Manager, HR Benefits and Leave

CO01 Southern Illinois Hospital Services Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 93,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Illinois Healthcare seeks a Benefits and Leave Manager to oversee benefits and leave programs, ensuring ERISA/ACA compliance and a positive employee experience. You will partner with HR, legal, payroll, and vendors to design, administer, and improve programs.

Requires a Bachelor's degree in HR or related field, and advanced HR certifications preferred. Five years of benefits/leave administration experience and strong vendor management are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field.
• HR Certification (CEBS, SHRM-CP/SCP, and/or PHR/SPHR) preferred – must complete within 1 year.
• 5 years of progressive experience in benefits and leave administration.
• In-depth knowledge of FMLA, ADA, ACA, ERISA and state leave laws.
• Experience managing vendors and complex benefit programs.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems.
• Experience leading or mentoring a team.
• Background in compliance, audits or large/complex organizations.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and administer employee benefit programs (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, voluntary).
• Lead annual open enrollment, including vendor coordination, communications, system configuration, and post-enrollment audits.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits vendors, brokers, and consultants.
• Monitor benefit plan performance, utilization, and costs; recommend improvements aligning with organizational strategy.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA and other applicable regulations.
• Oversee all leave of absence programs (FMLA, state/local leaves), develop policies and documentation.
• Partner with leaders to ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant leave administration.
• Manage relationships with third-party leave administrators, as applicable.
• Track leave data, trends, and compliance metrics.
• Ensure benefit and leave programs comply with federal, state, and local laws.
• Lead audits, reporting, and regulatory filings related to benefits and leave.
• Develop clear employee communications and train HR staff, managers, and employees.
• Promote understanding, engagement, and accessibility of programs.
• Lead, coach, and develop benefits and leave team members.
• Collaborate with Payroll, HRIS, Finance, Legal, and other HR Teams.
• Support Total Rewards and HR strategy initiatives.

Skills

Benefits & leave administration

Vendor management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership/mentoring

Compliance knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration or related field

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Position Summary The Benefits and Leave Manager is responsible for the strategic and operational management of employee benefits and leave of absence programs. This role ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations while delivering a positive employee experience. The manager serves as a subject matter expert, partnering with HR, legal, payroll, and external vendors to design, administer, and continuously improve benefits and leave programs.

Education Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field.

Licenses and Certification HR Certification (CEBS, SHRM-CP/SCP, and/or PHR/SPHR) preferred – must complete within 1 year

• Technical Experience: 5 years of progressive experience in benefits and leave administration.
• In-depth knowledge of FMLA, ADA, ACA, ERISA and state leave laws.
• Experience managing vendors and complex benefit programs.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with HRIS and benefits administration systems.
• Experience leading or mentoring a team.
• Background in compliance, audits or large/complex organizations.

Role Specific Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Manage the design, implementation, and administration of employee benefit programs, including:
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (e.g., 401(k))
• Voluntary programs
• Lead annual open enrollment, including vendor coordination, communications, system configuration, and post-enrollment audits.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits vendors, brokers, and consultants.
• Monitor benefit plan performance, utilization, and costs; recommend improvements aligned with organizational strategy.
• Ensure compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other applicable regulations.

Leave of Absence Management

• Oversee all leave of absence programs, including:
• FMLA
• State and local leaves (e.g., paid family/medical leave)
• Develop and maintain leave policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Partner with leaders and employees to ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant leave administration.
• Manage relationships with third‑party leave administrators, as applicable.
• Track leave data, trends, and compliance metrics.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure benefit and leave programs comply with federal, state, and local laws.
• Lead audits, reporting, and regulatory filings related to benefits and leave.
• Stay current on legislative and regulatory changes; assess impact and implement necessary updates.
• Collaborate with Legal and HR leadership on risk mitigation and complex employee cases.

Employee Experience & Communication

• Develop clear, effective employee communications related to benefits and leave programs.
• Provide guidance and escalation support for complex employee situations.
• Train HR staff, managers, and employees on benefits and leave policies.
• Promote understanding, engagement, and accessibility of programs.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, coach, and develop benefits and leave team members.
• Partner closely with Payroll, HRIS, Finance, Legal, and other HR Teams.
• Contribute to broader Total Rewards and HR strategy initiatives.
• Support organizational changes impacting benefits and leave programs.

Compensation (Commensurate with experience): $92664 To $145953.6

At Southern Illinois Healthcare, we realize that in order to provide our surrounding communities with excellent care, we must begin by providing our employees with that same care and appreciation.

We offer rich opportunities to develop and grow professionally, an environment of excellence in patient care, and the awareness that everything we accomplish is a direct outgrowth of the superb efforts and dedication of our employees.

Working to put the right people, exhibiting the right attitude and behaviors, in the right roles is not just a goal, but a priority of Southern Illinois Healthcare.

For the health of you and our patients, SIH and SIH Medical Group campuses are tobacco free.

For questions or more information about our openings, please email SIH Careers.

SIH is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

We are excited you are here and are proud to offer experiential learning opportunities for students at every stage of career development.

As a student at SIH, you will see first‑hand how the work we are doing supports OUR MISSION: to improve the health and well‑being of all the people in the communities we serve.

Your future is bright, and we are honored that you chose SIH to be part of your career journey.