"Benefits Leave of Absence Manager"

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

LOA Operations 50%

• Oversee daily LOA operations, including case management, consulting, processing, and employee communication.
• Ensure consistent application of LOA policies and procedures across the organization.
• Lead and participate in cross-functional meetings with Benefits, Payroll, Employee Relations, Legal, Workers' Compensation, and LOA teams to align policies, resolve issues, and drive initiatives.
• Maintain the Kronos LOA module, ensuring data integrity and timely transaction processing.
• Manage benefits billing for employees on leave, directing staff to track and complete related transactions.
• Administer benefits for employee/dependent deaths, as well as bereavement and community service leave programs.
• Monitor the HR ticketing system to ensure timely and accurate responses to LOA requests.

Training and Leadership 25%

• Partner with the Benefits Director on strategic initiatives, policy development, documentation, and improvements.
• Deliver training and presentations for employees and managers on benefits programs and updates.
• Provide backup support to the Benefits Director when unavailable.
• Offer empathetic, solutions-focused guidance on complex benefit cases, balancing compliance with employee well-being.
• Address employee questions by interpreting benefit policies and procedures.

Compliance and Reporting 10%

• Monitor regulatory changes and compliance to ensure adherence to federal, state, and University guidelines, HIPAA guidelines.
• Manage specified annual reporting requirements (e.g., bereavement, voluntary shared, parental, and bonus leave), and support Annual Personal Leave Offer, and Leave Attestation.

Supervision 10%

• Recruit, lead, and evaluate a team of two LOA staff.
• Set goals, develop work plans, and monitor performance.
• Provide coaching, training, and motivation to staff.
• Foster a collaborative and positive work environment.

Other Essential Duties as Assigned 5%

• Benefit / HR related projects.

Minimum Experience / Education:

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, human resources, business administration, or related field, and 5+ years of professional work experience in benefits administration, including LOA and compliance, or equivalent combination of education and experience administering benefit programs may be considered.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state leave laws (i.e., FMLA).
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and advanced Excel skills, including vlookups, pivot tables, and data analysis.
• Prior direct supervision/management experience and proven ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.

Preferred Education Skills and Experience:

• Proven leadership and project management skills.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment with multiple stakeholders, working independently when needed.
• Public sector experience preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and time-management abilities.