Consultant, HR Associate Solutions

If you’re passionate about becoming a Nationwide associate and believe you have the potential to be something great, let’s talk. At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

This role is compensation grade G3. This role can be located in our Columbus/ Des Moines locations or be fully remote if outside of those location. Candidate must possess a solid working knowledge of disability processes and regulatory requirements specific to Short Term Disability, FMLA and the Americans with Disability Act. In addition, the position requires a highly seasoned ability to problem solve, experience in establishing effective relationships with various stakeholders, knowledge of the vendor relationship, and a subject matter expert in consulting background. Attention to detail is critical for this role

Job Description Summary

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your work directly impacts the satisfaction and engagement of associates? We work collaboratively, across organizational lines, with all levels of associates and leaders. If you are a natural problem-solver, have excellent customer service skills and can own and assist in the resolution of Leave Management related issues, we want to know more about you!

As a Leave Management Consultant, you'll provide information and guidance to Nationwide associates, leaders, Human Resources (HR) and other internal and external partners about Leave Management (LM) administration. You’ll assist in navigating the process in addition to maintaining compliance with laws and regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures. We'll count on you, to conduct extensive case assessments and to provide direction to associates and management across the enterprise.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as an expert contact and provides extraordinary care for associates and leaders on leave management (LM) cases, programs, procedures, guidelines, and processes.

• Reviews, assesses needs and manages LM cases from initiation to closure, addressing questions and concerns from leaders and associates. Works with all parties involved to resolve any issues.

• Collaborates with multiple internal and external resources to review and obtain necessary information in managing cases and creating an exceptional experience for associates and leaders. Maintains accurate and timely documentation on all interactions related to managing a case to minimize risk. Follows up with associates and leaders to ensure risk exposure is minimized while optimizing care.

• Partners with internal general counsel on complex cases as needed to minimize risk and exposure to the organization.

• Provides expert consultative services and advises associates, management, HR and other internal and external parties on a variety of Leave Management topics, including but is not limited to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Nationwide’s Short and Long-Term Disability benefit plans, policy and procedure interpretations, extended leaves and compliance.

• Works collaboratively with the Leave Management manager to develop and deliver training and education to associates, leaders, HR and other partners as needed.  Identifies and recommends changes on programs, policy and procedures related to Leave Management.

• Keeps up to date on legislation or regulatory programs (ie federal, state and local state leave laws and procedures) to ensure company compliance. Communicates any changes as needed to leaders, business units and/or HR or other internal or external partners.

• Reviews and approves or denies re-staffing requests in accordance with Company policy, state and federal laws.  Works with the leaders and HR partners to provide direction and develops relative documentation for impacted associates.

• Partners with investigative team members and security needed on case information and needs.

• Interacts with associates at all levels. Handles all matters with discretion and maintains confidentiality of all information.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Manager, Leave Management.  This is an individual contributor role that may have opportunity to serve in a project lead capacity.  

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Undergraduate studies in human resources, law, nursing, business administration or related field strongly preferred. Graduate-level studies preferred. 

License/Certification/Designation: RN, CCM, CM, PHR, or SPHR preferred.

Experience: Typically, eight or more years related e