Leave & HR Compliance Consultant

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 Leaves & HR Compliance Consultant 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 reasoni