Leads the organization’s benefits and total rewards strategy, including health and welfare plans, retirement, leave, wellness, compliance, renewals, open enrollment, vendor management, cost containment, analytics, employee communications, and governance. Advises executive leadership on plan performance and regulatory requirements while developing a high-performing benefits team and improving administration through technology and process automation.

Administers the full employee leave lifecycle, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, paid leave, military, parental, personal, and company-sponsored leaves. Provides empathetic employee support, determines eligibility, manages documentation and return-to-work processes, coordinates with managers and internal partners, monitors regulatory changes, and maintains compliant tracking, reporting, audits, and case records. Serves as a subject matter expert for multi-state leave administration and escalates complex risks appropriately.