Benefits & Leave Administrator

About the role

The Benefits and Leave Administrator plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of SJE’s employee benefits and leave programs. This role is hybrid and can be based in Plymouth, Detroit Lakes, MN, Ashland, OH, or Birmingham, AL.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of SJE’s employee benefits and leave programs.
• Own the full lifecycle administration of employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, long-term disability, COBRA, wellness initiatives, and leave of absence programs.
• Partner closely with employees, leaders, vendors, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators to ensure a concierge level of employee experience while maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Independently manage leave of absence and ADA accommodation processes, coordinate workers’ compensation claims and return-to-work programs, reconcile benefit billing, oversee open enrollment activities, support 401(k) administration, maintain accurate HRIS and vendor data, and develop employee communication and training materials related to benefits and leave programs.
• Play a key role in analyzing participation trends, identifying process improvements, supporting organizational HR initiatives, and enhancing employee engagement and wellness efforts across SJE.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of employee benefits, leave administration, and compliance requirements including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, OSHA, and applicable state leave laws.
• Experience independently administering and managing health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, leave of absence, and workers’ compensation programs from onboarding through offboarding.
• Comfortable serving as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for employee questions related to benefits, leave administration, accommodations, and eligibility.
• Experience managing complex leave and accommodation situations while maintaining confidentiality, compliance, and excellent employee service.
• Familiarity with multi-state leave and benefit administration requirements and changing employment regulations.
• Experience coordinating open enrollment processes, benefits communications, vendor relationships, billing reconciliation, and annual compliance activities.
• Experience working within HRIS, preferably UKG, along with third-party benefit administration platforms.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Highly self-directed with the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities, manage sensitive information, and exercise sound judgment independently.

Qualifications

• A 4-year degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required, along with 7+ years of progressive experience in benefits and leave administration.
• Professional certifications such as SHRM, CEBS, or related certifications are preferred.

Benefits

• We offer a robust benefits package including health, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance as well as dental and vision programs.
• Other benefit options are available.

Pay

The starting salary will be $65,000 - $95,000 per year and will depend on location and experience.

Schedule

Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Benefits Package

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, dental, and vision programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.