Benefits Operations and Leave Coordinator

Howden Group; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Howden Group is seeking a Benefits Operations and Leave Coordinator to support benefits programs, leave administration, and multi-state workers' compensation processes. You will ensure accurate data, respond to inquiries, and collaborate with HRIS, payroll, carriers, and partners to drive a positive employee experience.

Responsibilities include maintaining benefits data, ensuring regulatory compliance (ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA), and identifying process improvements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in benefits administration, leave administration, HR operations, People Operations, or a related HR support function.
• Working knowledge of employee benefits, leave of absence programs, workers' compensation, and related federal, state, and local compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with regulations including FMLA, ADA, ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and state paid leave programs.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll systems, third-party administrators, carriers, vendors, or benefit brokers.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate employee data, documentation, and reporting.
• Strong customer service and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, timely, and supportive employee guidance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel; Workday experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Benefits Operations Support the day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs, including health, wellness, retirement, and other benefit offerings.
• Respond to employee benefit inquiries by providing clear, accurate, and timely information.
• Maintain accurate benefits data in HRIS and related systems to support reporting, compliance, and employee records.
• Support compliance with applicable benefits regulations, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other requirements.
• Identify opportunities to streamline benefits processes, improve accuracy, and enhance employee experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Administer employee leave of absence cases, including vendor-managed and in-house leaves, in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements such as FMLA, state paid family and medical leave, workplace injury leave, and leave as an accommodation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees throughout the leave lifecycle, providing clear, timely, and supportive guidance.
• Partner with payroll to ensure accurate deductions, benefit premium processing, and recovery of missed premiums.
• Support multi-state workers' compensation compliance, including coverage requirements, injury reporting, and state-specific filing rules.
• Manage the annual workers' compensation reconciliation audit process by reviewing payroll data, validating classification codes and wage information, and ensuring accurate reporting in alignment with carrier and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Benefits administration

Leave administration

HR operations

People Operations

Regulatory compliance

FMLA/ADA/ACA

Data privacy

Customer service

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Workday experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

HRIS

Workday

Payroll systems

Job description

Who are we?

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 24,000 employees spanning over 56 countries. People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It's what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities - work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you'll find like-minded people driving change at Howden. Why work at Howden? We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients. Always have, always will. People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It's what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down disappointed headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities - work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you'll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

What is the role?

The Benefits Operations and Leave Coordinator provides operational support for employee benefit programs, leave administration, and multi-state workers' compensation processes. This role ensures accurate benefits data, timely employee support, compliance with applicable regulations, and effective coordination with HRIS, payroll, vendors, carriers, and benefit partners. The coordinator also helps improve processes, strengthen reporting accuracy, and support a positive employee experience.

What will you be doing?

Benefits Operations Support

Benefits Operations Support the day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs, including health, wellness, retirement, and other benefit offerings.

Respond to employee benefit inquiries by providing clear, accurate, and timely information.

Maintain accurate benefits data in HRIS and related systems to support reporting, compliance, and employee records.

Support compliance with applicable benefits regulations, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and other requirements.

Identify opportunities to streamline benefits processes, improve accuracy, and enhance employee experience.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Leave Administration

Administer employee leave of absence cases, including vendor-managed and in-house leaves, in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements such as FMLA, state paid family and medical leave, workplace injury leave, and leave as an accommodation.

Serve as the primary point of contact for employees throughout the leave lifecycle, providing clear, timely, and supportive guidance.

Partner with payroll to ensure accurate deductions, benefit premium processing, and recovery of missed premiums.

Support multi-state workers' compensation compliance, including coverage requirements, injury reporting, and state-specific filing rules.

Manage the annual workers' compensation reconciliation audit process by reviewing payroll data, validating classification codes and wage information, and ensuring accurate reporting in alignment with carrier and regulatory requirements.

What are we looking for?

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• associate degree or bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• 3+ years of experience in benefits administration, leave administration, HR operations, People Operations, or a related HR support function
• Working knowledge of employee benefits, leave of absence programs, workers' compensation, and related federal, state, and local compliance requirements
• Familiarity with applicable regulations, including FMLA, ADA, ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and state paid leave programs
• Experience working with HRIS, payroll systems, third-party administrators, carriers, vendors, or benefit brokers
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate employee data, documentation, and reporting
• Strong customer service and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, timely, and supportive employee guidance
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel; Workday experience preferred

Compensation and Benefits

The expected base salary range for this role is $75,000- $95,000; actual base salary will be determined based on factors including candidate experience and work location.

This role is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In addition to a competitive base sala