Benefits & Leave Specialist

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day benefits administration, ensuring accurate employee data and vendor service delivery. Serve as an escalation point for complex employee benefits inquiries.
• Oversee annual compliance requirements, including ACA reporting and required filings.
• Administer the 401(k) program, including vendor coordination and employee education.
• Lead the annual open enrollment process, including planning, system updates, employee communications, and vendor coordination.
• Partner with benefits consultants on renewals, vendor changes, audits, and compliance across all benefit programs.
• Reconcile benefit invoices and enrollment records monthly.
• Develop, maintain, and update benefits procedures and related HR policies to ensure consistent administration.
• Analyze benefits utilization, costs, and trends to identify cost savings and improvement opportunities.
• Communicate benefits programs through presentations, written materials, and employee communication.
• Responsible for processing leave requests and determining eligibility for FMLA and state leaves.
• Track leave usage, and coordinate with payroll to ensure accurate coding.
• Assist with employee accommodations and employee relations.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or closely related field.
• Experience: Minimum five (5) years of demonstrated experience administering complex benefits and leave processes accurately and independently. Demonstrated competency in understanding of relevant employment laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA HIPAA, COBRA. Experience working with benefits and leave data, enrollment and invoice audits, and system integrations.
• Digital Literacy: Intermediate to advanced proficiency in understanding and skills with MS 360 Office Suite and tools.

Nice to Have

• SHRM, PHR, GPHR, and/or CLMS certification.
• Experience managing or supporting 401(k) plans, including the annual audit process.
• Experience using Paylocity HRIS or Bswift Benefits
• Advance proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools, preferred.