Employee Services & Leave Specialist

DLR Group•Minneapolis, MN

7d•$70,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

DLR Group is an integrated design firm with a promise to elevate the human experience through design. This fuels the work we do around the world and inspires our mission to improve the lives of our clients, our communities, and our planet. Our Human Resources team has an opening for an Employee Services & Leave Specialist in our Minneapolis office. At DLR Group, we believe people do their best work when they feel supported. As an Employee Services & Leave Specialist, you will play a key role in helping employees navigate important life and career moments, including leaves of absence, workplace accommodations, life event changes, and employee service requests. You will partner closely with employees, managers, HR Partners, Payroll, Total Rewards, and external vendors to provide exceptional support, ensure compliance with applicable regulations and company policies, and continuously improve the employee experience. Serving as a subject matter expert for leave administration and employee service processes, you will help deliver timely, accurate, and compassionate support throughout the employee lifecycle. This role is ideal for someone who combines strong customer service skills with a passion for helping others, a keen attention to detail, and a desire to make a meaningful impact on the employee experience. If you enjoy solving problems, building relationships, and guiding employees through complex situations with empathy and professionalism, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
5 years of progressive HR experience, inclusive of 2+ years of experience supporting leave administration, employee benefits, and employee services
Working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA, state leave laws, and other applicable employment regulations
Experience partnering with third-party leave administrators and benefits vendors
Strong customer service mindset with a commitment to delivering a positive employee experience
Intermediate working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Excel
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate complex employee situations with empathy and sound judgment
Must be eligible to work in the United States without need for work visa or residency sponsorship

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting workplace accommodations and employee life event administration
Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, CEBS, or similar
Experience working with Dayforce, ADP, and third-party vendor leave of absence employer portal
Demonstrated success identifying and implementing process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and employee experience
Experience in the A/E/C industry
Experience in a matrixed, multi-location organization

Responsibilities

Administer leave of absence programs including FMLA, parental leave, military leave, personal leave, ADA accommodations, and state and local leave programs.
Guide employees, managers, and stakeholders through leave and accommodation processes from initiation through return to work.
Coordinate with HR, Payroll, Benefits, and third-party administrators to ensure seamless leave administration.
Review and manage required documentation, certifications, approvals, and employee records.
Support employee life events including birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, death, and dependent changes.
Respond to employee inquiries through HR service channels, providing timely and accurate support, in partnership with HR Partners and centers of excellence.
Manage employment verification requests and employee documentation requests.
Support employee status changes, onboarding, offboarding, and other employee transactions.
Maintain employee records in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
Assist with audits, reporting, and compliance-related activities.
Develop and maintain employee-facing resources, guides, and process documentation.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, service delivery, and the overall employee experience.