Leave Administration Specialist

Inside Higher Ed; Chapel Hill (NC); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid leave

Health and retirement plans

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Human Resources Specialist - Advanced in North Carolina. This role focuses on leave administration and offers potential hybrid work arrangements. The candidate should possess a bachelor’s degree and significant experience in HR with a strong emphasis on customer service and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include managing leave inquiries, supporting documentation processes, and ensuring service quality. Join a vibrant community dedicated to excellence in higher education.

Qualifications

• Experience in a high-volume benefits and leave environment.
• Strong professional discretion and ability to communicate HR policies clearly.
• Proactive in identifying issues and recommending process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Manage shared leave email inbox and respond to inquiries.
• Oversee intake and routing of leave-related communications.
• Contribute to operational efficiency in leave administration.

Skills

HR professionalism

Attention to detail

Regulatory compliance

Customer service

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Department HR - Benefits-Leave-WellBeing-260102

Career Area Human Resources

Is this an internal only recruitment? No

Posting Open Date 03/27/2026

Application Deadline 04/02/2026

Position Type Permanent Staff (SHRA)

Position Title Human Resources Specialist - Advanced

Salary Grade Equivalent NC09 / GN11

Working Title Leave Administration Specialist

Position Number 00062109

Vacancy ID P020914

Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited Full-Time Permanent

Hours Per Week 40

Work Schedule Monday – Friday; 8AM – 5PM

Work Location CHAPEL HILL, NC

Position Location North Carolina, US

Hiring Range $64,000 - $68,000

Pay Band Information To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose Of Organizational Unit

The Division of Finance and Operations at UNC-Chapel Hill encompasses a broad range of departments (Facilities Services, Finance, Budget & Data Analysis, Real Estate & Campus Enterprises, Human Resources, and Organizational Strategy and Performance) that serve and support the University’s teaching, research, and public service mission through dedicated, innovative work processes and high-quality customer service.

Benefits

The Benefits & Leave Administration Department strives for continuous excellence in service to help advance the mission of the Office of Human Resources at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Benefits & Leave Administration is responsible for the administration of benefit and leave plans, programs and policies authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly, University of North Carolina Systems Office and the University to more than 15,000 employees. Benefit and leave plans include:

• Medical & health benefits
• Life, accidental death & dismemberment plans
• Disability plans
• Retirement & savings plans
• Flexible spending accounts
• Education benefits

Position Summary

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The Leave Administration Specialist provides frontline administrative and operational support to the Leave Administration team and our customers. This role is responsible for managing the shared leave email inbox, responding to general inquiries, and overseeing the intake and triage of leave-related communications, forms, and documentation. The specialist ensures timely and accurate routing of requests to the appropriate Leave Consultant, supports documentation review and approval processes, and assists with follow-up tasks to maintain compliance and service quality. Additionally, the position contributes to assisting with leave processes, auditing leave transactions, and supporting various leave-related projects and initiatives.

This position will manage communications, coordinate leave documentation, and facilitate the accurate intake and routing of leave inquiries. The Leave Administration Specialist ensures that cases are properly tracked, assigned, and prepared for consultant review, while maintaining the integrity of leave records and promoting compliance with university policies. In addition, this position plays a key role in supporting and contributing to operational efficiency, service quality, and a responsive leave administration process across the university.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Management Preferences

• Proven ability to proactively identify issues, evaluate processes and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency and regulatory compliance in leave administration.
• Prior experience in a high-volume and fast paced benefits and leave environment, preferably in a higher education or state government setting.
• Strong HR professionalism and discretion with a demonstrated ability to deliver high-level customer service by communicating complex HR and leave policies (e.g., FMLA) clearly, empathetically, and professionally with diverse audiences.
• A commitment to continuous learning in employment law, leave regulations, and benefits programs to ensure ongoing compliance in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing demands, maintain detailed and accurate records, and consistently meet deadlines while safeguarding confidentiality.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

• Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping
• Occasional moving of objects up to 25 pounds

Position/Schedule Requirements

Evening work occasionally, Overtime occasionally