Come join one of America's fastest-growing insurance companies. Since 1848, National Life Group has aimed to keep our promises, providing families with stability in good times and in bad. Throughout that history, we have provided peace of mind to those families as they plan their futures.
Our mission extends beyond the insurance and annuities policies that we offer. We strive to make the world a better place through our grants from our charitable foundation, paid volunteer time for our employees, environmentally sustainable and healthy workplaces, and events that promote the work of nonprofits in our own backyard.
We foster a collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and encourage our associates to live our values: Do good. Be good. Make good.
Role Summary
Please note that we do not offer visa sponsorship for this position.
The Manager, Leaves & HR Compliance owns the enterprise leave of absence, workplace accommodation, and HR compliance programs, establishing operational standards, governance, and continuous improvement initiatives that support business objectives at National Life.
This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment and benefits laws, while delivering a consistent, compliant, and compassionate associate experience. The role also provides oversight of HR policy governance and regulatory readiness.
Reporting to the Head of Benefits, this position partners closely with HR, payroll, legal, and business leaders to align leave and accommodation practices with National Life's values, operational goals, and employee experience priorities. In addition, this role provides broader HR compliance oversight to support adherence to employment laws/regulations, internal policies, and audit readiness.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leave & Accommodation Programs
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of leave of absence and accommodation programs, including FMLA, ADA, PWFA, USERRA, state leave programs, parental leave, and company-sponsored leaves
- Establish and maintain scalable processes that balance compliance, efficiency, and employee experience
- Oversee the end-to-end administration of leave and accommodation cases, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistency
- Guide complex and escalated cases, including ADA accommodations and intermittent leave scenarios, serving as escalation point
- Monitor regulatory changes and proactively update policies, procedures, and practices
- Define service level expectations and operational metrics.
- Monitor operational performance and implement process improvements.
HR Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all applicable employment regulations and internal policies
- Monitor regulatory changes and proactively recommend updates to policies, practices, and procedures
- Partner with legal and HR leadership to interpret laws and implement compliant, practical solutions
Payroll & Benefits Coordination
- Partner with Payroll to ensure accurate pay, deductions, and benefit continuation during leave events
- Validate payroll impacts related to benefits, leave, and accommodations
- Collaborate with Benefits and vendors to ensure seamless administration and communication
Benefits Compliance & Regulatory Support
- Support compliance activities related to health and welfare benefit plans in partnership with Benefits, legal, and external vendors
- Coordinate and support preparation and timely filing of Form 5500 and associated schedules for applicable benefit plans
- Support nondiscrimination testing (e.g., Section 125, 105(h), 410(b), 410(k)(3), 401(m)(2), 416, and other applicable testing) to ensure plan compliance and equity
- Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable benefits regulations
- Support delivery of required associate notices and audit documentation
Policy Governance & Handbook Management
- Maintenance and governance of HR policies and procedures, including the Associate Handbook
- Ensure policies are updated in response to regulatory changes and aligned with company practices
- Manage communication of policy updates in partnership with Communications
Data, Reporting & Insights
- Establish key performance indicators for leave administration and compliance.
- Analyze trends and implement operational improvements based on data.
- Develop and maintain reporting on compliance activities
- Partner with HR analytics teams to align reporting with broader workforce insights
Leadership & Development
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-centric service
- Set performance standards and ensure delivery of high-quality, timely outcomes
- Support HR Business Partners and business leaders on compliance, policy, and associate-related matters
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Partner with HR Business Partners, managers, and associates to provide guidance on leave, accommodations, and compliance processes
- Collaborate with legal, compensation, talent, IT, and external vendors to ensure aligned solutions
- Serve as a trusted advisor on complex associate leave/accommodation situations
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 8-10 years of experience in leave of absence, accommodations, HR compliance, and/or benefits administration
- Experience leading compliance programs required
- Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and state/local leave laws
- Understanding of employment law and HR compliance requirements across multiple states
- Working knowledge of benefits compliance (ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA)
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion
- Project management and process improvement capabilities
- Proficiency with HRIS systems, leave management platforms, and Microsoft Office tools
Preferred Qualifications
- PHR/SPHR or similar certification preferred, such as CEBS, CBP, or CLMS
- Deep knowledge of FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and state/local leave laws
- Experience in insurance or financial services industry
- Strong understanding of employment law and HR compliance requirements across multiple states
- Strong project management and process improvement capabilities
AI Proficiency Expectations
At National Life Group, we view AI as an enabler of human potential. We use AI to help us work smarter, serve more clients, and keep our promises, while remaining a relationship-driven business where our people are our greatest strength.
All applicants are expected to:
- Leverage approved AI tools, where appropriate, to improve the efficiency, quality, and impact of their work.
- Stay curious and open to new AI-enabled ways of working.
- Exercise sound judgment by reviewing and validating AI-generated content.
- Maintain accountability for the accuracy, quality, fairness, and integrity of work products by adhering to National Life's AI guiding principles.
Use AI responsibly and in accordance with company policies related to confidentiality, data privacy, security, compliance, retention, and intellectual property.
Core Competencies
- Cultivates Innovation – Fosters innovation by taking calculated risks and working cooperatively with others to produce innovative solutions.
- Ensures Accountability – Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments and performance goals.
- Directs Work – Provides direction, delegates when appropriate, and removes obstacles to achieve results.
- Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence – Recognizes, understands, and manages emotions and their impact on others.
- Exhibits Critical and Creative Thinking – Applies logic and reasoning to make sound decisions while developing innovative solutions to solve complex problems.
- Leads Change – Facilitates change and transition at the individual and team level and aligns compensation initiatives with organizational evolution.
- Inspires Others – Motivates and influences others by creating an environment where teams can do their best work and partnering across the organization to achieve results.
Benefits
- Your benefits start day one and are flexible and customizable to your and your family's specific needs. Check out the BENEFITS of a Career at National Life!
National Life Group® is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, VT – founded in 1848, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, TX – chartered in 1955, and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York. Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser affiliate of National Life Insurance Company. All other entities are independent of the companies of National Life Group.
Fortune 1000 status is based on the consolidated financial results of all National Life Group companies.
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National Life Group
1 National Life Dr
Montpelier, VT 05604
