Benefits & Leave Analyst

Crate and Barrel•Northbrook, IL

31d•Hybrid

About The Position

We inspire purpose-filled living that brings beauty and quality to the modern home. Together, we achieve. Associates across our business drive results, innovate, and inspire. Drawn together by our shared values and passion for our customers and our brands, we deliver home furnishings that are expertly designed, responsibly sourced, and bring timeless style and function to people's homes. From the day we opened our first store in Chicago in 1962 to the digital innovations that engage millions of customers today, our iconic brand is over 60 years in the making-and our story is still unfolding. We're here for it. We think you should be too. We're looking for a driven professional with an inclusive mindset to join our team as a Benefits & Leave Analyst. The Benefits & Leave Analyst is responsible for the accurate, compliant, and efficient administration of employee benefits and leave programs across the U.S. and Canada. This role administers health and welfare benefits, manages complex leave cases, partners with internal and external stakeholders, and conducts analytical reporting to support strategic decision-making. Experience using Workday is required. This is an on-site position (Monday through Thursday) based out of our Northbrook, IL offices with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays.

Requirements

Prior experience with annual benefit compliance reporting related to ACA/1095-C, PCORI, 5500, Non-discrimination testing, and Retirement audit.
Strong working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, USERRA, and state/provincial leave laws.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to explain complex information clearly.
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Empathetic approach with a commitment to delivering a positive associate experience.
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
Ability to analyze benefit and leave trends and recommend operational improvements.
Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
Minimum 2-3 years of relevant experience in benefits and leave management, preferably in a multijurisdictional (U.S. and Canada) environment.
Experience with Workday or equivalent HCM systems.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with ADA accommodations and managing the interactive process strongly preferred.
Experience with third-party leave administrators preferred.
Spanish/English bilingual skills strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as Tier 2 support for benefits escalations, ensuring accurate eligibility, election submissions, and payroll deductions.
Administer benefit programs across the U.S. and Canada.
Conduct regular audits of benefit data to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Process benefit tasks in Workday and partner with HRIS to maintain data integrity within the system.
Coordinate with payroll in addressing and recouping missed benefit premiums.
Support annual legislative reporting processes for ACA/1095-C, 5500 filing, Non-discrimination testing, and Retirement Plan audit.
Submit quarterly filing of Canadian T-10 retirement plan forms.
Partner with various benefit carriers to correct data discrepancies and resolve associate issues.
Manage end-to-end administration of leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, STD/LTD, state/provincial leaves, and Canadian leave programs.
Serve as the main point of contact for associates on leave, providing guidance on rights, responsibilities, eligibility, and return to work expectations.
Interpret and apply applicable laws (FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, provincial rules) to ensure compliant case handling.
Partner with third-party administrators to ensure timely, accurate case management and employee communication.
Collaborate with Payroll on pay coordination related to PTO, STD, and LTD.
Support ADA interactive process in partnership with HRBPs, Legal, and managers.
Maintain and update leave data in Workday; ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
Perform detailed modeling, trend analysis, and cost analysis.
Prepare regular and ad hoc reports identifying trends and performance indicators.
Participate in benchmarking efforts and industry surveys.
Reconcile benefit invoices and coordinate general ledger reporting with Finance.
Support the planning and execution of annual open enrollment.
Assist in developing benefits communications, FAQs, guides, and presentations.
Provide training and guidance to employees, leaders, and HR.