HR Benefits Specialist (Leaves)

Are you ready to make a significant impact by ensuring critical support systems are seamlessly managed for a dynamic organization? Aquent is seeking a dedicated professional to join a leading financial services company, where your expertise will directly contribute to the well-being and productivity of its workforce. This role offers a unique opportunity to navigate complex regulations and provide essential guidance, directly influencing employee experience and operational efficiency.

About Our Client

Our client is a prominent and respected leader in the financial services industry, committed to empowering individuals and institutions to achieve their financial goals. With a focus on innovation, client satisfaction, and employee support, they foster an environment where talent thrives and contributions are valued. Joining their team means becoming part of a culture that prioritizes integrity, excellence, and a supportive community for all.

About the Role: Driving Employee Well-being and Compliance

Step into a pivotal role where your expertise in leave of absence and accommodations will be crucial in supporting a large and diverse employee base. You will be at the forefront of managing essential programs, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations, and providing compassionate, expert guidance to employees and leaders alike. This is an exciting opportunity to leverage your communication skills and in-depth knowledge in a high-volume environment, directly impacting employee satisfaction and organizational success. Your contributions will ensure that our client maintains its commitment to a supportive and compliant workplace.

What You'll Do

• Manage and administer disability, leave of absence (continuous or intermittent), return to work, ADA, and extended medical leave programs, ensuring strict adherence to Local, State, and Federal laws.
• Serve as a key liaison, partnering closely with disability and leave of absence vendors, and facilitating seamless communication between vendors and employees.
• Ensure the proper integration of vendor FMLA administration with short-term disability plans, optimizing efficiency and compliance.
• Interpret complex HR policies and legislative developments to maintain compliance across all programs.
• Respond to and resolve escalated inquiries and complex cases from employees, managers, vendors, and internal/external call centers, providing expert guidance and solutions.
• Collaborate with Legal, HR management, internal corporate functions, and external vendors to address and resolve complex and time-sensitive issues effectively.

Must-Have Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in leave of absence, return to work programs, ADA, extended medical leave programs, short-term disability, and long-term disability administration.
• Proven experience working within a high-volume environment, demonstrating the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees and leadership.
• Strong background in ADA and accommodations, including practical application and compliance.
• Experience working with third-party disability and leave of absence administrators.
• Demonstrated ability to execute high-quality work on time and manage multiple tasks with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Adept at identifying the root cause of issues and proactively suggesting solutions to management.
• Ability to learn new processes quickly and identify opportunities to streamline and improve existing practices.
• A Bachelor's degree in human resources, management, or a related discipline is preferred; equivalent work experience will be considered.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Familiarity with HR Systems, particularly experience with Workday and ServiceNow.