Multi-State Benefits and Leave Administrator

Berry Law Firm • Lincoln, NE

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Berry Law is seeking a senior-level Human Resources professional to serve as the Multi-State Benefits & Leave Administrator. This role is responsible for the design, administration, and compliance of all employee benefit programs and leave of absence processes across all states where the firm employs staff. The administrator will be the firm's subject matter expert on federal and state-specific benefits and leave law, ensuring accurate, compliant, and equitable administration for all employees. This position requires maintaining current knowledge of state leave laws, paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs, state-specific benefits mandates, and local ordinances, while delivering a high-quality employee experience. The role collaborates with the CHRO, Payroll Administrator, Head of Legal Operations, and outside benefits broker to manage risk, control costs, and maintain a competitive total rewards program. The position is critical for protecting the firm's reputation, minimizing legal exposure, and ensuring the firm's care for its team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Minimum 5–7 years in benefits and leave administration.
• Demonstrated experience processing multi-state payroll or serving as payroll backup required.
• Multi-state experience required — must have directly administered benefits and leave for employees in 5 or more states.
• Experience managing state PFML programs (contributions, claims, employer reporting) required.
• Expert-level knowledge of ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, PWFA, USERRA, and Section 125.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate overlapping federal, state, and local leave laws and apply the most employee-favorable standard.
• Strong analytical skills for benefits cost analysis, multi-state reporting, and compliance tracking.
• High attention to detail — multi-state compliance errors carry significant legal and financial risk.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills — ability to explain complex, jurisdiction-specific benefits information clearly to employees at all levels.
• High degree of discretion and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook); experience with multi-state HRIS systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously across multiple jurisdictions.
• Self-directed learner — must proactively stay current on rapidly changing state leave and benefits laws without being prompted.

Nice To Haves

• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or CEBS certification strongly preferred.
• CLMS (Certified Leave Management Specialist) highly desirable.
• Professional services or law firm experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with HRIS platforms.
• Experience managing benefits broker and TPA relationships.

Responsibilities

• Administer all employee benefit programs (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, STD, LTD, supplemental benefits) ensuring compliance with state laws.
• Manage the firm's 401(k) retirement plan, including enrollment, contribution changes, loan processing, hardship withdrawals, and vendor coordination.
• Oversee HAS and EAP programs.
• Ensure benefit plan documents and required notices are current and distributed in compliance with ERISA and state law.
• Coordinate and lead annual open enrollment across all locations, including state-specific communications, required notices, and plan variations.
• Reconcile monthly carrier invoices and audit for accuracy; resolve discrepancies with vendors.
• Manage relationships with benefits brokers, insurance carriers, and TPAs.
• Evaluate benefit plan performance annually and recommend plan design changes to the CHRO.
• Administer COBRA for all departing employees and qualifying events across all states.
• Ensure compliance with state-mandated benefits including state disability insurance, PFML programs, and mandatory sick leave accruals.
• Administer all leave programs in full compliance with federal law and the specific laws of every state where the firm employs staff, including FMLA and state equivalents, PFML, Paid Sick Leave, ADA Reasonable Accommodations, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Parental/Maternity/Paternity Leave, Military Leave, Pregnancy Accommodation Laws, Domestic Violence / Crime Victim Leave, Jury Duty, Voting, and Civic Leave, Bereavement Leave, and firm-specific PTO.
• Serve as the firm's primary subject matter expert on leave law across all jurisdictions.
• Manage the end-to-end leave process for employees in all states: intake, eligibility determination, documentation, approval, tracking, and return-to-work coordination.
• Apply the most employee-favorable law when federal, state, and local laws overlap.
• Coordinate with Payroll on leave pay, PFML benefit integration, and deduction processing during leave.
• Partner with the CHRO and Head of Legal Operations on complex or legally ambiguous leave situations.
• Proactively monitor federal and state legislative changes in all jurisdictions — including new PFML programs, paid sick leave expansions, and ADA/PWFA guidance.
• Maintain a multi-state compliance calendar tracking filing deadlines, contribution rate changes, and notice requirements.
• Prepare and file Form 5500, ACA 1094/1095, state PFML employer reports, and all other required filings.
• Ensure all required federal and state labor law postings are current for every work location, including remote employees.
• Prepare benefits utilization reports, cost analyses, and multi-state compliance summaries for CHRO and firm leadership.
• Provide accurate benefit deduction data — including state PFML contribution rates — to the Payroll Administrator each pay period.
• Audit payroll benefit deductions for accuracy across all states and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Coordinate leave pay calculations with Payroll, including PFML benefit integration with firm-paid leave.
• Serve as backup payroll processor in the CHRO's absence, ensuring uninterrupted semi-monthly payroll operations, including timesheet review, wage calculations, tax withholdings, and garnishment processing.
• Flag state-specific payroll tax implications of benefit plan changes to the Payroll Administrator and CFO.
• Develop and distribute state-specific benefits communications, enrollment guides, PFML notices, and required postings.
• Conduct benefits orientation for all new hires, tailored to their state of employment.
• Host open enrollment meetings and Q&A sessions firm-wide.
• Train supervisors and managers on leave notification obligations and multi-state compliance.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package
• Hybrid work flexibility
• Professional development support
• Direct partnership with the CHRO and executive leadership
• Meaningful work — you'll directly impact the well-being of 300+ employees and their families
• A mission-driven culture recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of The Best Companies to Work For in 2026

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior