Walser Automotive Group - Leave Manager chez Walser Automotive Group

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.

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 plus 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)