Director - and Leave Administration

Under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), the Director of Benefits and Leave Administration is responsible for the design, implementation, delivery and oversight of all employee benefit programs and leaves of absence, including workers compensation and employee wellness initiatives.

Leads the analysis, design and evaluation of benefit programs and makes data-driven recommendations regarding changes, offerings and administration that allow YAI to offer robust, cost-effective and competitive plans to attract and retain a quality workforce.

Serves as primary liaison with benefit and leave-related vendors and external partners, including benefits broker and third-party administrators. Ensures compliance of various benefit programs and leave administration with all government regulations and other local or legal requirements, preparing and filing required legal reports.

• Designs long-term strategy for benefits and regularly evaluates all benefit plans to ensure they are cost-effective, competitive and meet the needs of both the employees and the organization in collaboration with CHRO, other HR directors and staff and broker.
• Works closely with the CHRO to assess current state of the organization and builds productive relationships with key stakeholders and leaders, identifying areas for improvement, making recommendations for changes, initiatives and enhancements regarding benefits and leaves of absence administration and programs.
• Ensures benefit and leave-related programs are appropriately integrated and effective in supporting the overall mission, goals and objectives of the agency and are administered in compliance with all applicable Federal, State and/or Local laws, regulations and requirements.
• Leads planning, development and implementation of new initiatives or updates to policies, procedures or education relating to benefits, leaves, retirement and other related areas.
• Stays abreast of relevant laws, regulations and best practices in benefits and leaves administration, serving as an internal consultant and strategic advisor to the CHRO, HR staff and Senior Leadership Team.
• Manages the negotiation/renewal of contracts with third-party providers including brokers, consultants and/or vendors, ensuring cost-effectiveness, performance results and appropriate service levels; reviews vendor market and assesses new products and/or vendors.
• Serves as primary liaison for all third-party providers regarding benefits, retirement, leaves, wellness and employee assistance-related inquiries, implementations, escalated claim issues and requests; maintains regular contact to monitor performance and compliance with contracts, including through periodic vendor meetings.
• Plans and directs implementation and administration of employee benefit programs such as health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, employee assistance, retirement and other plans.
• Maintains responsibility for leave and Worker’s Compensation administration, including collaboration with third-party administrators and carriers and oversight of day-to-day processing, updates and inquiries handled by benefits team to ensure compliance with timelines and documentation requirements for all applicable regulations for all leaves of absence (FMLA, PFL, CFRA, DBL, etc.).
• Oversees employee wellness program and implements new initiatives to motivate employees to maintain and improve their health in innovative ways and manages other incentives or programs, including the tuition reimbursement program, word of mouth referral program and employee discounts.
• Directs and monitors activities of the benefits team, ensuring they provide excellent service and useful education and resources to employees regarding an array of benefits and leaves questions, resolve problems related to access to or payment of benefits, orient newly eligible employees and process enrollments, changes, and loan requests in a timely manner.
• Provides guidance and assistance with the resolution of a wide array of benefit and leave-related questions, concerns and issues including policy inquires to staff at all levels of…