Benefits & Leave Specialist (m/f/d)
Nordex SE
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Job summary
Nordex SE in West Branch, IA, is seeking a Benefits & Leave Specialist to administer and optimize NA employee benefits, leaves, and related processes. You will ensure compliance with FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, ERISA, ACA, and state leave rules while delivering quality service and protecting confidential data.
You’ll partner with vendors, brokers, and managers to improve data accuracy, billing, and processes, supporting a positive employee experience and safety initiatives across North America.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or 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.
- Canadian benefits and leave administration experience is considered an asset.
Responsibilities
- 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 while ensuring 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 to support 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 drive continuous improvement in benefits and leave administration processes.
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Job description
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West Branch, IA, US, 52358 Chicago, IL, US, 60606
DEPARTMENT: People & Culture (HR)
Do you want to be part of an agile team where colleagueship truly matters?
As a global company, we interact with a variety of people and cultures. Integrity, Respect, Colleagueship and Ownership are the unifying force for all departments and regions around the world. It’s the individual that defines the team. And it’s the team that makes the difference. Join the #TEAMNORDEX and shape the future of energy with us.
The role of Benefits & Leave Specialist directly supports the company’s mission to develop and deliver clean power plants that make 100% renewable energy a reality for the world. The Benefits & Leave Specialist is responsible for the administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of employee benefit programs and leave of absence processes across North America. This role serves as the primary point of contact for employees, managers, vendors, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators regarding employee benefits, disability, leaves of absence, workers’ compensation, and return-to-work programs.
This position ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local employment legislation while delivering a positive employee experience and supporting the organization’s health, safety, and wellness objectives. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, excellent customer service, and the ability to manage highly confidential information.
- 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 while ensuring 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 to support 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 drive continuous improvement in benefits and leave administration processes.
- 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; Canadian experience is an asset.
- 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.
- Canadian benefits and leave administration experience is considered an asset.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States.
- Deliver exceptional employee service through accurate and timely administration.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable benefits, leave, and employment regulations.
- Effectively manage leave and workers’ compensation cases while minimizing organizational risk.
- Build strong partnerships with employees, leaders, vendors, and healthcare providers.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve processes, efficiency, and service delivery.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of and commitment to safety protocols and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and company policies.
- Proactively identify and mitigate potential safety hazards.
- Properly use applicable safety equipment, including but not limited to eye protection, hearing protectors, steel-toe boots, and hard hats. Loose-fitting clothes and jewelry are not permitted.
- Communicate effectively with team members and management to ensure a safe working environment.
- Speak and understand English fluently to effectively communicate safety and job-related information, follow safety instructions, and collaborate with English-speaking supervisors and team members.
We believe our employees are our greatest assets at Nordex. In addition to the opportunity to make our world a little more sustainable we offer you a total rewards program* designed to recognize and reward the dedication, hard work, and commitment of our team members. We are proud to offer a comprehensive package that aligns with our core values ofRespect, Integrity, Colleagueship, and Ownership.
- Paid Time Off - Three (3) weeks accrued (120 hours)
- Medical & Pharmacy Insuran ce with multiple options to best meet your needs
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with Employer Contribution
- Flex Spending Account (FSA)
- Vision Insurance
- Short-Term / Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- 401(k) with Employer Match
- Student Debt Repayment
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Calm Subscription
- Legal Plans
- Spot Pet Insurance
- Auto and Home Insurance
- And much more…
*Offers may vary by location and eligibility.
Nordex adheres to a policy of equal employment opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are committed to creating an environment and culture in which Diversity and Inclusion is recognized as a true opportunity and value for the organization. We welcome you to learn more by visiting this link: Diversity & Inclusion - Nordex SE
The manufacture of wind energy plants in the on-shore segment has been our core competence and passion for around 40years. With more than 57GW installed capacity worldwide, our turbines supply sustainable energy to more than 80% of the global energy market and we are one of the largest companies in the wind industry. National subsidiaries in more than 40markets and production facilities in Germany, Spain, Brazil, the USA, Mexico and India offer our more than 10,400employees the opportunity for international and intercultural cooperation.
We are growing and together driving forward the expansion of alternative energies worldwide - if you wish, from now on with you. Join the #TeamNordex
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