Specialist - Benefits and Leaves

METROLINA GREENHOUSES LLC • Huntersville, NC

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits & Leave Specialist serves as a trusted resource for employees and managers by administering leave, accommodation, and benefit programs while providing timely, accurate, and compassionate support. Success in this role requires a hands-on, service-oriented approach, strong follow-through, curiosity, and a passion for solving problems, improving processes, and supporting employees.

Requirements

• Three to five years of experience in Human Resources, Leave Administration, Benefits Administration, Employee Relations, or a related employee-support function.
• Experience providing direct, employee-facing support to employees and managers in an HR, benefits, leave, or employee relations environment.
• Experience using an HRIS/HCM platform to support leave administration, benefits processes, employee record maintenance, ACA compliance, reporting, and data auditing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain benefits, leave programs, and policies in plain language.
• Demonstrated curiosity, initiative, and problem-solving skills, with a track record of identifying opportunities to improve processes, employee experiences, or program outcomes.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel knowledge, including reporting, auditing, and data analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• PHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS, CBP, or other relevant HR, benefits, or leave administration certification.
• Experience administering or coordinating FMLA, ADA accommodations, and other protected leave programs.
• Experience working with third-party leave administrators and insurance carriers.
• Experience leading open enrollment meetings, employee training sessions, or other group presentations.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of employment laws, leave regulations, and benefits compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of projects, work independently, exercise sound judgment, and identify opportunities to improve employee programs and processes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate leave and accommodation cases from intake through resolution in partnership with UNUM, including employee and manager communication, claim tracking, accommodation coordination, pay and benefits administration, return-to-work planning, and escalation of complex issues.
• Partner directly with employees and managers to answer questions, explain leave programs in plain language, and guide them through challenging situations with empathy, professionalism, and confidence.
• Partner with healthcare providers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators to support leave, disability, accommodation, and benefit programs.
• Support benefits administration and Total Rewards initiatives, including benefit enrollments, life event changes, COBRA administration, open enrollment activities, and HRIS data maintenance.
• Assist with new hire benefits orientations, open enrollment meetings, and employee education sessions to help employees understand and maximize their benefits.
• Maintain accurate employee records and leave documentation, support compliance reporting and audits, and assist with ACA-related tracking and data validation activities.
• Take ownership of improving processes, employee communications, training materials, and program effectiveness by identifying opportunities, solving problems, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed