Senior Benefits Specialist & Leave Coordinator

Location: West Long Branch

Monmouth University is seeking applications for a Senior Benefits Specialist & Leave Coordinator in the Department of Human Resources.

Join our dynamic Human Resources team and contribute to a positive, supportive, and collaborative workplace. In this role, you will work alongside colleagues who value professionalism and teamwork. You will have opportunities to develop your skills, support meaningful projects, and play a part in enhancing the employee experience. If you enjoy building relationships and helping others succeed, we encourage you to consider joining our team.

The Senior Benefits Specialist & Leave Coordinator supports the administration, communication, and compliance of employee health and welfare benefit programs and leave management processes within a higher education environment. This role serves as a primary point of contact for faculty, staff, and administrators regarding benefits enrollment, plan provisions, leave entitlements, and related HR policies. The position ensures accurate documentation, regulatory compliance, and high-quality customer service to support the institution's mission and workforce needs.

This is an in-person, on-campus, non-remote position.

Application Materials Required:

Monmouth University requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted via the university's career portal. In addition to the application, candidates must upload the following documents. Applications will not be considered complete for review until all required documents are uploaded.

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Professional References

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Coordinate daily administration of employee health and welfare benefits including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short- and long-term disability programs, EAP, Telehealth and retirement programs as well as ancillary benefits and COBRA administration.
• Conducts weekly new employee orientations and provides follow up to new employee inquiries; benefit presentations to special employee populations, retirement and long- term disability retirement consultations, and quarterly retirement seminars.
• Support annual open enrollment activities by preparing materials, hosting informational sessions, and assisting employees with elections.
• Participates in auditing activities on a regular basis.
• Collaborates with the enrollment and administration teams to document processes and maximize efficiencies where possible.
• Maintain accurate benefits data in the HRIS; process qualifying life events, new hires, terminations, and plan changes.
• Reconcile monthly benefit invoices and ensure timely payment and accuracy.
• Assist employees in understanding benefit options, plan provisions, and eligibility guidelines.
• Coordinate with vendors, brokers, and carriers to resolve benefit-related issues.

Leave Management

• Serve as the primary contact for all leave programs including FMLA, ADA/504 workplace accommodations, sick leave, parental leave, workers' compensation, temporary disability and institution-specific leave programs.
• Review, track, and process leave requests; ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies.
• Communicate leave entitlements, required documentation, timelines, and return-to-work expectations to employees and supervisors.
• Maintain accurate and confidential leave files and tracking systems.
• Collaborate with the ADA/504 Coordinator, HR leadership, and supervisors to support interactive process discussions and reasonable accommodations.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure all benefits and leave processes adhere to federal, state, and local regulations (FMLA, ADA, NJLAD, ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA, ACA, state leave laws).
• Prepare regular reports on benefits utilization, leave trends, and compliance metrics.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes affecting benefits and leave management.
• Ensure accurate and timely compliance with governing statutes and regulations including non-discrimination testing pursuant to Section 125, ACA, 403(b), APBO and PCORI.
• Maintain OSHA records. Submit and post required logs and reports in accordance with established procedures and…