Benefits and Leave Specialist in Seattle, Washington at Olson Kundig

The ​​​Benefits and Leave Specialist is​​​ responsible for managing and administering employee benefit programs—including health & wellness, 401(k), and time off and leave of absence—while supporting People Operations through accurate lifecycle data management and ensuring compliance with applicable policies and regulations. To succeed in this role, you should be an ​adaptable self-starter who can prioritize and complete multiple projects and tasks with little guidance in a creative and dynamic environment​. This role will collaborate with ​internal teams​ to deliver exceptional results within specified deadlines.

Primary Responsibilities:

​​​Health and Financial Benefits​​:

• Manage day-to-day benefits administration, ensuring accurate employee data and vendor service delivery. Serve as an escalation point for complex employee benefits inquiries.

• Oversee annual compliance requirements, including ACA reporting and required filings.

• Administer the 401(k) program, including vendor coordination and employee education.

• Lead the annual open enrollment process, including planning, system updates, employee communications, and vendor coordination.

• Partner with benefits consultants on renewals, vendor changes, audits, and compliance across all benefit programs.

• Reconcile benefit invoices and enrollment records monthly.

• Develop, maintain, and update benefits procedures and related HR policies to ensure consistent administration.

• Analyze benefits utilization, costs, and trends to identify cost savings and improvement opportunities.

• Communicate benefits programs through presentations, written materials, and employee communication.

​​Leave of Absence and Alternative Work Arrangements​​:

• ​​Responsible for processing leave requests and determining eligibility for FMLA and state leaves​.

• ​​Track leave usage, and coordinate with payroll to ensure accurate coding. ​

• Assist with employee accommodations and employee relations.

​​People Operations​:

• Owns the accuracy and integrity of employee lifecycle data, partnering with HR and Payroll to administer all transactions across the full employee journey (hire to exit).

• ​​Establishes and executes regular audit processes to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance of all HRIS data.​

• Facilitates performance review processes by capturing and maintaining documentation, ensuring alignment with HRIS records and lifecycle tracking.

Additional duties and projects:

• Support the development and maintenance of company HR policies. Assist leadership with communicating HR policies, procedures, programs, and applicable laws.

• Evaluate and implement improvements to HR processes, administrative efficiency, and policy development.

• Participate in cross-functional or organizational committees as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• ​​Knowledge of relevant labor laws and regulations, such as FMLA, State Leave laws, and ADA. ​

• Strong Compliance & Regulatory Knowledge, ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA and IRS rules affecting benefit plan design.

• ​​Knowledge of approaches to structuring and delivering HR services to support operational and organizational success​.

Skills:

• ​​Able to convey information clearly and empathetically, both verbally and in writing, to resolve issues, provide feedback, and build rapport with employees and colleagues from diverse backgrounds​.

• The ability to analyze data, navigate complex situations, identify trends, consider multiple perspectives, and derive insights is essential for evaluating project feasibility, anticipating risks, developing solutions, and implementing effective strategies.

• ​​Able to address complex challenges with creative problem-solving, analytical thinking, and present effective solutions and recommendations for unique situations. ​

Abilities:

• ​​Able to support team members through empathetic communication, effectively handling sensitive situations.​

• ​​Able to contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment while demonstrating adaptability to shifting priorities and openness to new ideas​.

Qualifications

Must Have:

• Education: ​​Bachelor's​​ degree in ​Human Resources​ or closely related field.

• Experience: Minimum ​five (5)​ years of demonstrated experience administering complex benefits and leave processes accurately and independently.

• Demonstrated competency in understanding of relevant employment laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA HIPAA, COBRA. 

• Experience working with benefits and leave data, enrollment and invoice audits, and system integrations.

Digital Literacy:

• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in understanding and skills with MS 360 Office Suite and tools

• Experience working with an HRIS or benefits administration platform, with the ability to navigate, maintain, and troubleshoot employee data and workflows

• Advance proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools, preferred.

Nice to Have:

• SHRM, PHR, GPHR, and/or CLMS certification.

• Experience managing or supporting 401(k) plans, including the annual audit process.

• Experience using Paylocity HRIS or Bswift Benefits

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Environment type: Office

• Ability to work under tight deadlines for completion of projects

• ​​Ability to sit/stand for long periods working at a computer

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and must already possess long-term work authorization.