Senior Benefits and Leave Specialist

Be part of a team that's committed to making a difference. We believe in our work and our customers.
Position Location
Remote Type
Hybrid
Office Location (if not fully remote):
4750 S Biltmore Lane , Madison, Wisconsin 53718
Job Description
Senior Benefits & Leave Specialist (Contract - 90 Days)
Location: Madison, WI (Hybrid)
Fairway Home Mortgage is seeking an experienced Senior Benefits & Leave Specialist for a 90-day contract assignment.
In this role, you will support the administration of employee benefits and leave programs, ensuring compliance, delivering exceptional employee support, and partnering with internal teams and external vendors to maintain efficient processes. This position is ideal for a professional with strong knowledge of leave administration, benefits operations, HR systems, and regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Leave Administration:
Administer and support leave of absence programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation, disability, and life insurance claims.
Coordinate leave accommodations, fitness-for-duty processes, and return-to-work activities.
Respond to employee and vendor inquiries regarding leave programs through phone, email, and case management systems.
Process leave status changes and qualifying life events that impact benefits eligibility.
Maintain accurate leave records and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
Provide recommendations for continuous improvement of leave-related policies, procedures, and documentation.
Benefits Administration:
Support the administration of employee benefit programs in accordance with plan documents and company policies.
Respond to employee and vendor inquiries related to benefits programs and eligibility.
Conduct routine audits of benefits and leave data within Workday and other systems.
Partner with benefits vendors and brokers to support daily operations and annual renewal activities.
Analyze data and workflows to identify opportunities for process improvements and operational efficiencies.
Assist with ESOP data collection and benefits-related compliance activities.
Support annual compliance testing and administration of employer retirement plan contributions.
Prepare and distribute monthly benefits metrics and reporting.
Operational & Team Support:
Serve as a resource for HR team members on benefits and leave-related topics.
Provide backup support for leave administration, accommodations, fitness-for-duty, and workers' compensation processes.
Assist with special projects, including annual open enrollment activities.
Mentor team members by sharing expertise in benefits and leave administration.
Support bi-monthly payroll-related benefits activities, including benefits file administration, arrears processing, PTO programs, and related transactions.
Monitor, troubleshoot, and resolve benefits and leave integration errors between Workday and vendor systems.
What We're Looking For:
3+ years of experience in a professional Human Resources role with a strong emphasis on benefits administration, leave management, or related employee programs.
3+ years of experience administering leave of absence programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation, disability, and life insurance claims.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex benefits, leave, and policy-related information clearly and effectively to employees, managers, vendors, and other stakeholders.
Working knowledge of federal and state leave laws, benefits compliance, and HR best practices.
Experience working with HRIS platforms, preferably Workday.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent customer service and relationship-building abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Location: Hybrid role based in Madison, Wisconsin.
Duration: 90-day contract assignment.
Fairway Home Mortgage, founded in 1996, is a nationwide leader in the mortgage industry. Customer service is at the heart of everything we do. We deliver personalized loan solutions with some of the fastest turn times in the industry. Our mission is to act as trusted advisors, guiding clients through every step of the mortgage process to exceed expectations and ensure satisfaction.
Our culture promotes innovation, growth, and collaboration, offering exciting career paths and professional development. Whether you're starting out or advancing your career, Fairway is a place where your skills and ambitions can thrive.
Current Employees: Head to the Fairway Careers Hub in Workday for internal job openings.
We post some job openings internally for our employees and others externally for the general public. If you cannot find the perfect role right now, do not hesitate to contact the Careers Team at careers@fairwaymc.com. We can answer any questions and keep you updated on future opportunities.
View our E-Verify and Right to Work notices HERE.
Important Notice to Job Seekers! We’ve been made aware of fraudulent messages falsely claiming to be from Fairway recruiters, including links to assessments. These are not legitimate and are not affiliated with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. We’re working with our Information Security team to address this issue. Thank you for your vigilance and continued interest in joining Fairway! All official communication will come from verified Fairway email addresses or our official LinkedIn page. If you receive a suspicious message, please do not click any links and notify us.