Leave and Benefits Manager

General Summary:

The Leave and Benefits Manager will manage all employee requests for leave and reasonable accommodations in accordance with statutory regulations, collective bargaining agreements and university policy. Primary responsibility for managing the campus sick leave banks and reconciling the same. As a member of the Benefits and Human Resources team, the Manager also contributes to additional responsibilities within the realm of health insurance, retirement, and other employee benefit programs.

Examples of Duties:

• Communicates with employees regarding all types of leave requests and/or reasonable accommodation requests. Ensures that employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities and of any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave. Ensures that all requests are responded to in a timely way, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and practices.
• Provides high-touch and responsive, timely customer service in a high-volume environment.
• Handles the FMLA leave administration process from the employee's initial notice of the need for leave to the return to work. This includes gathering and completing all required documentation, determining leave eligibility, designating leave as FMLA-qualifying, requesting medical certification as needed, and accounting for intermittent leave use.
• Maintains communication with employees on leave and their managers to facilitate smooth and timely return to work; relays communication between employees and their managers during leave within reason.
• Advises managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers' compensation, Massachusetts PFML and other benefits, and oversees campus administration of the same.
• Drafts and/or recommends revisions to University leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices.
• Works closely with Human Resources Data Group in entering leave status updates and applying paid time off in the HR information management system as appropriate for employees on approved leaves. ;
• Vigilantly maintains confidentiality of employee documentation and files in accordance with applicable regulations, and ensure that all communications regarding medical information are handled in a compliant manner.
• Works in a highly collaborative way with other HR team members, including HR Generalists, Payroll and Data Group and Administrative Support Staff to ensure that the highest quality of customer service is delivered to all constituents in a timely and empathetic manner.
• Maintains knowledge of all applicable leave and accommodation laws including the FMLA, ADA, and state and local laws.
• Coordinates the administration of the Worker's Compensation program for the university; processes the intake of all worker's compensation documentation, including injury reports and details, witness reports and other pertinent documentation and monitors the need for additional forms and physician reports.
• Collaborates with benefits team and other HR staff on a variety of departmental initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible relevant experience required. Ability to meet with employees in person and virtually as needed to accomplish goals. Work in the office on campus required three days per week; remote work is permitted up to two days per week, to be scheduled in consultation with department management.

Preferred Qualifications

• SHRM-CP, SPHR and/or CEBS certification a plus.
• Knowledge of various software applications, including Microsoft Office;
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret bargaining unit contracts as they pertain to various types of leaves and employee benefits;
• Ability to explain the procedures, guidelines and policies governing benefits and leave administration;
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide range of constituencies, including students, peers and faculty;
• Ability to maintain confidential matters and respond to written, telephone and direct walk-in inquiries;
• Ability to initiative and follow through on projects and special assignments;
• Ability to work effectively, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and adjust to changing office priorities and deadlines;
• Ability to prioritize work and track status/completion of tasks;
• Ability to work in a team environment;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal, organizational and problem solving skills;
• Completion of specialized certification or training on FMLA/leave administration a plus.

Those who do not meet the minimum qualifications, but who possess a bachelor's degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience may be considered for a Leave and Benefits Administrator role.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

This is a non-union exempt position.

UMass Boston requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to confirm proof of their vaccination status. Exemptions from the vaccine requirement will be permitted only for qualifying religious or medical reasons.