Senior Benefits Analyst (LOA)

Senior Benefits Analyst

Position Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Senior Benefits Analyst to support the administration and management of company-wide Leave of Absence (LOA) programs. This individual will partner closely with third-party leave administrators, HR Business Partners, Payroll, HRIS, and Legal teams to ensure effective leave management, regulatory compliance, and a positive employee experience.

The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of leave administration, experience managing complex leave and accommodation cases, and the ability to navigate a fast-paced, multi-state environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day administration of Leave of Absence (LOA) programs, including FMLA, Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), state-specific leaves, and ADA accommodations.
• Serve as the primary point of escalation for complex leave cases, employee inquiries, and accommodation requests.
• Partner with third-party leave administrators to coordinate case management and ensure timely resolution of leave-related matters.
• Track, audit, and maintain accurate leave records within the HRIS system, ensuring proper documentation and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state leave regulations, including required notices, documentation, and filings.
• Collaborate with Payroll and HRIS teams to ensure accurate and timely employee payments during leaves of absence.
• Work cross-functionally with HR Business Partners, Legal, and People Operations to manage employee accommodations and leave-related challenges.
• Support employee benefits communications to improve awareness, understanding, and accessibility of available programs.
• Identify opportunities to streamline leave administration processes and improve the overall employee experience.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience in benefits administration, total rewards, HR operations, or a related field.
• Strong hands-on experience administering Leave of Absence programs, including FMLA, STD, LTD, ADA, and state-specific leave requirements.
• Experience managing complex leave cases and coordinating with third-party leave administrators.
• Knowledge of federal and state benefits regulations, including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, and HIPAA.
• Experience working in a multi-state organization; high-growth or large employee populations preferred.
• Strong Excel skills, including data tracking, reporting, and analysis.
• Experience with UKG or a comparable HRIS platform preferred.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• CEBS certification or similar professional credentials are a plus.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in hands-on leave administration and case management, rather than solely general benefits administration. This individual should be comfortable managing complex FMLA and ADA situations, coordinating with external leave vendors, maintaining compliance across multiple states, and partnering with internal stakeholders to resolve employee leave issues.

Experience supporting a large, multi-location workforce, particularly within retail, hospitality, restaurant, or other high-volume environments, is highly desirable.