Senior Specialist, HR – Benefits (Leave & Disability)

Kraft Heinz • Chicago, IL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

This role manages all aspects of the U.S. Leave & Disability Process for union and non-union employees. The Senior Specialist serves as the premier Subject Matter Expert (SME) across North America, overseeing administration and process improvements for the company’s leave of absence and disability programs. This position supports HR partners across all locations and collaborates with the Benefits team, cross-functional stakeholders, and external consultants and legal counsel. The role involves owning vendor relationships, managing the Leave & Disability inbox, monitoring claim activity and payments, and tracking/reconciling data with Payroll and HRIS teams. It also includes partnering with Internal Compliance, plan administrators, and consultants to maintain compliant documentation and communications, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local leave and disability requirements (FMLA, ADA, state-specific laws). Additionally, the role involves developing and delivering training for HR partners, maintaining employee-facing benefit site content, providing consultation to Legal on leave/disability matters, supporting accommodation case coordination, and partnering with Risk Management on leave and workers’ compensation cases. The Senior Specialist will also maintain file feeds and data integrity for the North America population, collaborate cross-functionally to drive consistent communication and process improvement, analyze plan performance and costs, and support Annual Enrollment activities. The role also supports the Senior Benefits Manager in coordinating the LiveWell Committee and administering the LiveWell wellbeing program.

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, 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 Sr. Manager, Internal Compliance, plan administrator, consultants, and other stakeholders to 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, 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.
• 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.

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