Benefits and Leave Specialist

Summary

The Benefits & Leave Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day administration, analysis, and support of James Hardie employee benefits with an additional focus on leave of absence programs. This role serves as a key resource for employees, managers, HR Business Partners, Payroll, and external vendors by providing exceptional customer service, ensuring regulatory compliance, resolving complex benefit and leave issues, and supporting continuous process improvement initiatives. This role reports to the Benefits Director and is based at the Chicago corporate office. 

What You’ll Do:

Leave of Absence & Accommodation Administration

• Support leave of absence cases from intake through return-to-work, including routine and complex situations.
• Administer and support FMLA, ADA, PWFA, USERRA, workers’ compensation coordination, state paid leave programs, disability leaves, personal leaves, and company-provided leave programs.
• May review leave requests and supporting documentation to determine eligibility and applicable protections.
• Track leave usage, certification requirements, recertifications, extensions, return-to-work documentation, and applicable deadlines.
• Serve as the primary internal contact for employees, managers, and HR Business Partners throughout the leave and accommodation process.
• Coordinate with third-party leave administrators to ensure timely and accurate case management.
• Facilitate the interactive accommodation process and partner with employees, managers, HR, Legal, and healthcare providers to identify reasonable accommodations.
• Maintain confidential leave and accommodation records while ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate return-to-work processes and support successful employee transitions following leave.
• Escalate complex, high-risk, or sensitive cases as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws governing employee benefits, leave administration, disability programs, and workplace accommodations.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and assist with implementation of policy and process updates.
• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, regulatory reporting, and documentation requirements.
• Analyze benefits and leave trends, identify operational risks, and recommend process improvements.
• Participate in system implementations, enhancements, integrations, testing, and vendor performance reviews.
• Develop employee-facing communications, training materials, FAQs, and process documentation.
• Identify opportunities for automation, improved controls, and enhanced employee experience.

Benefits Administration

• Assist with the administration of James Hardie employee benefit programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, HSA/FSA, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, COBRA, and retirement plans.

• Support annual Open Enrollment activities, including system configuration, testing, communications, employee education, and enrollment processing.
• Working closely with the Third-Party Administrator, resolve escalated employee benefit issues pertaining to benefit enrollments and employee contributions and ensure accurate administration of life events and benefit elections.
• Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and work with vendors to resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare and distribute recurring and ad hoc reports related to benefits administration, plan participation, compliance, and operational metrics.
• May support administration of retirement programs, including funding activities, employee education, and vendor coordination.
• Maintain benefit plan documentation, procedures and employee communications.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 3-5 years of progressive experience in benefits administration
• Strong understanding of benefits and leave regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems (SuccessFactors, ADP, UKG) and benefits platforms (WEX).
• Exceptional organizational and administrative skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to service excellence.

What You’ll Receive:

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $70,800K to $88,500K. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.

At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.

• Compensation: competitive salary and bonus eligibility
• Insurance: day-one health coverage medical, dental, vision, life insurance
• Paid Time Off: vacation and company holidays
• Retirement: 401(k) with 6% match
• Investments: Employee Stock Purchase plan (ESP)
• Work-Life Balance: parental leave, wellness programs
• Purpose. Impact. Community: Sustainability Initiatives | James Hardie