Benefits and Leave Manager

About the role

The Benefits and Leave Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administration and effective delivery of the organization's health and welfare benefits and leave programs, including disability, workers' compensation, ADA accommodations, retirement, and wellness support.

Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day administration of health and welfare benefit programs, ensuring accurate eligibility, enrollment, coverage, and service delivery for union and non-union associates.
• Processes and monitors enrollments, terminations, transfers, qualifying life events, and benefit classification changes within ADP and carrier systems.
• Reviews and reconciles benefit billing statements, resolves discrepancies, and partners with Finance to support accurate documentation and timely payment.
• Supports the annual renewal process by gathering claims, utilization, benchmarking, and cost information and preparing analysis and recommendations for HR leadership.
• Captures and implements approved benefit plan changes within ADP, COBRA, FSA, HSA, and carrier platforms and verifies that configurations align with plan provisions.
• Maintains the HSA program and coordinates employer contributions with Finance to ensure accurate and timely funding.
• Maintains productive relationships with benefit advisors, carriers, and vendors, monitors service delivery, and resolves or escalates issues as appropriate.
• Conducts benefit orientations, individual consultations, and benefits-related exit support and helps associates navigate Medicare, Social Security, and other external resources.
• Manages leave programs, including FMLA, applicable New Jersey leave programs, short- and long-term disability, ADA accommodations, and workers' compensation.
• Coordinates leave intake, eligibility review, required notices, medical certifications, recertifications, leave designations, extensions, and return-to-work documentation.
• Maintains accurate tracking for consecutive and intermittent leave and updates leave status information within ADP and other applicable systems.
• Guides associates and managers regarding leave requirements, available benefits, responsibilities, timelines, medical restrictions, and return-to-work expectations.
• Supports the ADA interactive process with associates, managers, HR leadership, and Legal to support timely and consistent evaluation of reasonable accommodations.
• Reviews injury investigation reports, reports workers' compensation claims, prepares wage statements, and follows up with associates, carriers, healthcare providers, Safety, Security, and Operations.
• Produces regular leave and workers' compensation reports, supports OSHA recordkeeping, and ensures documentation is complete, current, confidential, and audit-ready.
• Coordinates sick pay, wage replacement, disability benefits, and other payments associated with leaves of absence.
• Supports Human Performance Evaluations and return-to-work restrictions and supports transitions to long-term disability or external state resources when applicable.
• Manages complex or sensitive cases and escalates material compliance, employee relations, or operational concerns to HR leadership and Legal when appropriate.
• Administers the day-to-day operations of the 401(k) plan and serves as a primary contact for the recordkeeper, plan advisors, Payroll, and associates.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for complex benefits and leave questions, coordinating with vendors and internal partners through resolution.
• Develops and delivers clear benefits and leave communications, presentations, and educational resources for associates and managers.
• Prepares documentation for audits, regulatory inquiries, and internal reviews and follows through on identified corrective actions.
• Maintains clear documentation of vendor contacts, open items, decisions, and follow-up responsibilities across assigned programs.
• Ensures assigned benefits, leave, retirement, wellness, and workers' compensation processes are administered consistently with applicable laws, plan documents, and company policies.
• Coordinates required filings, disclosures, and notices, including ERISA materials, ACA reporting support, COBRA notices, CMS and PCORI requirements, RxDC, CHIPRA, SARs, and applicable plan amendments.
• Maintains HIPAA privacy and data-protection practices and safeguards confidential medical and benefit information in all systems and communications.
• Maintains benefits- and leave-related procedures, forms, templates, and records and supports policy updates in partnership with HR leadership and Legal.
• Prepares documentation for audits, regulatory inquiries, and internal reviews and follows through on identified corrective actions.
• Maintains regulatory and vendor updates, identifies potential impact, and brings recommended process or policy changes to HR leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, preferably in Human Resources, Benefits, or a related field.
• Preferred: CEBS, CBP, SHRM-CP, PHR, or leave administration certification.
• 5-7 years of progressive experience in benefits and leave administration, including hands-on responsibility for complex leave cases and benefit program operations.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of health and welfare benefits and leave administration in a complex environment.
• Hands-on experience with self-funded plan administration, claims and utilization information, vendor coordination, and annual open enrollment.
• Knowledge of FMLA, ADA, short- and long-term disability, workers' compensation, and applicable New Jersey leave and wage-replacement programs.
• Working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, OSHA recordkeeping, and other benefits and leave compliance requirements.
• Experience with HRIS and benefit platforms, preferably ADP, and the ability to learn and maintain multiple vendor systems.
• Ability to reconcile benefit and leave data, identify discrepancies, maintain accurate records, and prepare clear reports.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex information to associates and managers.
• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills when handling sensitive, complex, or time-sensitive matters.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and programs independently while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and follow-through.
• Ability to partner effectively with Finance, Payroll, Legal, Operations, Safety, vendors, carriers, and advisors.
• A customer-focused approach and commitment to providing responsive, consistent associate support.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Pay and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $115,000, depending on qualifications such as experience, education, and skillset. In addition to salary, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus and offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K plan with company match, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account, Employee Assistance Program, Pet Insurance Plan and more.