Description The Leave of Absence Manager is responsible for overseeing the company’s leave programs, which include but are not limited to FMLA, ADA, short-term and long-term disability, various state leaves including company and state paid leave programs. As the primary liaison between the company and our external leave vendor, the Leave of Absence Manager will ensure that employees receive comprehensive support throughout the leave process. This leadership role requires a deep understanding of leave management best practices and will be tasked with continuously refining our leave policies to ensure compliance and alignment with organizational goals. Vendor and Program Management Oversee the company's leave management programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws; Collaborate with legal and human resources to refine and implement leave policies that align with legal requirements and industry best practices Stay current on industry trends and best practices in leave management, applying insights to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of company leave programs Manage relationships with external leave administration vendors to ensure adherence to service-level agreements (SLAs), regularly evaluating vendor performance through audits and assessments for compliance with relevant policies and regulations; Identify gaps and facilitate bidding processes with external support if a vendor change is necessary Compliance and Risk Mitigation Ensure full compliance with all applicable federal and state leave policies, including FMLA, ADA, and state specific regulations, by conducting regular audits of leave processes and vendor practices to minimize risk Provide proactive guidance to internal stakeholders on risk mitigation strategies and leave-related compliance issues Employee Experience and Support Serve as the escalation point for complex or sensitive leave cases, offering guidance and resolution for both employees and internal teams Facilitate effective communication between employees, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure a positive employee experience throughout the leave process, while developing and implementing communication strategies and tools to keep employees and managers well-informed of leave policies and procedures Strategic Leadership Provide leadership and mentorship to team members to promote professional development and deepen their understanding of leave management best practices Regularly report on leave trends, program performance, and process improvement opportunities to leadership while driving results that increase employee health and productivity, including metrics related to return-to-work rates, reduced durations and incidences, and improved satisfaction with internal plans and processes Skills leave management, Fmla, Human resources, Employee relations, Human resource management, Hr management, Employee benefits, Hris Top Skills Details leave management,Fmla Additional Skills & Qualifications Must have at least a HS diploma but 2 year or BA degree is a plus 3-5 years of leave management experience (LOA/benefits) - needs at least one title to be leave specific but OK with someone coming from a general HR title with experience in leaves 2 + years of manager / supervisor experience General HR Experience In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local leave laws, including Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and their related frameworks Proficiency with human resources information systems (HRIS - does not matter which one), leave management platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and ensure compliance with contractual obligations Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, generate reports, and provide strategic insights Strong Excel - vlookup/pivot tables Experience Level Intermediate Level Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Irvine, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $50.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Irvine,CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jan 6, 2026. About Aston Carter: Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.