Benefits and Leave Manager at Upbring in Austin, Texas

Job Description:

About Us

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

What You'll Do as a Benefits and Leave Manager

The Benefits and Leaves Manager is responsible for managing and administering the organization’s benefits programs, including health and well-being initiatives. This role also oversees all leave of absence processes and ensures compliance with federal, state and local regulations and reporting requirements. The Benefits and Leaves manager works closely with employees, vendors, and organization leadership to ensure a smooth, effective and equitable benefits and leave experience.

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.

Benefits and Leave Manager Work Standards

• Manage all benefits programs, including but not limited to health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability and employee well-being initiatives
• Oversee annual benefits enrollment and ongoing education for employees on available benefits
• Design and administer leave of absence program, ensuring compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
• Manage American Disabilities Act (ADA) reasonable accommodation interactive process and assist with recommending solutions to enable employees to continue working
• Ownership and administration of workers' compensation program
• Point of contact for benefit and leave questions and creditable coverage verifications for brokers, insurance providers, and employees
• Implement and maintain metrics and reporting procedures; conduct regular comprehensive audits of benefit programs to ensure compliance and data integrity.
• Supervise, train and guide benefit team member(s) in day-to-day administration tasks
• Monitor and regularly audit post-payroll records for employees in an ‘active but not paid’ status to ensure compliance and prevent impact to benefit coverage
• Process benefit vendor invoices and reconcile electronic file transfers; use benefits auditing and data insights to recommend improvements and implement changes effectively
• Own the OSHA reporting process and communication
• Complete employment verification forms for Medicare; Timely process OAG requests and provide necessary information to Payroll team for processing; Manage timely receipt and processing of EOI information
• Maintain strict confidentiality of employee files, records, and information; Ensure organization and maintenance of employee benefit/medical files
• Other duties or projects as assigned

Communication

• Develop and deliver training and communication tools to promote employee understanding of Agency benefit offerings, worker’s compensation and leave of absence program and processes
• Conduct benefits education sessions: Train managers on role and responsibility regarding the management of leave/sick time
• Develop, implement, and share metrics that assess and monitor the effectiveness of ongoing benefits and leave administration programs and new initiatives
• Draft and send monthly benefits and leaves program and wellness initiative communications to Communications team for inclusion in newsletter
• Point of contact for general employee benefit questions and escalations related to benefit and leave administration
• Responds to benefits inquiries from leaders and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries
• Ensure accurate and timely communication to payroll team regarding arrears or refunds due to QLEs
• Manage data in accordance with the Agency’s record retention policies and procedures and state and federal laws and regulations

We Are Servants| We Help Others

Teamwork

• Partners closely with leaders and adjusters on leave cases and workers’ compensation claims including reviewing claim status on a regular basis and developing strategies for resolution
• Collaborate with the P&C and finance teams to ensure timely and accurate administration of employee benefits, audits and compliance reporting
• Supports People and Culture team with integration of new and/or existing rewards programs, policies, and procedures to ensure that programs are market competitive, internally equitable, and cost effective
• Train People and Culture team members supporting our programs to understand and communicate benefit offerings, leave management processes and resources
• Work closely with internal teams, including but not limited to Learning and Development, Communications, Marketing, to develop and distribute educational materials and campaigns on benefits and leave programs
• Participate on Agency Safety Committee; provide timely, accurate data and partnership on training initiatives
• Collaborate with the Director of People Development and Benefits to implement wellness and financial well-being initiatives

Developing & Engaging Others

• Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance, ensure established program goals, and achieve operational excellence.
• Communicate with direct reports in periodic one-on-one meetings
• Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives
• Work closely with management team to interview, hire, and onboard new employees who are strong cultural fits for Upbring
• Work in collaboration with leadership and the People and Culture Team to arrange training; when needed, coordinate and/or provide in-service training for staff development
• Regularly review employee performance, including goals and progress, to provide developmental feedback: use applicable agency development tools to facilitate growth and development in staff
• Draft and issue the 90-day and annual evaluations, along with supporting documentation, as per established procedures; work in collaboration with staff to set goals during evaluation periods

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Foster a collaborative working relationship with internal and external stakeholders; work with leadership teams to understand organizational goals and align benefits programs to support employee well-being and engagement.
• Work with third party vendors to ensure benefit plans are well-maintained, compliant and cost-effective
• Actively and regularly solicit employee feedback on benefits and/or leave administration programs
• Serve as benefits (HRIS) systems expert, keeping current on system updates and providing training as needed
• Work as a People and Culture professional and team player exhibiting professional behavior and positive attitude
• Exhibit cultural awareness and sensitivity in all interactions, both internal and external

Developing & Engaging Others

• Coach, train and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance; ensure established program goals and achieve operational excellence
• Communicate with direct report(s) in periodic one-on-one meetings
• Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives
• Work closely with management team to interview, hire, and onboard new employees who are strong cultural fits for Upbring

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in business administration, human resources, or relevant field; additional years of experience and/or HR certification will be considered in lieu of education. Must have a minimum of a High School diploma or GED equivalent
• 1-year supervisory experience
• 3 years of comprehensive experience with benefit administration, developing and managing FMLA, ADA, ACA, Workers’ Compensation policies and programs
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications

• Current professional certification issued by HRCI (PHR or SPHR) or SHRM (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP). or CEBS
• Bilingual Spanish speaking/writing
• Experience leading and managing all aspects of benefits open enrollment
• Non-profit experience
• UKG HRIS

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of Benefits Administration, FMLA, ADA, Workers Compensation and OSHA.
• Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills with the ability to build positive working relationships
• Strong working knowledge of Human Resources practices and trends
• Demonstrated ability to always maintain confidentiality and abide by HIPAA guidelines
• Attention to detail with ability to gather and analyze information and translate into empirical data (metrics, structured reporting, data driven analysis)
• Strong interpersonal and people skills with the ability to work independently, within a team environment and with a diverse group of people at all levels of the Agency
• Ability to travel up to 20%

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more!
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services
• Discounted Gym Memberships

Benefits and Leave Manager Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
  
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 25 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging 

We are a diverse and inclusive Organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best TO FULLFILL OUR MISSION OF BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran statutus.

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