Senior Specialist, HR – Benefits (Leave & Disability)

The Kraft Heinz Company • Chicago, IL

9d • $89,800 - $112,200 • Onsite

About The Position

This role oversees administration and process improvements for the company’s leave of absence and disability programs, including recommending and implementing changes. This position supports HR partners across all locations and collaborates with the Benefits team, cross-functional stakeholders, and external consultants and legal counsel to ensure programs are well understood, effective, and compliant. Own vendor relationships, including serving as the primary escalation point for employees, HR partners, and providers; manage the Leave & Disability inbox and resolve issues in a timely manner. Monitor claim activity and payments; track and reconcile data in partnership with Payroll and HRIS teams to ensure accuracy and identify trends. Partner with the Sr. Manager, Internal Compliance, plan administrator, consultants, and other stakeholders to maintain compliant, accurate plan documentation and communications (e.g., SPDs and internal policy updates) and to implement updates driven by regulatory or business changes. Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable federal, state, and local leave and disability requirements, including FMLA, ADA, and state-specific leave laws. Develop and deliver training for HR partners on leave and disability processes; maintain employee-facing benefit site content and internal HR reference materials. Provide consultation and support to Legal on leave/disability matters, including appeals and internal/external claims; support accommodation case coordination consistent with applicable laws and company policies. Partner with Risk Management on coordination of leave and workers’ compensation cases, ensuring appropriate alignment and compliance. Maintain file feeds and data integrity for the North America population (including Willis Towers systems), managing updates, researching error reports, and coordinating resolution of discrepancies. Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, EHS, Occupational Health, Payroll, HRIS, and Legal to drive consistent communication, issue resolution, and continuous process improvement to enhance the employee experience. Analyze plan performance and costs; develop recommendations for management and lead implementation of approved changes, including vendor coordination and required communication/SPD updates. Support Annual Enrollment activities as needed, including testing and validation of eligibility and rate calculations. Support the Senior Benefits Manager in coordinating the LiveWell Committee and administering the LiveWell wellbeing program, which promotes employees’ physical, emotional, financial, and social wellbeing.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience supporting an HR function, with a strong focus on Benefits, Leaves & Disability, or a closely related area.
• Bachelor's Degree.
• Ability to identify programmatic trends, cost efficiencies, and system errors.
• Skill to easily pivot between empathetic employee advocacy and high-level executive presentations.
• A proven drive to take ownership of complex, cross-functional projects and deliver outstanding results.

Nice To Haves

• State leave legislation experience
• Payroll partnership and reconciliation
• HRIS/File feed background

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of U.S. Leave & Disability Process for union and non-union employees.
• Serve as the premier Subject Matter Expert (SME) across North America for Leave & Disability.
• Oversee administration and process improvements for leave of absence and disability programs.
• Recommend and implement changes to leave and disability programs.
• Support HR partners across all locations.
• Collaborate with the Benefits team, cross-functional stakeholders, and external consultants and legal counsel.
• Own vendor relationships and serve as the primary escalation point.
• Manage the Leave & Disability inbox and resolve issues.
• Monitor claim activity and payments.
• Track and reconcile data in partnership with Payroll and HRIS teams.
• Maintain compliant, accurate plan documentation and communications.
• Implement updates driven by regulatory or business changes.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable federal, state, and local leave and disability requirements.
• Develop and deliver training for HR partners on leave and disability processes.
• Maintain employee-facing benefit site content and internal HR reference materials.
• Provide consultation and support to Legal on leave/disability matters.
• Support accommodation case coordination.
• Partner with Risk Management on coordination of leave and workers’ compensation cases.
• Maintain file feeds and data integrity for the North America population.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to drive consistent communication, issue resolution, and continuous process improvement.
• Analyze plan performance and costs.
• Develop recommendations for management and lead implementation of approved changes.
• Support Annual Enrollment activities.
• Support the Senior Benefits Manager in coordinating the LiveWell Committee and administering the LiveWell wellbeing program.

Benefits

• Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future.
• Plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs.
• Events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
• Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

What This Job Offers

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