Senior Benefits Specialist & Leave Coordinator

Monmouth University is seeking applications for a Senior Benefits Specialist & Leave Coordinator in the Department of Human Resources.

Join our dynamic Human Resources team and contribute to a positive supportive and collaborative this role you will work alongside colleagues who value professionalism and teamwork. You will have opportunities to develop your skills support meaningful projects and play a part in enhancing the employee experience. If you enjoy building relationships and helping others succeed we encourage you to consider joining our team.

The Senior Benefits Specialist & Leave Coordinator supports the administration communication and compliance of employee health and welfare benefit programs and leave management processes within a higher education environment. This role serves as a primary point of contact for faculty staff and administrators regarding benefits enrollment plan provisions leave entitlements and related HR policies. The position ensures accurate documentation regulatory compliance and high-quality customer service to support the institutions mission and workforce needs.

This is an in-person on-campus non-remote position.

Application Materials Required:

Monmouth University requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted via the universitys career addition to the application candidatesmustupload the following documents. Applications willnotbe considered complete for review until all required documents are uploaded.

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Professional References

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Coordinate daily administration of employee health and welfare benefits including medical dental vision flexible spending accounts life insurance short- and long-term disability programs EAP Telehealth and retirement programs as well as ancillary benefits and COBRA administration.
• Conducts weekly new employee orientations and provides follow up to new employee inquiries; benefit presentations to special employee populations retirement and long- term disability retirement consultations and quarterly retirement seminars.
• Support annual open enrollment activities by preparing materials hosting informational sessions and assisting employees with elections.
• Participates in auditing activities on a regular basis.
• Collaborates with the enrollment and administration teams to document processes and maximize efficiencies where possible.
• Maintain accurate benefits data in the HRIS; process qualifying life events new hires terminations and plan changes.
• Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and ensure timely payment and accuracy.
• Assist employees in understanding benefit options plan provisions and eligibility guidelines.
• Coordinate with vendors brokers and carriers to resolve benefit-related issues.

Leave Management

• Serve as the primary contact for all leave programs including FMLA ADA/504 workplace accommodations sick leave parental leave workers compensation temporary disability and institution-specific leave programs.
• Review track and process leave requests; ensure compliance with federal state and institutional policies.
• Communicate leave entitlements required documentation timelines and return-to-work expectations to employees and supervisors.
• Maintain accurate and confidential leave files and tracking systems.
• Collaborate with the ADA/504 Coordinator HR leadership and supervisors to support interactive process discussions and reasonable accommodations.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure all benefits and leave processes adhere to federal state and local regulations (FMLA ADA NJLAD ERISA HIPAA COBRA ACA state leave laws).
• Prepare regular reports on benefits utilization leave trends and compliance metrics.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes affecting benefits and leave management.
• Ensure accurate and timely compliance with governing statutes and regulations including non-discrimination testing pursuant to Section 125 ACA 403(b) APBO and PCORI.
• Maintain OSHA records. Submit and post required logs and reports in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Reviews medical documentation and work-related accident reports for completeness and clarity of data to ensure compliance with policy and regulatory requirements get claim numbers and update all information on the OSHA log.
• Assist with audits accreditation reviews and compliance documentation.

Employee Support & Customer Service

• Provide high-quality assistance to employees regarding benefits leaves and HR-related inquiries.
• Conduct new-hire benefits orientations and onboarding sessions.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with employees supervisors and external stakeholders.
• Assist with developing and updating benefits and leave-related policies procedures and resources.

HR Operations Support

• Collaborate with HR colleagues on cross-functional tasks to support payroll onboarding and HRIS maintenance.
• Contribute to HR initiatives that promote employee engagement wellness and institutional culture.
• Participate in training committees and institutional events as requested.
• Manage or contribute to Human Resource projects and related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources Business Administration or related field.
• HR or benefit-related certification (e.g. SHRM-CP/SCP CEBS PHR).
• 46 years of experience in benefits administration leave coordination or related HR function.
• Knowledge of benefit plans retirement programs (including 403(b)) FMLA ADA and other regulatory requirements.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements related to health and welfare benefits including ACA HIPAA ERISA and others.
• Strong communication organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Experience using HRIS systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a higher education or unionized environment.
• Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and shared governance structures.

Required Experience:

Senior IC