Senior Benefits Specialist
Chicago, IL - USA
Job Summary
Are you ready to make an impact
West Monroe is seeking a full-time Senior Benefits & Leave Specialist to join ourShared Services function. Reporting to the Manager of HR Operations the ideal candidate will be able to work in afast-pacedenvironment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Our next Senior Benefits & Leave Specialist will be responsible for applying business knowledge and human resources expertise. They will assist in providing a wide range of HR support and advice and will work within the team to support the needs and priorities of the business and drive proactive strategic forward-thinking solutions to employee and organizational issues.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Administer and manage complex leave of absence cases from intake through resolution including FMLA ADA state and local leave laws workers compensation coordination parental leave personal leave and military leave.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on federal state and local leave regulations ensuring compliance with all applicable laws company policies and internal procedures.
- Provide guidance and consultation to employees managers HR Business Partners and leadership regarding leave processes accommodations return-to-work requirements and policy interpretation.
- Independently manage high-risk escalated or sensitive employee leave and accommodation cases requiring advanced judgment discretion and problem-solving.
- Coordinate and facilitate the interactive process for accommodation requests in partnership with HR Legal managers and external vendors as appropriate.
- Review medical documentation and certifications to determine leave eligibility accommodation needs and return-to-work readiness while maintaining confidentiality and compliance standards.
- Partner closely with third-party administrators payroll benefits and HR teams to ensure accurate leave administration timely communication and seamless employee support.
- Monitor leave case timelines documentation and approvals to ensure adherence to service level expectations and regulatory deadlines.
- Identify trends risks and process improvement opportunities related to leave administration and employee accommodations; recommend and implement solutions to enhance efficiency and employee experience.
- Configure maintain and optimize Workday leave and accommodation workflows business processes notifications approvals and reporting.
- Partner with HRIS and technology teams to troubleshoot system issues improve automation and enhance employee and manager self-service experiences.
- Identify opportunities to streamline leave administration processes through Workday enhancements and workflow optimization
- Support audits reporting and compliance reviews by maintaining accurate and complete case documentation and records.
- Lead and facilitate the ADA interactive process including assessment of accommodation requests collaboration with managers and HR partners and evaluation of reasonable accommodation options.
- Provide consultative guidance to leaders on accommodation-related employee relations risks and compliance considerations.
- Assist in developing updating and communicating leave policies procedures templates and training materials.
- Develop and analyze leave and accommodation metrics trends and dashboards to identify operational risks improve employee experience and support strategic decision-making.
- Mentor and provide guidance to junior leave specialists and team members serving as a resource for complex case consultation and best practices.
- Participate in cross-functional projects system implementations and process enhancement initiatives related to leave management and employee experience.
- Deliver a high-touch empathetic employee experience by guiding employees through sensitive leave and accommodation situations with professionalism compassion and responsiveness.
- Maintain a high level of professionalism empathy and confidentiality when supporting employees through sensitive or complex situations.
- Day-to-day administration of health and welfare plans and support of related wellness programs
- Employee H.S.A. audit and management including partnering with payroll to ensure accurate payroll processing and reporting.
- Holding meetings to discuss the details of a benefits program with employees and orientating new employees in terms of benefits.
- Develop communications to explain changes in benefits to employees and answering employee queries about benefits policies.
- Ensure accuracy of all new benefits enrollments for US Costa Rica and UK including enrollments related to life events.
- Provide employees and managers with an available first point of contact for questions and guidance on fundamental HR topics and issues including regular monitoring of the HR Service now Benefits and Generalist groups.
Requirements:
- Strong working knowledge of federal state and local leave laws and regulations including FMLA ADA PWFA workers compensation and paid family/medical leave programs.
- Experience administering leave and accommodation programs across multiple states with varying regulatory requirements strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex and escalated leave and accommodation cases with a high level of accuracy professionalism and confidentiality.
- Deep expertise in leave administration accommodations benefits coordination and employment compliance required.
- Direct experience partnering with or administering leave programs through New York Life preferred including familiarity with vendor case management processes and escalations.
- Strong experience utilizing Workday HRIS including leave administration workflows reporting case tracking and employee data management.
- Experience leveraging HR technologies
- Proficient in Microsoft Office tools with advanced excel skills
- Prior knowledge of principles and practices of human resources
- Demonstrable experience with or knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations with regard to the processing of health and retirement benefits.
- Experience in managing leave of absence time-off and workers compensation programs.
- In-depth understanding of state and local laws governing leave such as ERISA HIPAA COBRA and FMLA to ensure compliance.
- Strong oral and written communication skills including the ability to present influence and collaborate
- Strong analytical organizational and interpersonal skills with the capability to prioritize tasks and work quickly and accurately with minimal supervision
- Demonstrated ability to drive HR processes and to deliver high quality HR services in a fast paced high change environment
- Strong skills at building relationships with various levels in an organization
- Strong facilitation influencing and conflict resolution skill
- A commitment to inclusion and diversity and openness to new ideas and perspectives
Education/Training/Experience:
- Bachelors degree (or equivalent) in Human Resources business or related field strongly preferred
- A minimum of (5) or more years of experience in Human Resources preferably in a professional services or management consulting firm
Based on pay transparency guidelines the salaryrange for this role canvary based on your proximity to one of our West Monroe offices (seetable below). Information on our competitive total rewards packageincluding our bonus structure and benefits ishere. Individual salaries are determined by evaluating a variety of factors including geographyexperience skills education and internal equity.
Employees (and their families) are covered by medical dental vision and basic life insurance. Employeesare able toenroll in our companys 401k planpurchase shares from our employee stock ownership program and be eligible toreceive annual bonuses. Employees will also receive unlimited flexible time offand ten paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Eligibility for ten weeks of paid parental leave will also be available upon hire date.
Seattle or Washington D.C.
$90200 - $106100 USD
Los Angeles
$94500 - $111100 USD
New York City or San Francisco
$98800 - $116200 USD
A location not listed above
$85900 - $101100 USD
At West Monroe we work with you.
Were a global business and technology consulting firm passionate about creating measurable value for our clients delivering real-world solutions.
The combination of business and technology is not new but how we bring them together is unique. Were fluent in both. We know that technology alone is not the answer but how we apply it is. We rely on data to constantly adapt and solve new challenges. Actions that work today with outcomes that generate value for years to come.
At West Monroe we zero in on the heart of the opportunity getting to results faster and preparing people for whats next.
Youll feel the difference in how we work. We show up personally. Were right there in the room with you co-creating through the challenges. With West Monroe collaboration isnt a lofty promise but a daily action. We work together with you to turn vision into clear action with lasting impact.
West Monroeis an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
We believe in treating each employee and applicant for employment fairly and with dignity. We base our employment decisions on merit experience and potential without regard to race color national origin sex sexual orientation gender identity marital status age religion disability veteran status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal state or local law. To learn more about diversity equity and inclusion at West Monroe visit If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in our recruiting process please inquire by sending an email to .
Please review our current policy regarding use of generative artificial intelligence during the application process.
If you are based in California we encourage you to read West Monroes Notice at Collection for California residents provided pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and linkedhere.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
About Company
Other consultancies talk at you. At West Monroe, we work with you. We’re a global business and technology consulting firm passionate about creating measurable value for our clients, delivering real-world solutions. The combination of business and technology is not new, but how we brin ... View more