Benefits Analyst (Leave of Absence)

Western Governors University•Salt Lake City, UT

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Benefits Analyst provides vital support toward ensuring smooth delivery of all WGU employee benefit plans, programs, and policies. These include retirement, healthcare, wellbeing, EAP, life and disability, paid time off, leaves-of-absence, accommodations, recognition, and other ancillary benefits. Provides personal-touch customer service to WGU employees nationwide. This role operates in a high-pace, high-growth environment and demands positive passion and enthusiasm. It delivers critical strategic, administrative and transaction support within the WGU People & Talent team. Provides stewardship of processes, analysis, data reconciliations and auditing, reporting, communications, and project management critical to the design and operation of all benefit plans. Works closely with all areas of People & Talent and various other internal and external contacts. The Benefits Analyst provides vital support toward ensuring the smooth delivery of all WGU employee benefit plans, programs, and policies. These include retirement, healthcare, wellbeing, EAP, life and disability, paid time off, leave of absence, accommodations, recognition, and other ancillary benefits. Provides personal-touch customer service to WGU employees nationwide. This role operates in a high-paced, high-growth environment and demands a positive, passionate, and enthusiastic approach. It delivers critical strategic, administrative, and transaction support within the WGU People & Talent team. Provides stewardship of processes, analysis, data reconciliation and auditing, reporting, communications, and project management, all of which are critical to the design and operation of all benefit plans. Works closely with all areas of People & Talent and various other internal and external contacts. We are looking for a highly skilled Benefits Analyst with a focus on leaves and accommodations to join our team. The ideal candidate will be experienced in handling complex leave management, workplace accommodations, and benefits administration while ensuring exceptional employee experience and customer service. This highly visible role provides personal-touch customer service to WGU employees nationwide in our high-paced, high-growth environment.

Requirements

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to proactively engage with individuals at all levels, including employees, leaders, team members, and external vendors or advisors.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment, exercising influence and leadership when needed.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical information clearly and persuasively in presentations, emails, reports, and discussions.
Skilled in interpreting and applying technical and regulatory information related to HR, especially employee benefits, leaves, and accommodations.
In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with the design, management, and administration of employee benefit programs—including insurance renewals, retirement plans, vendor management, government filings, benchmarking, enrollment, auditing, training, and communications.
Solid understanding of HRIS and related systems, including cross-functional impacts with payroll and enterprise platforms.
Proficient in Microsoft Office tools and skilled in working with various data formats and systems to process transactions, analyze trends, and generate reports.
Data-driven mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to diagnose root causes, identify key drivers, and recommend actionable improvements.
Ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple time-sensitive projects in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment.
Creative and innovative thinker with the ability to apply common solutions in unique or evolving contexts.
Strong work ethic, eagerness to learn, and willingness to take on new assignments.
Commitment to team success and individual growth; actively contributes to a positive, inclusive work environment.
Bachelor’s degree OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience (1 year experience = 1 year education
2-3 years of experience specifically working with Leaves of Absence or Accommodations
Ability to manage 75+ LOA cases simultaneously
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws related to benefits
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Products
Superb written and verbal communication skills
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions

Nice To Haves

Experience in presenting to groups.
Experience in a large organization's human resources function.
HR shared service center experience.
Experience with HRIS/payroll systems.
Workday experience
Progress toward or completion of Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), or other HR-related certifications.

Responsibilities

Administer all leave of absence requests and accommodations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as company policies and procedures.
Collaborate with HR, Payroll, and other departments to effectively manage leaves and accommodations, providing timely and accurate information to employees and stakeholders.
Serve as the primary point of contact for employees seeking leave and accommodation information, providing comprehensive guidance and support.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with employees and cross-functional teams, promoting a positive employee experience and fostering collaboration.
Analyze leave and accommodation data to identify trends and provide recommendations for continuous improvement of policies and procedures.
Lead training sessions and workshops to educate employees and managers on leave and accommodation policies, rights, and responsibilities.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation of leaves and accommodations, ensuring employee privacy and data security.
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local laws related to leaves and disability accommodations, including FMLA, ADA, and multiple state-specific leave laws.