Manager, Leave Administration, Retirement, and Wellness Programs - Remote

Velera

22h•$105,600 - $134,600•Remote

About The Position

Join the People Helping People Velera is the nation’s premier payments credit union service organization (CUSO) and an integrated fintech solutions provider. The company serves more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout North America, operating with velocity to help our clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change and fuel growth in the new era of financial services. Our purpose: We accelerate partners’ success through innovative financial technology solutions and inspired service. The Opportunity: The Manager, Leave Administration, Retirement, and Wellness Programs oversees the day‑to-day operations of the company’s leave administration functions and employee wellness programs. This role reports to the Vice President of Benefits, Leaves, and Wellness and is responsible for developing and managing a team of 2-3 reports while ensuring effective administration of leave programs, retirement and financial plans and programs, paid time off plans, wellness initiatives, and related employee support programs. Day in the Life: Oversee and lead the end-to-end administration of all leave programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, state-paid leaves, disabilities, military, worker’s compensation coordination, and company leaves ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Manage high-volume leave operations, ensuring SLAs and turnaround time are consistently met and escalated leave inquiries are handled fairly and quickly. Serve as the primary escalation point for complex, high-risk, or sensitive leave and accommodation cases. Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing leadership, creative direction, and project management for the design, implementation, and administration of an integrated wellness strategy that enhances employee well‑being and drives meaningful engagement. Provide oversight of the 401(k) retirement plan by ensuring regulatory compliance, coordinating and preparing for retirement plan committee meetings, audits, and managing day‑to-day administrative activities in collaboration with plan advisors and service providers. Ensure compliance with all the applicable federal and state regulations including FMLA, ADA, ERISA, HIPAA, and related reporting and documentation requirement. Oversee third-party administrators and vendors supporting leave, disability, retirement, wellness, and employee assistance programs. Lead other financial benefit programs such as Workplace Giving/Match program, tuition reimbursement, financial education and advisor programs, etc. Partner cross-functionally with HR Business partner, Employee Relations, Payroll and HR Technology teams to resolve any issues or discrepancies related to leave administration or programs supported by the team. Lead the communication strategy for leave, financial well‑being, and wellness programs by partnering with HR Communications to ensure clear, timely, and engaging employee education across all channels. Support project management for annual processes and vendor implementations, including facilitating provider renewals and RFPs in partnership with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and external consultants. Measure plan and program performance and provide reporting, metrics and strategic insights to leadership. Manage and lead the leave administration and wellness staff on daily administration of tasks. Manage the leave administration and wellness staff to maintain high level of morale, productivity and provide developmental opportunities. Manage, mentor, and coach the leave administration and wellness staff to improve overall leave management and benefit administration competency. Other benefits or total rewards projects as needed.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in Benefits, including managing leave of absence programs, with 3+ years in a team lead, supervisor, or manager role overseeing leaves, retirement plans, and benefits operations.
Experience working within HR Systems; experience with Workday HRIS system preferred.
Demonstrate behaviors based on Velera’s values: Dedication, Collaboration, Belonging, Curiosity, and Integrity
Strong knowledge of benefits regulations, including COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, PPACA, Section 125 and other applicable laws
Strong knowledge of federal and state leave laws, including FMLA, ADAAA, and other applicable regulations
Strong leadership skills with ability to handle sensitive issues in a confidential and professional manner
Effective interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate with employees at all levels of the organization and build and maintain relationships with vendors and consultants
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven recommendations
Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats and give presentations using various audiovisual support aids
Ability to balance multiple projects, work in fast-paced environment, and meet deadlines
Ability to exercise initiative, display detail orientation, and focus on complex and repetitive tasks
Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in making decisions

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
CBP, CEBS, SHRM-CP, PHR preferred.
Experience working within HR Systems; experience with Workday HRIS system preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee and lead the end-to-end administration of all leave programs, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, state-paid leaves, disabilities, military, worker’s compensation coordination, and company leaves ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Manage high-volume leave operations, ensuring SLAs and turnaround time are consistently met and escalated leave inquiries are handled fairly and quickly.
Serve as the primary escalation point for complex, high-risk, or sensitive leave and accommodation cases.
Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing leadership, creative direction, and project management for the design, implementation, and administration of an integrated wellness strategy that enhances employee well‑being and drives meaningful engagement.
Provide oversight of the 401(k) retirement plan by ensuring regulatory compliance, coordinating and preparing for retirement plan committee meetings, audits, and managing day‑to-day administrative activities in collaboration with plan advisors and service providers.
Ensure compliance with all the applicable federal and state regulations including FMLA, ADA, ERISA, HIPAA, and related reporting and documentation requirement.
Oversee third-party administrators and vendors supporting leave, disability, retirement, wellness, and employee assistance programs.
Lead other financial benefit programs such as Workplace Giving/Match program, tuition reimbursement, financial education and advisor programs, etc.
Partner cross-functionally with HR Business partner, Employee Relations, Payroll and HR Technology teams to resolve any issues or discrepancies related to leave administration or programs supported by the team.
Lead the communication strategy for leave, financial well‑being, and wellness programs by partnering with HR Communications to ensure clear, timely, and engaging employee education across all channels.
Support project management for annual processes and vendor implementations, including facilitating provider renewals and RFPs in partnership with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and external consultants.
Measure plan and program performance and provide reporting, metrics and strategic insights to leadership.
Manage and lead the leave administration and wellness staff on daily administration of tasks.
Manage the leave administration and wellness staff to maintain high level of morale, productivity and provide developmental opportunities.
Manage, mentor, and coach the leave administration and wellness staff to improve overall leave management and benefit administration competency.
Other benefits or total rewards projects as needed.