milgard, MI Windows & Doors and PGTI is one of the nation's largest suppliers of vinyl windows and patio doors, with plants across the country. The Leave Specialist Manager is a critical leadership position responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of the organization's Leave of Absence (LOA) and disability programs. This role is fundamental to the company's success, as it balances rigorous legal compliance with a commitment to employee well-being. By ensuring the organization adheres to the complex, ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local labor laws, this position mitigates significant legal and financial risks.Beyond compliance, the Leave Specialist Manager plays a vital role in talent retention. By leading a team that provides seamless, compassionate support during an employee's most challenging life events (such as illness, family growth, or caregiving), this role directly impacts the employee experience and reinforces our culture of care. Ultimately, the Leave Specialist Manager ensures that our workforce remains supported and resilient, while maintaining the operational continuity of the business through effective return-to-work strategies.Responsibilities Team Leadership & DevelopmentDirect Supervision: Manage the daily workflows of the Leave Specialist team, ensuring equitable caseload distribution and high-quality employee supportCoaching & Quality Assurance: Conduct regular audits of leave files and communications to ensure accuracy, empathy, and adherence to departmental service level agreements (SLAs)Professional Growth: Identify training gaps and lead educational sessions on new legislation or software updates to keep the team at the forefront of the industryProgram & Compliance ManagementRegulatory Adherence: Serve as the final authority on the application of federal and state laws (FMLA, ADA, PWFA, etc.) and company policiesADA Interactive Process: Lead complex "interactive process" dialogues for accommodation requests, ensuring that both employee needs and business operational requirements are balanced fairlyRisk Mitigation: Partner with Legal and Risk Management to conduct periodic internal audits and ensure all documentation meets strict HIPAA and litigation-readiness standardsStrategic Stakeholder PartnershipCross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with Payroll to ensure accurate benefit pay (STD/LTD) and with HR Business Partners to strategize departmental coverage during long-term absencesReturn-to-Work (RTW) Strategy: Design and oversee "Stay-at-Work" and "Return-to-Work" programs, facilitating temporary light-duty or phased-in schedules to support employee reintegrationManagement Education: Develop and deliver training for front-line managers to recognize "leave triggers" and avoid common compliance pitfalls during employee absencesVendor & Systems OversightTPA Performance: Manage relationships with Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) and disability carriers, holding them accountable through regular performance reviews and data reconciliationHRIS Optimization: Lead the configuration and maintenance of leave-tracking modules within Workday or ServiceNow to automate notifications and streamline employee self-serviceData Analytics & ReportingKPI Tracking: Monitor critical metrics such as absenteeism rates, leave utilization trends, and the average duration of absences to identify underlying burnout or cultural issuesExecutive Insights: Translate raw data into actionable dashboards and quarterly reports for senior leadership, highlighting the financial impact of leaves on the bottom lineundefinedQualificationsBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field pref