Leave & Benefits Program Lead

Job Description Overview:
We are seeking an experienced HR professional with deep expertise in benefits administration, benefits reconciliation, and leave of absence management. This role serves as the organization's subject matter expert and is responsible for the strategic and operational ownership of all benefits and leave programs, ensuring compliance, operational excellence, data integrity, and an exceptional employee experience.
The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of multi-state leave laws, benefits strategy and administration, vendor management, and HR compliance systems. This individual is highly analytical, detail-oriented, and capable of independently managing complex reconciliations, leave cases, audits, and employee support in a fast-paced environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Benefits Administration and Reconciliation:
Serve as owner of all company benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, 401(k), COBRA, and voluntary benefits.
Manage full-cycle benefits administration including enrollments, life events, terminations, eligibility, payroll deductions, and carrier file integrations.
Own monthly benefits reconciliation across carrier invoices, payroll deductions, HRIS data, and employee elections; resolve discrepancies and errors.
Lead annual benefits renewals including plan design review, rate analysis, benchmarking, vendor negotiations, and final recommendations.
Partner with brokers, carriers, payroll, finance, and HRIS to manage escalations, audits, compliance, and ongoing administration.
Lead open enrollment planning and execution including system setup, communications, employee support, and post-enrollment reconciliation.
Conduct benefits audits and ensure compliance with ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA.
Analyze benefits data to identify trends, cost savings, and operational improvements.
Maintain accurate benefits records, documentation, and reporting.
Leave of Absence Management
Administer all leave programs including FMLA, CFRA, ADA accommodations, PDL, PFL, workers’ compensation coordination, and company policies.
Manage full leave lifecycle from intake through return-to-work in compliance with applicable laws.
Review medical documentation to determine eligibility and accommodation requirements.
Coordinate with employees, managers, vendors, payroll, and third-party administrators on leave status, pay, and benefits continuation.
Maintain accurate leave tracking, documentation, and required communications.
Partner on complex leave and accommodation cases and recommend process improvements.
Safety, Workers' Compensation & Training
Coordinate workers' compensation claims administration and return-to-work processes in partnership with managers, payroll, and third-party administrators.
Partner with Facilities and IT to administer and track required safety, emergency preparedness, and security-related training programs.
Maintain related records, reporting, and compliance documentation.
Support workplace safety initiatives and employee communications as needed.
Compliance, HRIS & Operations
Support ACA reporting, audits, compliance reviews, and policy updates.
Ensure HRIS data integrity across benefits, payroll, and employee records; perform ongoing system maintenance and audits.
Prepare reports and analytics on benefits costs, leave trends, and operational metrics.
Contribute to HR initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Skills:
Deep expertise in benefits administration, reconciliation, and leave management
Strong knowledge of FMLA, CFRA, ADA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and related regulations
Experience reviewing medical documentation and managing complex leave cases
Strong analytical and auditing skills with high attention to detail
Advanced HRIS proficiency (Workday, ADP, UKG, SAP SuccessFactors, etc.)
Advanced Excel and data analysis skills