HR Benefits Specialist (Leaves)

Are you ready to make a profound impact on employee well-being and organizational resilience? We are seeking a dedicated professional to champion essential support systems, guiding employees through critical life moments with empathy, expertise, and precision. In this role, you will be the vital link that ensures peace of mind for a diverse workforce, directly influencing the employee experience and driving operational excellence for an industry leader.

About Our Client and Aquent

Aquent has partnered with a prominent and highly respected leader in the financial services industry to find top-tier talent for this crucial position. Our client is dedicated to empowering individuals and institutions to achieve their goals through innovation, integrity, and exceptional service. By joining forces with Aquent and our client, you will become part of a collaborative, supportive community that deeply values employee well-being, professional growth, and operational excellence.

About the Role: Driving Employee Well-being and Compliance

Step into a pivotal position where your deep expertise in leave of absence administration and accommodations will directly support a large, dynamic workforce. You will be at the forefront of managing essential programs, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations, and providing compassionate, expert guidance to employees and leaders during critical times. This is an exciting opportunity to leverage your communication skills and regulatory knowledge in a high-volume, fast-paced environment, making a meaningful difference in employee satisfaction and organizational success every day.

What You'll Do

• Manage and administer comprehensive disability, leave of absence (continuous and intermittent), return-to-work, ADA, and extended medical leave programs in strict compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
• Serve as the primary liaison and partner with third-party disability and leave of absence vendors, facilitating seamless and empathetic communication between vendors and employees.
• Ensure the seamless integration of vendor FMLA administration with short-term disability plans to optimize efficiency and maintain compliance.
• Interpret complex HR policies and evolving legislative developments to ensure all programs remain compliant and up to date.
• Resolve escalated inquiries and complex cases from employees, managers, vendors, and internal support centers, providing expert guidance and proactive solutions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Legal, HR management, and external partners to address and resolve highly sensitive, time-critical issues.

What You'll Bring

• 5+ years of dedicated experience administering leave of absence, return-to-work programs, ADA accommodations, extended medical leave, and short- and long-term disability.
• Proven success operating within a high-volume, fast-paced environment with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities effectively.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to interact compassionately and effectively with all levels of employees and leadership.
• A strong, practical background in ADA regulations and the accommodations interactive process.
• Direct experience collaborating with third-party disability and leave of absence administrators.
• Outstanding organizational and time-management skills, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality work on schedule.
• A proactive problem-solver who can identify root causes of complex issues and suggest innovative solutions to management.
• An agile learner who adapts quickly to new processes and proactively identifies opportunities to streamline workflows.
• A Bachelor's degree in human resources, business management, or a related field is preferred; equivalent professional work experience will also be highly valued.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Familiarity with enterprise HR systems, particularly hands-on experience with Workday and ServiceNow.