Employee Accommodations Manager

Title: Employee Accommodations Manager

Executive Area: Human Resources

College/School/MBU: Human Resources

Department: Human Resources

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: FullTime

Work Arrangement:Remote

Job Summary

The Employee Accommodations Manager is a leadership-level professional responsible for overseeing and supervising a team of Case Managers while also providing expert oversight of workplace accommodation cases. Reporting to the Director for Employee Accommodations and Absence Support, this role provides primary oversight and accountability for the consistent, compliant, and high-quality administration of ADA and accommodations in accordance with university policies and applicable laws, while partnering closely with the Absence Management team to ensure alignment and coordination with FMLA, PFML, Workers' Compensation, and related leave programs.

This role partners closely with the Absence Support Manager to ensure alignment and coordination between leave administration and workplace accommodations, particularly in cases involving overlapping medical, disability, and return-to-work considerations.

Essential Functions

Supervision and Team Leadership

Provides direct supervision to a team of Case Managers, including work assignment, prioritization, coaching, training, and performance feedback.

Oversees daily operations of the case management function, with primary focus on ADA and accommodations, to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent case handling.

Serves as the primary escalation point for complex, high-risk, or sensitive ADA and accommodations-related cases requiring advanced judgment or interpretation of policy and law.

Supports onboarding and ongoing professional development of team members, fostering subject matter expertise in ADA compliance and consistent application of best practices.

Monitors team performance metrics, workload distribution, and service levels; identifies staffing or process needs and recommends improvements.

Employee Accommodations Program Management and Subject Matter Expertise

Provides expert oversight and guidance on complex ADA and accommodations as the University's Employee Accommodations Manager, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and institutional policies.

Leads the ADA and accommodations interactive process for escalated and high-impact cases, partnering with employees, medical providers, supervisors, and HR Business partners to determine reasonable accommodations.

Establishes standards and ensures consistency in the interpretation and application of ADA and other accommodations policies, procedures, and documentation practices.

Partners closely with the Absence Management team to align ADA and accommodations with FMLA, PFML, Workers' Compensation, and related leave programs.

Collaborates on return-to-work coordination with Risk Management, supervisors, health professionals, and the Absence Management team to support compliant and effective reintegration.

Consultation, Training, and Collaboration

Serves as a trusted advisor to HR Business partners, supervisors, and department leaders on ADA and accommodations, disability compliance, and related workplace considerations.

Provides consultation in coordination with the Absence Management team on cases involving overlapping accommodation and leave issues.

Develops and delivers training, guidance, and resources to managers and HR colleagues related to ADA compliance and the intersection of accommodations and leave programs.

Collaborates with legal counsel, risk management, labor relations, and Absence Management on complex cases, grievances, or disputes.

Program Oversight, Reporting, and Process Improvement

Oversees case tracking, quality assurance, and documentation standards within HRIS and case management systems.

Produces and reviews reports and analytics related to accommodations, compliance, and team performance; partners with the Absence Management team on integrated reporting where appropriate.

Uses data insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for operational improvements in administration and cross-functional processes.

Reviews, develops, and implements policies, procedures, and employee communications to enhance clarity, consistency, and compliance.

Leads or contributes to cross-functional initiatives to improve systems, workflows, and employee experience, ensuring strong alignment between accommodation and absence management practices.

Professional Standards

Maintains confidentiality, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity when handling sensitive employee information.

Monitors changes in federal, state, and local regulations impacting ADA and disability compliance, and ensures alignment of practices; coordinates with the Absence Management team on regulatory changes affecting leave programs.

Other Functions

Participates in professional development activities and networks to maintain expertise in ADA compliance and its intersection with absence management.

Engages with and contributes to advisory councils, committees, and employee affinity groups to support inclusive practices and enhance awareness of disability and accommodation needs across the University community.

Supports audits, internal reviews, and compliance assessments related to ADA and other accommodations and collaborates on reviews involving leave programs.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree with five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, disability management, benefits administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Demonstrated experience applying ADA, FMLA, PFML, Workers' Compensation, and related laws in a complex organizational environment, with strong emphasis on ADA compliance and accommodations.

Supervisory or team lead experience, including coaching, mentoring, or overseeing the work of other professionals.

Proven ability to manage or oversee complex, sensitive ADA and accommodations cases involving legal and medical considerations.

Strong leadership, consultation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups.

Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of clear, compliant correspondence and guidance materials.

Proficiency with HRIS and case management systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in a unionized, higher education, or public-sector environment.

ADA Coordinator Training Certification (ACTCP) or similar professional credential.

Experience conducting workplace assessments, ergonomics evaluations, and developing reasonable accommodations.

Demonstrated experience leading process improvement initiatives or operational enhancements within HR or absence management functions.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 5:00pm.

This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where the employee's work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. As this position is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional/or Classified) Employee Personnel Policy.

Salary Information

Pay Grade:PSSAP Grade 29

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Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.