Benefits & Leave Administrator

Location Plymouth, MN; Detroit Lakes, MN; Ashland, OH; Birmingham, AL. Hybrid work possible. The job As our Benefits and Leave Administrator, you will lead and manage the day‑to‑day administration, compliance, and continuous improvement of SJE’s employee benefits and leave programs across our multi‑state engineering and manufacturing organization. SJE has 800 employees across 14 U.S. locations and is growing through acquisitions. This highly visible role serves as the primary administrator and subject matter expert for benefits, leave management, workers’ compensation, and wellness initiatives. You will own the full lifecycle administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability, COBRA, wellness initiatives, and leave of absence programs. You will partner closely with employees, leaders, vendors, insurance carriers, and third‑party administrators to ensure a concierge level of employee experience while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations. In this role you will independently manage leave of absence and ADA accommodation processes, coordinate workers’ compensation claims and return‑to‑work programs, reconcile benefit billing, oversee open‑enrollment activities, support 401(k) administration, maintain accurate HRIS and vendor data, and develop employee communication and training materials related to benefits and leave programs. You will also play a key role in analyzing participation trends, identifying process improvements, supporting organizational HR initiatives, and enhancing employee engagement and wellness efforts across SJE. This role requires a high level of ownership, judgment, confidentiality, organization, and the ability to manage complex employee situations with professionalism and care. Travel required 10‑15%. Requirements The skills, education, and experience you need: Strong knowledge of employee benefits, leave administration, and compliance requirements including ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FMLA, ADA, OSHA, and applicable state leave laws. Experience independently administering and managing health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, leave of absence, and workers’ compensation programs from onboarding through offboarding. Comfort serving as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for employee questions related to benefits, leave administration, accommodations, and eligibility. Experience managing complex leave and accommodation situations while maintaining confidentiality, compliance, and excellent employee service. Familiarity with multi‑state leave and benefit administration requirements and changing employment regulations. Experience coordinating open enrollment processes, benefits communications, vendor relationships, billing reconciliation, and annual compliance activities. Experience working within HRIS, preferably UKG, along with third‑party benefit administration platforms. Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels. Highly self‑directed with the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities, manage sensitive information, and exercise sound judgment independently. A 4‑year degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required, along with 7+ years of progressive experience in benefits and leave administration. Professional certifications such as SHRM, CEBS, or related certifications are preferred. Frequently Asked Questions What are the business hours? Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. What is your Paid Time Off and holiday policy? Up to 120 hours of Paid Time Off in your first year plus 8 paid holidays. What is the starting salary? The starting salary will be $65,000 – $95,000 per year and will depend on location and experience. What benefits do you offer? We offer a robust benefits package including health, life, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance as well as dental and vision programs. Why Work With Us At SJE, we believe in empowering our employees to grow professionally while making a real impact. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, and a collaborative culture that encourages creativity and problem solving. Join us and become a part of something bigger. Join a company where you’re not just working—you’re building a legacy! Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr