AbsenceTitle: HR Generalist Benefits & Leave of Absence
Location: Remote, CA (Resource can sit fully remote for this role.) Seeking a stellar candidate in the Benefits and LOA space.
Duration: 12+ months - extendable
Pay Rate - $50.50 - $55.50/hr W2 all-inclusive
Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented HR Generalist specializing in Benefits and Leave of absence management to join our human resources team. In this vital role, you will champion employee benefits programs, oversee leave policies, ensure legal compliance, and support HR systems to foster a positive and compliant workplace environment. Your expertise will help streamline benefits administration, enhance employee relations, and uphold our commitment to employee well-being and legal adherence.
Job Information
Job Title: HR Generalist Benefits & Leave of Absence
Job Description:
The client is a financial technology platform committed to expanding access to modern banking and money movement for everyday Americans. Founded in 1999, Client has served more than 30 million customers and operates a nationwide network of 100,000+ retail distribution locations. Our client operates across consumer, B2B, and B2B2C business lines and is currently undergoing a period of transformation under private equity ownership.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Client is seeking an experienced HR Generalist with deep expertise in Benefits Administration and Leave of Absence (LOA) management to support our employees through a period of organizational transformation and growth. This role will serve as the primary HR resource for complex benefits, disability, accommodation, and leave-related matters while ensuring a compliant, efficient, and employee-centric experience.
This engagement is designed to build long-term organizational capability. The successful candidate will act as a subject matter expert (SME), establish scalable processes and documentation, and train internal HR team members to become future Benefits and LOA expert.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Benefits Administration
- Serve as a primary resource for employee benefits inquiries, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, retirement, COBRA, wellness, and voluntary benefit programs.
- Support qualified life events, enrollment changes, benefits escalations, and complex employee benefit issues.
- Partner with benefits vendors, carriers, and internal stakeholders to resolve issues and enhance the employee experience.
- Ensure accurate benefits transactions and data integrity within HR systems.
- Assist with annual open enrollment planning, execution, and employee education initiatives.
Leave of Absence & ADA Administration
- Manage employee leave and accommodation cases, including FMLA, ADA, STD, LTD, parental bonding leave, personal leave, military leave, and state-specific leave programs.
- Serve as the primary HR liaison for employees, managers, and vendors throughout the leave lifecycle.
- Partner with Legal, Payroll, and Total Rewards teams to ensure regulatory compliance and effective administration.
- Provide guidance to leaders on complex leave, accommodation, and return-to-work situations.
- Coordinate documentation, communications, and employee case management activities.
- Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Evaluate existing benefits and LOA processes and identify opportunities for increased efficiency, accuracy, and employee satisfaction.
- Develop and maintain SOPs, workflows, decision trees, manager guides, employee FAQs, and process documentation.
- Establish operational metrics and reporting to improve service delivery and compliance.
- Partner with HR Technology & Operations to optimize system functionality and reporting capabilities.
- Knowledge Transfer & Internal Capability Building
- Serve as client's internal subject matter expert for Benefits Administration and Leave Management.
- Develop structured training materials and reference guides.
- Mentor and train a designated internal HR employee to become the organization's future Benefits and LOA SME.
- Lead hands-on coaching sessions using real-world employee cases and scenarios.
- Create a comprehensive transition plan to ensure sustainable ownership after the engagement concludes.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
- 5+ years of progressive HR experience.
- 3+ years of dedicated Benefits Administration and/or Leave of Absence experience.
- Strong working knowledge of: FMLA; ADA and the interactive accommodation process; STD/LTD administration; COBRA; ERISA; HIPAA; Multi-state leave laws and regulations.
Experience partnering with third-party leave administrators, disability carriers, and benefits vendors.
Experience working in HRIS platforms such as Workday, Paycom, or similar systems.
Strong communication, consultation, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage sensitive employee situations with professionalism, empathy, and confidentiality.
Preferred
- Experience supporting a geographically dispersed workforce.
- Experience in financial services, fintech, or highly regulated industries.
- Experience creating HR process documentation, training materials, and operational procedures.
- Demonstrated success in knowledge transfer, coaching, and capability-building initiatives.
- WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE AFTER 6 MONTHS
- The successful contractor will:
- Be recognized as a trusted operational leader for Benefits and Leave Administration.
- Successfully manage complex benefits, leave, accommodation, and disability cases with strong compliance and employee satisfaction.
- Significantly reduce escalations through proactive case management and strong vendor partnerships.
- Create comprehensive SOPs, workflows, templates, and job aids covering all key benefits and leave processes.
- Deliver structured training and ongoing mentorship to HR team members.
- Enable the designated employee to independently handle routine and moderately complex benefits and LOA matters.
- Implement process improvements that increase efficiency, improve employee experience, and reduce operational risk.
- Complete a successful transition plan that leaves Client with sustainable internal expertise and operational continuity.
- WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
This engagement is critical to ensuring our client maintains exceptional employee support while strengthening internal capabilities. The ideal candidate is more than an operator they are a builder, coach, and trusted advisor who can leave the organization stronger than they found it
Pay: $50.50 - $55.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: Remote
