Leave Specialist – Hybrid Chicago Loop Office

NORC at the University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Leave Specialist to join our NORC People team. In this role, you will play a critical part in supporting employees through important life events by administering leave of absence and accommodation programs while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. As a trusted resource for employees, managers, and HR Business Partners, you will guide individuals through leave requests, disability accommodations, return-to-work planning, and related programs with professionalism, empathy, and attention to detail. This is a hybrid role based in our Chicago Loop office, with a minimum of six days per month in the office. Qualified applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. We regret that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. The NORC People department supports NORC's mission and values by collaborating with research, operations, and administrative departments to recruit, develop, and retain top staff. Because NORC is a government contractor, the NORC People team plays a large role ensuring that all staff information and systems remain secure and that our organization is fully compliant with our policies. NORC People is responsible for talent acquisition, hiring, benefits administration, employee relations matters, and performance evaluation programs to ensure our organization is maintaining compliance while keeping employees’ best interests in mind.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 3 years of experience in leave administration, benefits administration, or absence management.
Experience administering FMLA, ADA accommodations, disability programs, and multi-state leave requirements.
Strong working knowledge of: FMLA, ADA, USERRA, HIPAA, COBRA, Workers' Compensation programs, Federal, state, and local leave regulations, Leave administration best practices and third-party leave administration processes.
Strong case management and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information.
Commitment to delivering exceptional employee service and support.
Experience with: Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), Leave administration and case management platforms, Microsoft Office, including Excel, Document management systems, Reporting and analytics tools.

Responsibilities

Administer and coordinate employee leave programs, including: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Paid Parental Leave, Workers' Compensation coordination, Military leave, State and local leave programs.
Serve as the primary liaison among employees, managers, Human Resources, Payroll, Benefits, Legal, healthcare providers, and third-party leave administrators.
Manage leave cases from initial request through return to work, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and documentation requirements.
Lead and coordinate the ADA interactive process, including accommodation requests, documentation review, and ongoing case management.
Facilitate return-to-work planning, including fitness-for-duty certifications, transitional work arrangements, and employee reintegration.
Partner closely with Payroll and Benefits teams to ensure accurate pay continuation, benefit administration, and leave-related payroll processing.
Monitor and manage relationships with third-party leave administration vendors, resolving complex issues and supporting process improvements.
Maintain confidential leave and medical records in accordance with privacy requirements and organizational policies.
Stay current on evolving leave legislation and recommend updates to policies, procedures, and employee communications.
Analyze leave utilization trends, prepare reports, support audits, and identify opportunities to improve processes and employee experience.

Benefits

Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment
Dental and vision insurance
A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program
Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance
Generous paid time off
Holidays
Paid parental leave
Bereavement leave
Tuition assistance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)