Sr. Leave Specialist

Who We Are

We’re Dealer Tire, a family-owned, international distributor of tires and parts established in 1918 in Cleveland, OH. We’re laser focused on helping the world’s largest and most trusted auto manufacturers grow their tire business—in fact, we’ve sold more than 60 million tires to date. We’re a thriving company, and we’re looking for driven individuals to join our team. That’s where you come in!

Base Pay Range:

As a Sr. Leave Specialist, your essential job functions will include the following:

Operational  

• Management and administration of all leave and accommodation programs.  
• Serve as HR lead in working with managers, associates, and Safety Team to coordinate leaves, return to work and/or fit-for-duty status/activity based on associate’s individual situation.
• Coordinate timely leave processes with proactive communication.
• Collaboratively provide advice, consultation, recommendations and policy interpretation to manager, the business and HR Business Partners on disability management issues, including the Interactive ADA Process, Reasonable Accommodation, Fitness for Duty Examinations, Reassignment and Medical Separations.
• Handle highly confidential and sensitive assignments that involve substantial complexity and require collaboration with vendors, HR managers, HR business partners, legal, managers, and/or healthcare providers.
• Analyze and administer root cause analysis for recurrent or egregious issues and pain points (system abuse, intermittent leaves). Partner with HR Business Partners to address employee issues. Formulate, recommend and influence implementation of process, communications and or programming modifications where such changes may also alleviate the issue.
• Lead/participate in case management review meetings (HR, business leaders and legal).
• Maintain, and engage with all leave management vendors and ensure compliance with policies as related to appropriate federal and state leave regulations.
• Analyze and develop policies and procedures related to leave of absence and accommodation practices.
• Provide support to managers in implementing and monitoring lost time initiatives at the operational level.
• Develop continuous improvement initiatives around leave and worker’s compensation operations and processes, working closely with partners inside and outside of HR to optimize process design and improve associate experience.
• Create and update SOPs.
• Stay current on legislative and legal requirements relating to leaves of absence.

Reporting and Analytics

• Produce monthly and quarterly reports.
• Provide education to Human Resources staff regarding reports as necessary.
• Recommend refinements and/or additional reporting as needed.

People Support

• Provide first level of response to incoming questions from associates and managers and provide guidance and interpretation of policies, ensuring fair and consistent administration of policies and compliance with state and federal employment regulations.

• Lead and participate in a variety of projects to support the People department (e.g. policy updates, HR process improvement, SOP development, etc.).

Other Duties as Assigned

Competencies Required

• Functional Expertise
• Business Acumen
• Critical Thinking
• Creative Thinking
• Results Orientation
• Customer Focus
• Organizational Agility
• Influence
• Trusted Advisor
• Conflict Management

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.  Experience accepted in lieu of degree.
• 7+ years’ experience and expertise in leave administration, workers compensation or absence management in a multi-state environment; both non-exempt and exempt.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written, with all levels in the organization.
• Proven ability to be an independent decision-maker.
• Ability to dispute and resolve complex third-party claims.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws to maintain compliance with regards to the Employee Handbook, and HR company policies.
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Manage complex situations through effective problem solving.
• Effectively manage relationships by earning credibility and trust among peers, employees, and supervisors.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with extreme professionalism and discretion.

Physical Job Requirements

• Continuous viewing from and inputting data to a computer screen.
• Travel as necessary (approximately 10%).

Drug Policy

• Dealer Tire is a drug-free environment.  All applicants being considered for employment must pass a pre-employment drug screening before beginning work.

Why Dealer Tire: An amazing opportunity to join a growing organization, built on the efforts of hard working, innovative, and team-oriented people. The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and geographic location. The total compensation package may also include commission, bonus or profit sharing. We offer a competitive & comprehensive benefit package including: paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and 401k match (50% on the dollar up to 7% of employee contribution). For more information on our benefit offerings, please visit our Dealer Tire Family of Companies Benefits Highlights Booklet.

EOE Statement: Dealer Tire is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act*), or any other legally protected status, with respect to employment opportunities. 

*ADA Disclosure: Any candidate who feels that they may need an accommodation to complete this application, or any portions of same, based on the impact of a disability should contact Dealer Tire’s Human Resources Department to discuss your specific needs. Please feel free to contact us at 1-800-933-2537 x6550.