Director, Benefits and Leave Administration

Ultimate Staffing Services; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultimate Staffing Services in Irvine, CA seeks a Director of Benefits and Leave Administration to lead enterprise-wide programs for a large workforce. You will manage health and welfare plans, oversee leave programs, drive renewals, ensure ERISA/ACA compliance, and guide vendor partnerships.

This role requires 10+ years in benefits, 5+ years of leadership, and strongExcel/analytical capabilities. You will influence strategy, lead a team, and support growth initiatives in a direct-hire, on-site

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive benefits and leave administration experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing enterprise benefits programs.
• Experience with self-funded and fully insured healthcare plans.
• Deep knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, USERRA.
• Strong vendor management, compliance, analytics, and reporting experience.
• Experience supporting large, multi-state employee populations.
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills.
• Exceptional communication and executive presentation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, administration, and improvement of health and welfare benefits programs.
• Oversee all leave programs including FMLA, ADA, paid family, military, and workers' comp.
• Direct annual benefits renewals and open enrollment processes.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA and related regulations.
• Manage vendor relationships, broker partnerships, contracts, and service performance.
• Analyze claims data, utilization trends, and benefit costs to drive improvements.
• Lead and develop a high-performing benefits and leave team.
• Advise executive leadership on benefits strategy and employee experience initiatives.
• Support M&A activity and organizational growth initiatives.

Skills

Benefits administration

Leadership

ERISA knowledge

ACA/COBRA/HIPAA knowledge

FMLA/ADA/USERRA knowledge

Vendor management

Advanced Excel

Executive communication

Education

SPHR certification

CEBS certification

Advanced degree in HR/Business

Job description

Director, Benefits and Leave Administration (JN -072026-425575) Irvine, California

Salary: USD125000 - USD160000 per year

Job Title: Director, Benefits and Leave Administration

Location: Irvine, CA

Employment Type: Direct Hire

Salary: $125k-$160k + 20% bonus

Our client is a North American industry leader with more than 300,000 employees and operations across thousands of locations nationwide. They are seeking a strategic and experienced benefits leader to oversee enterprise-wide benefits and leave administration programs for a large, complex workforce.

What You'll Do

• Lead the strategy, administration, and continuous improvement of health and welfare benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, and voluntary benefits.
• Oversee all leave programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, state leave laws, paid family leave, military leave, and workers' compensation coordination.
• Direct annual benefits renewals and open enrollment processes.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and related federal and state regulations.
• Manage vendor relationships, broker partnerships, contract negotiations, and service performance.
• Analyze claims data, utilization trends, and benefit costs to drive strategic improvements.
• Lead and develop a high-performing benefits and leave administration team.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on benefits strategy, workforce wellbeing, and employee experience initiatives.
• Support M&A activity, integrations, and organizational growth initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of progressive benefits and leave administration experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing enterprise benefits programs and teams.
• Experience with self-funded and fully insured healthcare plans.
• Deep knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, USERRA, and related regulations.
• Strong vendor management, compliance, financial analysis, and reporting experience.
• Experience supporting large, multi-state employee populations.
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills.
• Exceptional communication and executive presentation abilities.

Preferred

• SPHR and/or CEBS certification.
• Experience within a large, multi-state organization.
• Advanced degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field.

This is an opportunity to influence benefits strategy at one of the largest employers in North America, supporting a workforce of more than 300,000 employees.