Leave Benefits Coordinator

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 80,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is seeking a Leave Benefits Coordinator to join its Human Resources team in Washington, DC.

You will administer leaves, work with Benefits and Payroll, handle inquiries, and maintain Leave data in Workday with confidentiality. The role emphasizes continuous learning and collaboration across the firm, with a hybrid work policy and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with HR emphasis preferred.
• 4+ years of HR experience, ideally in a law firm or professional services.
• Experience with HRIS platforms and Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of federal/state and local leave laws incl. FMLA.
• Proficiency with Workday HRIS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer, monitor, and track leaves of absence and related processes, procedures and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Benefits, Payroll, HR, managers, the third-party leave administrator and other internal stakeholders.
• Serve as first point of contact for inquiries regarding firm leave policies, third-party leave administration, state/local leave benefits.
• Enter, track, and report leave-related data in the Workday HRIS, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
• Lead the coordination and validation of payroll adjustments for leaves of absence to ensure accurate, timely payments.
• Prepare, track and maintain a variety of leave-related templates, communications and documentation.
• Demonstrate digital agility and a commitment to continuous learning by adopting new HR systems, technologies, and AI-enabled tools.
• Create and disseminate monthly and ad-hoc leave reports to impacted teams across the firm.
• Occasionally support reasonable accommodation administration by coordinating with the Compliance Manager and other HR/legal members.
• Escalate complex, sensitive, or legally significant leave, accommodation, payroll, benefits or employee relations matters.
• Proactively lead and participate in special projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the HR Benefits team.
• Report to assigned work location as required under the firm’s hybrid work policy.

Skills

HR knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Workday HRIS

Excel

Outlook

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Leave Benefits Coordinator in the Human Resources department, reporting to the Leave Administration Manager.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Administer, monitor, and track all leaves of absence and related processes, procedures, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate and communicate cross-functionally with Benefits, Payroll, Human Resources, managers, the third-party leave administrator and other internal stakeholders in support of all aspects of leave administration.
• Serve as first point of contact for inquiries regarding firm leave policies, third-party leave administration, state/local leave benefits, and related next steps.
• Enter, track, and report on leave-related data in the Workday HRIS, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
• Lead the coordination and validation of payroll adjustments for leaves of absence to ensure accurate, timely payments.
• Prepare, track and maintain a variety of leave-related templates, communications and documentation. Proofread for accuracy of format, grammar, punctuation and syntax.
• Demonstrate digital agility and a commitment to continuous learning by adopting new HR systems, technologies, and AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Create and disseminate monthly and ad-hoc leave reports to impacted teams across the firm.
• Occasionally support reasonable accommodation administration by coordinating with the Compliance Manager and other appropriate Human Resources and/or legal team members.
• Escalate complex, sensitive, or legally significant leave, accommodation, payroll, benefits or employee relations matters to the appropriate resources.
• Proactively lead and participate in special projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the HR Benefits team.
• Report to assigned work location as required under the firm’s hybrid work policy.

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Bachelor’s degree required with an emphasis in Human Resources preferred
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant human resources experience, preferably in a law firm or other professional services organization
• Experience working with HRIS platforms and Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint required
• Experience with third-party leave administrator preferred
• Knowledge of federal, state and local leave laws and related requirements, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, state paid family and medical leave programs, sick and safe leave laws, pregnancy-related leave, and military leave
• Knowledge of workers’ compensation fundamentals and processes preferred
• Proficiency with the Workday HRIS preferred
• Superior service orientation, and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, management, and outside business partners
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with tact, empathy, and accuracy with individuals at all levels within and outside of the firm
• Adaptability and continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to embrace new processes, technologies, and ways of working to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task and prioritize work and adjust to changing priorities and deadlines in a professional manner
• Commitment to maintain confidentiality of employee, office, firm and client information including secure handling of leave documentation and adhering to the Firm’s Core Values
• Strong work ethic and willingness and ability to assume new tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to work both independently and part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines under sometimes stressful conditions
• Ability to work extended hours as necessary to fulfill time sensitive responsibilities
• Commitment to professional growth and development

The anticipated base salary range for this position in Washington, DC is $80,000 to $99,000. The actual salary offered will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, years of relevant experience, certifications or other professional licenses held, job-related knowledge and skills, business needs, and the location from which the work will be performed. Additionally, salary or hourly wages may be only part of the total compensation package, which may also include a full range of health and other insurance benefits, financial and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility), a discretionary bonus, and various paid time off benefits. Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found here.