Benefits & Leave Specialist

Jobtailor; Illinois; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Benefits and Leave Administration professional to manage health, retirement, disability, and wellness programs. You will handle enrollments, eligibility, and communications while ensuring regulatory compliance and data accuracy.

The role also covers FMLA/ADA leave, accommodations, and workers’ compensation case management, partnering with HR stakeholders and vendors to optimize processes and the employee experience.

Qualifications

• Solid knowledge of employee benefits administration, leave management, and disability programs.
• Experience with workers’ compensation claims handling and return-to-work processes.
• Familiarity with HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA, ACA, and state leave requirements.

Responsibilities

• Administer benefits programs (health, retirement, disability, wellness, voluntary benefits) and manage enrollments.
• Coordinate leaves of absence (FMLA, ADA, etc.), accommodations, and return-to-work plans.
• Administer workers’ compensation claims from injury through resolution and coordinate medical care.
• Ensure data accuracy, billing reconciliation, and process improvements for benefits and leave administration.
• Serve as primary contact for benefit vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Educate employees and leaders on policies and available resources.

Skills

Benefits administration

Leave management

Disability programs

Workers' compensation

HRIS experience

FMLA knowledge

ADA compliance

HIPAA compliance

ACA knowledge

Multi-state operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

Workday

HRIS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Administer employee benefits programs, including health, retirement, disability, wellness, and voluntary benefits
• Manage benefit enrollments, life event changes, open enrollment, terminations, and employee eligibility records
• Serve as the primary contact for benefit vendors, brokers, and third-party administrators
• Ensure data accuracy, billing reconciliation, and process improvements
• Administer employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, disability, parental, military, and other statutory leave programs
• Coordinate leave documentation, accommodations, return-to-work plans, and employee reintegration efforts
• Manage workers’ compensation claims from injury through resolution, including claim reporting, medical coordination, and transitional duty programs
• Partner with managers, HSE, insurance providers, and employees on occupational health and injury management initiatives
• Ensure compliance with applicable employment, benefits, leave, and workers’ compensation regulations
• Educate employees and leaders on benefits, leave policies, and available resources
• Maintain accurate records, prepare reports and metrics, support audits, and improve benefits and leave administration processes
• Promote safety standards, comply with safety regulations and company policies, identify and mitigate hazards, use required safety equipment, and communicate safety information

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of employee benefits administration, leave management, disability programs, workers’ compensation, accommodations, and return-to-work practices
• Working knowledge of employment and benefits regulations, including FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA, ACA, and state leave requirements
• Excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and time management skills
• Strong customer service, communication, relationship-building, and collaboration abilities
• High level of attention to detail, accuracy, accountability, confidentiality, and compliance focus
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HRIS systems; Workday experience preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to process improvement and delivering a positive employee experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience focused on benefits administration and leave management
• Experience administering health and welfare benefit plans, disability programs, and workers’ compensation claims
• Experience working with HRIS systems, payroll interfaces, and multi-state operations
• Valid driver’s license required
• Must be authorized to work in the United States
• Must speak and understand English fluently
• Canadian benefits and leave administration experience is an asset

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in employee benefits administration, leave management, and compliance with employment regulations. Proficient in managing workers' compensation claims and fostering a positive employee experience through effective communication and process improvement.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Employee Benefits Administration
• Leave Management
• Workers' Compensation Claims
• HRIS Systems Experience
• FMLA and ADA Compliance

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Employee Benefits Programs
• Leave of Absence Administration
• Disability Programs
• Billing Reconciliation
• Data Accuracy
• Process Improvement
• Health and Welfare Benefit Plans
• Multi-State Operations
• Analytical Skills
• Time Management

Soft Skills

• Customer Service
• Communication
• Relationship-Building
• Collaboration
• Attention to Detail

Industry Keywords

• FMLA
• ADA
• HIPAA
• COBRA
• ERISA
• ACA
• Statutory Leave Programs
• Occupational Health
• Safety Regulations
• Employee Experience

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office
• HRIS Systems
• Workday