Thomas & Company

Compensation

Full Description

Who We Are: As the largest privately held service provider in our industry, Thomas & Company stands at the forefront of delivering innovative and comprehensive solutions that help businesses optimize their operations and manage critical aspects of human resources. We specialize in offering unmatched unemployment cost control, employment verification, and tax credit services, all designed to reduce financial risk, streamline processes, and drive cost efficiency for our clients. Our Culture: We believe that success starts with people. We are committed to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and growth. Our mission is to empower our employees to thrive both professionally and personally, offering an environment where creativity and diverse ideas flourish. We are not just a company-we are a community of passionate individuals dedicated to making a real impact. From dynamic team-building opportunities to leadership development programs, Thomas & Company invests in its people at every level. Our supportive workplace is built on the foundation of our core values a shared vision for enabling success. Our winning culture has earned us recognition as a five-time Tennessean Top Workplace and two (and counting) USA Today Top Workplace. Whether you're looking for a challenge, a place to grow your career, or a team that values your contributions, Thomas & Company offers endless opportunities to make a difference. Join us and become part of a team where your ideas are heard, your potential is recognized, and your career can truly flourish. The Position: The Sr. Manager, POA & State Relations, is responsible for leading and developing team members while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with state unemployment agencies. This role serves as the primary liaison with State Workforce Agencies and ensures valid powers of attorney are on file for all client accounts. The Sr. Manager will partner with both internal teams and external stakeholders to support compliance, accuracy, and operational excellence. Success in this position requires exceptional organizational, analytical, and project management skills, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain a high level of attention to detail. Essential Duties and Responsibilities • Lead and support the Authorization team in preparing, securing, and managing POAs, including both electronic and paper-based forms. • Provide Guidance and oversight to ensure the team members are effectively managing their responsibilities and maintaining consistent performance. • Coach, mentor, and develop team members by setting goals, providing feedback, and supporting career growth and internal mobility • Create, update and maintain reference and training materials for team. • Identify gaps in the workflow and work to improve processes. • Monitor and audit POA records for accuracy, validity, and compliance • Develop and maintain reports and metrics related to POA authorization activities • Execution of Internal and External Service Level Agreements. • Work with clients and state agencies to ensure T&C has proper electronic authorizations. • Maintain close collaboration with state unemployment agencies to stay updated on authorization requirements, technology changes, and submission protocols. • Maintain detailed documentation for every state authorization process, including processes for claims, hearings, benefit charges, and tax documents. • Maintain accurate state unemployment contacts related to the Power of Attorney Authorization process. • Respond to client inquiries related to POAs, providing clear guidance, resolving escalations, and building strong working relationships. • Create and deliver client-facing resources and communications to educate on POA protocols and procedures • Work with members of internal management to effectively implement new clients to various services. • State agencies serve as key stakeholders within our workflow. Strong relationships with state agencies are critical to our ability to differentiate from the competition. This role serves as the primary contact for state agencies ensuring we are apprised of matters that could impact our service and our clients. Further, this role is responsible for proactively engaging state agencies, building strong relationships, and lobbying for opportunities that increase service quality and efficiencies. o Connect (via telephone and in-person) with state agency contacts. Build relationship map o SIDES pecking order o Data forms o Assessment of quality and compliance with state-specific requirements • Quality, Growth, and Operational Excellence o Reporting o Wage Audits o Fraudulent Claim Inquiries o Process Improvement (Advisory) ▪ Integrity Bill ▪ The "Why" associated with all data forms and processing o Operates as primary relationship owner for SIDES serving on the advisory board of directors. Ensure our company is at the front of the line to implement a given state / platform and maintains service levels that exceed the benchmarks set by the committee. ▪ SIDES committee ▪ SIDES calls ▪ SIDES news ▪ SIDES scores ▪ Last day tracking o Monitors other state agencies operating platforms established as alternatives to SIDES, namely Florida Connect, to ensure compliance. • Other duties as assigned. Requirements and Qualifications • High School Diploma required; bachelor's degree preferred. • 5+ years' experience in the unemployment industry, with strong understanding of prior authorizations and state-level regulatory processes. • 3+ years with leadership experience, manager or team lead experience qualifies. • Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. • Must be proficient in MS Word, MS Excel, and Outlook. • To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Special Considerations and Prerequisites • Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information with discretion. • Open to new ideas and willingness to embrace change. • Prioritizes and plans work effectively, uses time efficiently and develops realistic actionable plans. • Demonstrates accuracy, attention to detail, and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality. • Adapts to shifting priorities, competing demands unexpected events while maintaining productivity. • Takes initiative and works independently, while also collaborating effectively across teams. • Strong organizational, analytical, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly to diverse audiences. • Professional demeanor with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the organization. • Reliable, dependable, and punctual, with a consistent track record of accountability.