Benefits & Engagement Specialist

About the role

The Benefits & Engagement Specialist enhances the employee experience by supporting benefits administration, leave of absence (LOA), and accommodations, while also contributing to engagement initiatives that promote well-being, inclusion, and organizational belonging.

Responsibilities

• Administer and manage employee benefit programs, including enrollments, life event changes, and terminations, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Own Leave of Absence (LOA) and accommodation cases end-to-end, including medical (ADA) and religious accommodations, while delivering a consistent and compliant employee experience.
• Guide employees through benefits coverage, eligibility, and financial implications during leave, serving as a primary point of contact for related inquiries.
• Manage benefits continuation and payroll impacts during leave, including coordinating deductions, identifying discrepancies, and supporting reconciliation and repayment processes upon return.
• Collaborate with Payroll, Compliance, and external vendors (e.g., leave administrators, insurance carriers) to ensure seamless execution of benefits and leave processes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ACA, ERISA, FMLA, ADA), partnering with Compliance to interpret and apply evolving guidelines.
• Support benefits and engagement communications, including open enrollment, policy updates, leave guidance, and employee education.
• Analyze benefits utilization, leave trends, and engagement data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Manage and support employee engagement programs (e.g., recognition, surveys, well-being initiatives) aligned to company culture and values.
• Partner with HR and leadership to support inclusion, retention, and overall employee satisfaction.

Requirements

• 2-3 years of proven experience with HR Benefits.
• Proven experience in benefits administration with hands-on LOA and accommodation management.
• Strong knowledge of leave programs (FMLA, disability), ADA accommodations, and benefits administration processes.
• Experience managing benefits during leave and understanding payroll/benefits interaction (deductions, repayment, coverage continuation).
• Ability to own cases end-to-end, including employee guidance, vendor coordination, and resolution.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policies into clear guidance.
• Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems and benefits administration platforms.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience managing complex or multi-state leave and accommodation cases.
• Familiarity with benefits vendors and leave administration partners.
• Experience implementing or supporting engagement initiatives, surveys, or recognition programs.
• Project management or event coordination experience.
• Familiarity with HR metrics and reporting best practices.

Other Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.
• HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR) preferred.
• Continuing education in benefits, compliance, or employee experience is a plus.

Pay and Benefits

The estimated annual pay range for this position is $60,000 - $90,000 which includes a base salary. The compensation for this position is dependent on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location and, therefore, will vary from individual to individual. Benefits may include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending.