Benefits and Leave Program Manager
We are seeking an experienced Benefits and Leave Program Manager to join our HR team and help create a workplace where employees feel supported, informed, and empowered—so they can put Students First. This role serves as the program manager and owner for all benefits and leave programs, leading the day-to-day administration and strategic oversight of health and welfare benefits, retirement, and leave of absence programs.
Grounded in Collaboration, this role partners across HR, payroll, and vendors to deliver a seamless, employee-centered benefits experience. With Courage and Determination, the Benefits and Leave Administrator navigates complex compliance requirements, solves challenges creatively, and drives continuous improvement. And because we believe work should include Fun, this role brings curiosity, optimism, and a people-first mindset to making benefits approachable and engaging.
What you will do
- Administer the Company’s employee benefit programs, 401(k) retirement plan, and managing all aspects of employee leave of absence processes.
- Serve as the primary subject matter expert for benefits, retirement, and leaves of absence—handling complex, escalated issues.
- Manage new hire benefits enrollment and annual open enrollment processes.
- Conduct benefits orientations and create educational materials to help employees understand available programs.
- Provide expert consultation to the HR team in answering employee questions regarding benefits eligibility, coverage, claims, and plan provisions.
- Monthly audit and reconciliation of benefits invoices to ensure accurate payroll deductions and enrollments.
- Maintain accurate benefits data in HRIS systems.
- Coordinate with benefits brokers and carriers to expeditiously resolve issues and implement program changes.
- Administer all employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, short-term disability, long-term disability, and state-specific leave programs; coordinate with Safety and Workers’ Compensation Supervisor on all workers’ comp-related leaves.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local leave laws and company policies.
- Track leave usage and maintain accurate documentation.
- Communicate with employees and managers regarding leave eligibility, requirements, and return-to-work processes.
- Provide expert consultation with HR team on conducting interactive process and reasonable accommodations under ADA.
- Ensure benefits and leave practices comply with applicable laws and regulations (FMLA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, ACA, etc.)
- Prepare and submit required reporting such as ACA filings, census reports, and audits.
- Maintain confidentiality of employee information and documentation.
- Identify opportunities to improve benefits and leave processes and employee experience.
- Support M&A activity, including benefits comparison/harmonization, and integration.
- Other duties as assigned.
What you need
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred, or equivalent relevant work experience.
- 5+ years’ senior-level experience in benefits, administration, 401(k) administration.
- 5+ years’ experience administering FMLA, ADA, and statutory leave programs.
- 3+ years’ Workday Benefits administration required.
- Strong compliance and program management background.
- Deep knowledge of benefit programs and employment laws related to benefits and leaves.
- Multi-state, multi-entity, and multi-plan experience strongly preferred.
- Acquisition/integration experience strongly preferred.
Location
- Denver preferred; open to remote for exceptional talent.
Supervisory Requirements
Compensation: $85,000 - $100,000 annually.
The salary range represents the national average compensation for this position. The base salary offered will vary based on location, experience, skills, and knowledge of the selected incumbent. The pay range does not reflect the total compensation package which may include annual discretionary bonus, flexible work arrangements, health and welfare benefits, and more.
