Benefits Consultant

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in North Carolina.

📋 Description

• Act as a subject matter expert regarding leave, disability, and accommodations programs.

• Oversee the comprehensive administration of FMLA, ADA, disability, and workers’ compensation leave programs.

• Ensure adherence to regional, local, federal, and state-specific regulations.

• Facilitate employee support, concierge services, external vendor interactions, escalations, and care needs.

• Address complex benefits challenges and offer guidance on interpreting benefit plans.

• Collaborate with senior management, IT, payroll, and change management teams.

• Assist in leave-of-absence workflows, which include offboarding and reasonable accommodations.

• Implement change management for significant alterations in benefits offerings.

• Create and disseminate benefits communications, updating intranet pages, benefits guides, support platforms, and annual state communications.

• Analyze data related to leave, disability, and accommodations to identify trends and enhance program efficiency.

• Utilize AI tools to boost productivity, content engagement, and process optimization.

• Manage program budgets and review as well as approve vendor invoices.

• Investigate and resolve any payment discrepancies.

• Supervise business reporting, internal controls, data integrity, and financial accuracy.

• Manage auditing requirements for disability program processes.

• Take responsibility for additional benefit programs, including life, disability, and survivor support.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• Over 5 years of experience in benefits administration, focusing on leave, disability, and accommodations.

• Comprehensive knowledge of FMLA, ADA, ERISA, HIPAA, and regional/state-specific leave laws.

• Capability to manage relationships with third-party vendors and external partners.

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUP and pivot tables.

• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Visio.

• Ability to learn and utilize online vendor portals and benefits administration systems.

• Proficiency in HRIS systems such as Workday and case management tools.

• Professional certification like CEBS, PHR, or SHRM-CP is preferred.

• Experience managing benefits programs in a large, multinational technology organization is preferred.

• Experience in leading process improvement initiatives for complex HR programs is preferred.

• Experience with disability plans and coordinating workers’ compensation is preferred.

• Experience leveraging AI technologies to streamline HR workflows is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution.

• Paid parental leave.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Basic life insurance.

• Potential for Cisco restricted stock unit grants.

• 10 paid holidays each full calendar year.

• 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees.

• 1 paid day off for the employee’s birthday.

• Paid year-end holiday shutdown.

• 4 paid days off for personal wellness.

• 16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year for non-exempt employees.

• Flexible vacation time off program for eligible exempt employees.

• 80 hours of sick time off provided upon hire and each January 1st.

• Up to 80 hours of unused sick time can be carried forward.

• Additional paid time off for critical or emergency family issues.

• Optional 10 paid volunteer days per year.

• Annual bonuses for non-sales roles.