Leave Manager

Minneapolis, Minnesota
avenica

Leave Manager (Full Cycle)

Location: Bloomington, Minnesota (Onsite)

Reports to: Director of Human Resources Department: Human Resources Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Compensation: $65,000-85,000 (annual bonus opportunity)

Walser Automotive Group is driven by our passion for cars and people. For over 70 years, we’ve led automotive retailing with a transparent buying approach. Today, we support our team with family-focused benefits, career paths, and a commitment to diversity. Family-run and family-owned, we thrive on our inclusive and dynamic culture. That’s the Walser Way.

Walser’s Core Values

• Do The Right Thing – Nothing is worth compromising a relationship
• Lead By Example – Be willing to help no matter how difficult the challenge
• Display Positive Energy – A good attitude is highly contagious

Be Open Minded – The only thing that is constant is change

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly organized, compliance-focused Leave Manager to lead the full-cycle administration of employee leave of absence programs for our automotive company spanning 7 states. This onsite role based in Minnesota requires deep expertise in federal and state leave laws, especially the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, and a proven track record of policy creation, compliance tracking, and employee support.

This position is critical to ensuring legal compliance, operational efficiency, and a positive employee experience. The Leave Manager will work collaboratively across departments-including Workers’ Compensation, Payroll, and Employee Relations-and serve as the subject matter expert for leave administration, policy, and employee advocacy.

Key Responsibilities

PFML Leadership & Compliance

• Lead the planning, policy development, and implementation of Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements.
• Proactively track and respond to changes in PFML guidance and coordinate internal education and policy updates.
• Align PFML policy with company leave programs to ensure consistency, equity, and clarity.

Leave Program Management

• Administer and manage all company leave programs, including FMLA, PFML, ADA, military leave, personal leave, STD, LTD, and state-specific leave policies.
• Ensure seamless integration of leave processes with Payroll, Benefits, and Workers’ Compensation, coordinating wage replacement and benefits continuation.
• Partner with Employee Relations to support investigations or performance issues impacted by leave.

Policy Creation & Process Improvement

• Develop and update comprehensive, compliant leave policies across all applicable jurisdictions, including clear SOPs for internal teams.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance employee experience, efficiency, and regulatory adherence.
• Serve as an internal consultant for policy interpretation and escalation of complex leave cases.

Employee Advocacy & Communication

• Act as a trusted advisor to employees, providing compassionate guidance and clear communication throughout the leave lifecycle.
• Educate employees and managers on eligibility, responsibilities, and procedures related to all leave types.
• Coach and support managers on leave-related performance, accommodation, and return-to-work scenarios. Union experience is a pus but not required.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws including FMLA, ADA, USERRA, and state-specific laws across a 7-state footprint.
• Maintain thorough documentation and accurate tracking of leave cases using the company’s HRIS, or internal tracking tools.
• Conduct audits, analyze trends, and provide regular reporting to HR leadership on leave metrics and risks.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Interface regularly with:

• Workers’ Compensation team to coordinate overlapping claims and return-to-work processes.
• Payroll to manage pay impacts, wage continuation, and correct pay coding during leaves.
• Employee Relations to support employee concerns, performance issues, and workplace accommodations tied to leave.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field experience
• 5+ years of experience managing multi-state leave programs, including FMLA and ADA administration.
• Proven experience creating and implementing leave policies, especially in anticipation of PFML in Minnesota.
• Strong understanding of federal and Minnesota-specific leave laws; knowledge of additional states is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across HR functions including Payroll, Workers’ Comp, and Employee Relations.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail, time management, and confidentiality.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; capable of balancing compliance with care and empathy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using ADP HRIS systems for leave tracking and reporting.
• Certification: PHR, SHRM-CP, or Certified Leave Management Specialist (CLMS).
• Experience in a multi-site, customer-facing industry such as automotive, retail, or healthcare.
• Familiarity with leave administration in other key states (e.g., CO, IL, WI, TX, GA, NM)