Sr. Analyst, Benefits, ADA & Leave

Carnival Corporation•Miami, FL

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Benefits Analyst – ADA & Leave is responsible for managing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) interactive process and all leave of absence programs for shoreside North American Carnival Corporation Brand employees. This role serves as the primary subject matter expert on ADA accommodations, FMLA, PWFA, state and local leave laws, and company leave policies. The position requires independent decision-making, the ability to review medical documentation, assess reasonable accommodations, and provide written communications on accommodation and leave decisions in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. This role partners closely with employees, HR Business Partners, supervisors, Legal, and the company's leave of absence administrator to ensure consistent, compliant, and timely case management. Benefits administration experience is a plus and may be leveraged to support the broader team on a limited basis.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and 5–7 years of experience in leave of absence and ADA/accommodation administration
Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local leave and accommodation laws, including ADA, FMLA, PWFA, and USERRA
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and make decisions with minimal supervision
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex leave and accommodation concepts clearly
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, professionalism, and integrity
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to review and interpret medical documentation
Effective problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate complex and sensitive employee situations
Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with HR Business Partners, managers, Legal, and external vendors
High level of professionalism, including diplomacy, patience, and tact
Proficiency in HRIS systems and leave management platforms
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
5+ years of experience in benefits, leave administration, and/or ADA accommodation management.
Direct experience managing the ADA interactive process and administering FMLA and state leave programs is strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

Benefits administration experience is a plus

Responsibilities

Provides end-to-end leave and accommodation case management oversight, including assessing employee needs, answering complex questions, and ensuring accurate application of benefits and policies
Manages cases from initiation through return to work, adjusting plans based on changing employee circumstances
Leads all administrative aspects of leave cases, including: Tracking leave usage and entitlements, Coordinating PTO/sick/vacation integration, Partnering with Payroll and third-party administrators to ensure accurate leave dates and pay
Administers and oversees all leave of absence programs, including FMLA, PWFA, USERRA, state and local leave programs (including emerging paid family and medical leave laws), disability coordination, and company leave policies
Serves as internal liaison with the leave administrator to ensure accurate case setup, certifications, tracking, and return-to-work processes
Leads group and individual consultation sessions on leave, disability, and accommodation programs, as needed
Serves as the primary point of contact for employees, managers, and HR Business Partners throughout the leave and accommodation lifecycle
Engages proactively with stakeholders, providing guidance, answering questions, and ensuring a consistent and supportive experience
Promotes a collaborative, consultative approach between employees, HR, Legal, Payroll, and the leave administrator
Serves as a subject matter expert for leave and accommodation programs, providing real-time support on complex cases
Provides guidance and education to employees, managers, and HR Business Partners on leave and accommodation programs, ensuring understanding of available options, processes, and responsibilities
Assists HR in administering the ADA interactive process, including coordinating with employees, managers, HR Business Partners, and Legal, and supporting discussions related to reasonable accommodations
Builds and maintains strong cross-functional relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors
Provides clear, timely communication of leave determinations, accommodation decisions, and next steps to employees and stakeholders
Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including ADA, FMLA, PWFA, USERRA, and emerging state leave programs
Manages and documents the full ADA interactive process, including review of medical documentation and evaluation of reasonable accommodations (e.g., modified schedules, remote work, leave extensions, job modifications)
Exercises independent judgment to balance legal requirements, employee needs, and business considerations when determining accommodations
Monitors leave and accommodation cases for compliance risks and escalates complex or high-risk situations to Legal as needed
Drafts and delivers clear, professional written communications, including leave determinations, accommodation decisions, return-to-work requirements, and other case-related correspondence in alignment with legal and company policy standards
Ensures all leave and accommodation documentation, correspondence, and case files are accurate, complete, and maintained in accordance with recordkeeping requirements
Maintains strict confidentiality and sensitivity when handling medical information and employee situations
Partners with third-party administrators to ensure compliant leave designations, certifications, and return-to-work processes
Stays current on changes in federal, state, and local leave and accommodation laws and communicates impacts to stakeholders to support compliant and consistent practices
Provides cross-functional support to the Benefits team as needed, including assisting with benefits enrollment inquiries, compliance notices, wellness activities, open enrollment events, and other benefits-related tasks. This is a secondary responsibility to be performed on a limited basis in support of the broader team's operational needs.

Benefits

Cost-effective medical, dental and vision plans
Employee Assistance Program and other mental health resources
Company paid term life insurance and disability coverage
401(k) plan that includes a company match
Employee Stock Purchase plan
Holidays – All full-time and part-time with benefits employees receive days off for 8 company-wide holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays to be taken at the employee’s discretion.
Vacation Time – All full-time employees at the manager and below level start with 14 days/year; director and above level start with 19 days/year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 84 hours/year. All employees gain additional vacation time with further tenure.
Sick Time – All full-time employees receive 80 hours of sick time each year. Part-time with benefits employees receive time off based on the number of hours they work, with a minimum of 60 hours each year.
Complementary stand-by cruises, employee discounts on confirmed cruises, plus special rates for family and friends
Personal and professional learning and development resources including tuition reimbursement
On-site Fitness center at our Miami campus