Benefits and Leave Specialist

The Benefits and Leave Specialist provides administrative support for company-wide benefit programs with a primary focus on the day-to-day coordination and management of leave of absence and accommodation requests. This role serves as a key resource for employees navigating medical and personal leaves, ensuring all documentation and communications are handled with care and compliance. 

Leave Management:

o Serve as the main point of contact for employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, ADA, state-specific leave, parental leave, military leave, and company-sponsored leave programs. 

o Manage the full leave lifecycle: intake, eligibility review, tracking, documentation, status updates, and return-to-work coordination. 

o Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and MCG policies; escalate complex ADA or medical accommodation cases when needed. 

o Partner with third-party leave administrators and vendors to ensure cases are handled accurately and timely. 

o Maintain precise leave records, correspondence, and communication logs. 

o Proactively communicate with employees, managers, and HR support teams throughout the leave process to support positive employee experience and operational continuity.

o Preserve confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.

Benefits Administration:

o Support daily administration of employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, wellness, and ancillary programs. 

o Assist with new hire benefits onboarding, open enrollment activities, and qualifying life event changes. 

o Provide timely and accurate responses to employee benefits inquiries. 

o Process vendor files, invoices, enrollments, and audits to ensure data accuracy and billing reconciliation. 

o Support compliance efforts including ACA reporting, ERISA requirements, and plan documentation updates. 

o Assist in the development of communication materials, FAQs, job aids, and resources that improve employee understanding of benefits and leave programs. 

Participate in benefits projects and process-improvement initiatives. 

Attributes:

· Safety Focus: Prioritize safety in all actions. Actively follow safety protocols, identify potential hazards, and take immediate steps to correct or report unsafe conditions. Model safe behavior for others and contribute to a culture of workplace safety.

· Have Humanity: Respect the input and ideas of everyone to create the best possible outcome.

· Be Transparent: Value transparency in all interactions, ensuring honesty and openness with each stakeholder. 

· Drive Innovation: Seek new ways to improve and take on new challenges. 

· Be Resilient: Adapt to the ever-evolving business needs enabled by resourcefulness and agility.

· Always Reliable: Deliver on your commitments and achieve your goals. Show up to work on time and complete your assigned tasks.

· Grit: Learn new things, actively seek feedback and training.

· Ownership Mindset: Take full responsibility for the quality and efficiency of your work. Proactively identify issues, offer solutions, and follow through. Treat company resources and goals as your own.

Required Knowledge/Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree in human resources, a related field, or equivalent experience.

· 2 - 4 years of experience in benefits administration or leave management. 

· Working knowledge of federal and state leave laws (FMLA, ADA, state-specific leaves). 

· Strong attention to detail and ability to manage sensitive information confidentially. 

· Excellent communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills. 

· Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 

· Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

· Experience working with third-party LOA administrators. 

· Prior experience in healthcare, corporate HR, or multi-state leave administration.

· Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.