Senior Specialist, HR – Benefits (Leave & Disability)

Job Description

Join Us as Senior Specialist, HR – Benefits (Leave & Disability)

As our Senior Specialist, HR – Benefits, you will manage all aspects of U.S. Leave & Disability Process for union and non-union employees.

Reporting directly to the Senior Benefits Manager, you will serve as the premier Subject Matter Expert (SME) across North America.  This role oversees administration and process improvements for the company’s leave of absence and disability programs, including recommending and implementing changes. This position supports HR partners across all locations and collaborates with the Benefits team, cross-functional stakeholders, and external consultants and legal counsel to ensure programs are well understood, effective, and compliant.

• Own vendor relationships, including serving as the primary escalation point for employees, HR partners, and providers; manage the Leave & Disability inbox and resolve issues in a timely manner.

• Monitor claim activity and payments; track and reconcile data in partnership with Payroll and HRIS teams to ensure accuracy and identify trends.

• Partner with the Sr. Manager, Internal Compliance, plan administrator, consultants, and other stakeholders to maintain compliant, accurate plan documentation and communications (e.g., SPDs and internal policy updates) and to implement updates driven by regulatory or business changes.

• Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable federal, state, and local leave and disability requirements, including FMLA, ADA, and state-specific leave laws.

• Develop and deliver training for HR partners on leave and disability processes; maintain employee-facing benefit site content and internal HR reference materials.

• Provide consultation and support to Legal on leave/disability matters, including appeals and internal/external claims; support accommodation case coordination consistent with applicable laws and company policies.

• Partner with Risk Management on coordination of leave and workers’ compensation cases, ensuring appropriate alignment and compliance.

• Maintain file feeds and data integrity for the North America population (including Willis Towers systems), managing updates, researching error reports, and coordinating resolution of discrepancies.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, EHS, Occupational Health, Payroll, HRIS, and Legal to drive consistent communication, issue resolution, and continuous process improvement to enhance the employee experience.

• Analyze plan performance and costs; develop recommendations for management and lead implementation of approved changes, including vendor coordination and required communication/SPD updates.

• Support Annual Enrollment activities as needed, including testing and validation of eligibility and rate calculations.
• Support the Senior Benefits Manager in coordinating the LiveWell Committee and administering the LiveWell wellbeing program, which promotes employees’ physical, emotional, financial, and social wellbeing.

What You Bring (Minimum Qualifications)

• Experience: 3+ years of experience supporting an HR function, with a strong focus on Benefits, Leaves & Disability, or a closely related area.
• Education: Bachelor's Degree.
• Analytical Thinker: Ability  to identify programmatic trends, cost efficiencies, and system errors.
• Master Communicator: Skill to easily pivot between empathetic employee advocacy and high-level executive presentations.
• Results-Oriented: A proven drive to take ownership of complex, cross-functional projects and deliver outstanding results.
• What will Set You Apart: state leave legislation experience, payroll partnership and reconciliation, HRIS/File feed background

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$89,800.00 - $112,200.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [email protected] for assistance.