Director, Enterprise Benefits & Leave Leadership

Ultimate Staffing; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 153,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultimate Staffing is seeking a Director of Benefits and Leave Administration in Irvine, CA. Hybrid work with onsite preference 4 days/week. Direct Hire with a salary around $170K plus 20% bonus.

You will lead health and welfare benefits, manage enterprise leave programs, and ensure multi-state regulatory compliance while guiding a high-performing team. The role requires deep ERISA/ACA knowledge, hands-on analytics, and strong vendor management.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive benefits and leave administration experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience.
• Experience supporting organizations with 5,000+ employees.
• Demonstrated success mentoring, developing, and holding teams accountable.
• Multi-state benefits administration experience required.
• Strong knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, LOA regulations.
• Experience with IRS filings, Form 5500s, audits, and compliance reporting.
• Experience managing self-funded and fully insured health plans.
• Experience supporting union, SCA, prevailing wage, or highly customized benefit structures.
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead administration and strategy for health and welfare benefit programs.
• Oversee enterprise leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, paid leave, military leave.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, IRS, and DOL requirements.
• Manage Form 5500 filings, audits, reporting, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Lead annual renewals, open enrollment, and employee communication initiatives.
• Manage relationships with brokers, carriers, TPAs, consultants, and outside counsel.
• Analyze claims, utilization, and cost trends to support business decisions.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the benefits and LOA team.
• Support benefit-related integrations during mergers and acquisitions.
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, Legal, Payroll, and Executive Leadership.

Skills

Benefits leadership

Leave administration

Multi-state experience

ERISA compliance

Vendor management

Team leadership

Excel analytics

Union/SCA experience

Cost & reporting analysis

Education

CEBS/SPHR certification

Tools

Excel

HRIS systems

Form 5500 reporting tools

Job description

Ultimate Staffing is seeking a Director of Benefits and Leave Administration in Irvine, CA. Hybrid work with onsite preference 4 days/week. Direct Hire with a salary around $170K plus 20% bonus.

You will lead health and welfare benefits, manage enterprise leave programs, and ensure multi-state regulatory compliance while guiding a high-performing team. The role requires deep ERISA/ACA knowledge, hands-on analytics, and strong vendor management.