Leave of Absence Consultant

Insurance is a trillion dollar market that is fundamental to society, yet it has not modernized — until now. 

Newfront is building the modern insurance experience. 

We've reimagined the experience for clients, prospects, and employees, altering the way people create, understand, select, transact, and use insurance. We're changing the approach so that it starts and ends with the client, not the product, and empowering people for moments that matter. 

Our unique approach recognizes both the vast potential of technology and the fundamental role of insurance experts. We're a technology-driven company with DE&I in our DNA and strong values; we believe people matter most. 

Our mission is to define the future of the insurance industry, while instilling a high performance culture in combination with living our Work, Love, Play ethos each day. We value balanced lives and are passionate about creating a culture of wellness that results in healthier, happier, and more productive employees, and more successful clients.

Newfront HR Services is a team of diverse HR professionals, who like to work hard and have fun while doing it. On our team, staff are exposed to a broader cross section of HR experiences and complexities than possible in an internal HR role. Our clients represent over 20 different industries in multiple states. We are excited each day by the diversity of challenges and in helping clients to build great places to work.

The Leave of Absence Consultant will support our leave administration services offering. The Leave of Absence Consultant manages a broad range of leave of absence administration for clients and supports and drives a variety of compliance related project work.

This position is responsible for serving as the primary contact to support multi-state clients. This position is a subject matter expert regarding all types of employee leaves of absence, including Short Term Disability, FMLA, Long Term Disability, unpaid or paid leaves, etc. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a high level of professionalism; possess the ability to work well in a fast-paced environment and the flexibility to easily adapt to changing priorities.

This position is a salaried, exempt and full-time role reporting to the Executive HR Consultant. Requires seasonal or intermittent traveling to visit clients and prospects. This is a US-hybrid role with the option to work on a hybrid basis from any of Newfront's offices or hubs in Southern California or Texas.

What You'll Be Responsible For:

• Provide dedicated support to assigned accounts and act as a Consultant, administrator, and main point of contact, partnering with clients engaged in Newfront’s Leave of Absence Administration, Outsourcing, and Advisory Services.

• Ensure superior client engagement and satisfaction through proactive communication and high touch service.

• Provide expertise in all leave and time off benefit programs under federal, state, and local regulations.

• Provide direct support to client employees related to requests for leaves of absence, explain and support processes for requesting family and medical leave of absences, including documentation required and approval period, and for the timely and comprehensive facilitation of the interactive process related to requests for reasonable accommodations.

• Manage standard and complex leave cases, focusing on compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. May also oversee Canada time off policies and leave cases.

• Manage salary continuance, short- and long-term disability plans, ADA accommodations, and employer-sponsored leave programs.

• Advise client on leave and time off policy development, implementation and monitoring.

• Create and maintain accurate records and documentation in case management system with strong attention to detail.

• Navigates complex HR data, laws, and policies in a fast-paced environment, while effectively de-escalating high-pressure or emotionally sensitive situations.

• Prioritizes workload to ensure legal compliance and responsive customer service while maintaining highest levels of confidentiality and discretion.

• Provide expert guidance on leaves and accommodations, mentoring peers, and other HR team members to enhance team knowledge and alignment on best practices.

• Develop, interpret, and effectively communicate client policies and procedures.

• Stay abreast of all legislative issues/updates that affect absence and disability benefit programs.

• Stay abreast of all client vendor/carrier new product offerings.

• Manage all client required services through frequent client interaction and maintain client relationships.

• Deliver clear and autonomous communications to clients and their teams.

• Contribute to special projects and perform other related tasks as assigned to support overall business objectives.

Qualifications

• 5 years of related leave of absence work experience gained as an internal leave of absence manager or in a consulting, brokerage, or carrier environment is required.

• Knowledge of FMLA, state leave regulations and requirements, paid and unpaid leave laws is required.

• Prior HR consulting experience is preferred

• Knowledge of Canada federal and provincial/territory laws a plus.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven experience in leave and absence management, preferable in a multi-state and complex client environment.

• In-depth knowledge of federal, state and local employment laws and regulations.

• Experience in managing multi-state leave of absence cases.

• Knowledge of multi-state programs such as disability insurance, paid family leave, and/or paid family and medical leave.

• Experience in facilitating the interactive process to determine and manage reasonable accommodations.

• Act as external leave of absence manager for a set of clients and primary point person for client relationships; responsible for client engagement and satisfaction.

• Process standard and complex end-to-end leave of absence cases for multi-state high-touch clients, focused on the compliance with and interaction with federal, state, and local leave laws, salary continuance, short- and/or long-term disability plans, ADA, and employer-sponsored leave programs.

• Develop, interpret, and communicate client policies and procedures effectively, and in compliance with federal, state and local laws.

• Ability to manage, develop and deliver communications to clients and their managers and employees autonomously.

• Act as a resource and advisor to clients and their employees on leave of absence requirements and responsibilities to ensure compliance at all levels.

• Responsible for accurate and timely response to client and employee inquiries.

• Responsible for maintaining current knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local leave laws and accommodation laws including the ADA.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly to clients and employees at all levels.

• Exceptional telephone/video etiquette for customer service environment, professionalism, and tact.

• Proficient knowledge and use of Microsoft Office and intermediate complexities of features.

• Proficient knowledge and ability to learn and implement Newfront Client technology systems.

• Knowledge of AbsenceSoft leave and accommodations management platform preferred

• Knowledge of HRIS systems such as ADP, BambooHR, Paycom, Paylocity, Rippling, UKG preferred

• Ability to be resourceful, take initiative, solve problems and offer solutions.

• Works well with others in a fast-paced environment and be responsive to co-workers and colleagues. Ability to train and give feedback.

• Adaptability and flexibility to respond to client and team needs.

• Excellent time management skills and ability to manage competing priorities and high volumes.

• Ability to learn and adopt use of technology systems and software applications.

• Ability to multi-task, understand urgency and deal with changing priorities and deadlines.

• Ability to review client deliverables to ensure accuracy.

• Ability to forge relationships and build trust with clients, team and carriers.

Required Certificates, Licenses, or Registration:

• PHR, PHRca, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or CLMS certification (required to have or obtain within 1 year of date of hire)

The pay range for this position in California, Washington, Colorado and New York at the commencement of employment is expected to be between $80,600 to $126,000/yr; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, the employee will be in an “at-will position,” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

At Newfront, we are committed to hiring diverse talent and supporting an inclusive workplace environment. If you are excited about a role at Newfront but feel you’re missing a few of the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply and tell us about yourself. You may just be the next Newfront team member that we are looking for! 

Newfront is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Diversity is in our DNA and we believe that creating an inclusive workplace elevates the value we are able to bring to our customers and employees alike. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.

If you require reasonable accommodations throughout the application or interview process, please contact us at careers@newfront.com. For information regarding how Newfront collects and uses personal information, please review our Privacy Policy.