Director, Benefits and Leave Administration

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

Job summary

Ultimate Staffing is seeking a Director of Benefits and Leave Administration in Irvine, CA. This senior role leads enterprise-wide health and leave programs, ensuring compliance and strategic optimization for a large workforce.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in benefits with 5+ years in leadership, experience with self-funded and fully insured plans, and strong vendor management and finance skills. Direct hire, on-site role with competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, administration, and continuous improvement of health and welfare benefits programs.
• Oversee all leave programs including FMLA, ADA accommodations, state laws, and workers' compensation coordination.
• Direct annual benefits renewals and open enrollment processes.
• Ensure ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, and related regulations compliance.
• 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 administration team.
• Advise executive leadership on benefits strategy, wellbeing, and employee experience.
• Support M&A activity, integrations, and growth initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Executive communication

Vendor management

Financial analysis

Reporting

People leadership

Education

SPHR/CEBS

Advanced degree in HR/Business

Job description

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.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Benefits Administration
• Employee Benefits
• Leave of Absence Management
• FMLA
• ADA Compliance
• Benefits Compliance
• Vendor Management
• Total Rewards
• Self-Funded Health Plans
• People Leadership

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.