Strategic Benefits & Leave Manager

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

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.