Human Resources Specialist, Benefits & Leave, IXL Learning, CA, US

IXL Learning, developer of personalized learning products used by millions of people globally, is seeking a detail-oriented and compassionate Leave of Absence & Benefits Specialist to join our growing team. In this key role, you will serve as the primary point of contact for employees navigating leaves of absence and workplace accommodations. You’ll also provide essential backup support for our benefits team, assisting with projects like open enrollment, benefits audits, and wellness programs. #LI-GW1

Our ideal candidate will have experience with managing a variety of leave requests, including personal, family, medical, and military leave, ensuring every step complies with federal, state, and local regulations. You will also be familiar with handling ADA accommodation requests and workers’ compensation claims. This is a crucial position where your knowledge and skills will directly support our employees' well-being and help us maintain a compliant and supportive work environment.

This is a full-time position in our San Mateo, CA headquarters office. The work schedule for this role is Monday-Friday in the office with the option to work from home one day per week.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Manage every type of leave from FMLA and parental leave to short-term disability and workers’ compensation, ensuring our employees feel supported every step of the way
• Be a trusted guide, serving as the main point of contact for employees and managers, answering their questions about leave policies, paperwork, and timelines with clarity and empathy
• Meticulously track each leave case, ensuring all records are accurate and that communication is proactive and timely
• Partner with payroll to make sure employees are paid correctly while they're on leave
• Monitor federal, state, and local laws to ensure our processes are always compliant and up-to-date
• Help manage and facilitate the interactive process for Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, working closely with HR Business Partners and managers to find the best solutions
• Analyze data focused on leave requests to help us identify opportunities to improve our policies and better support our employees
• Act as the go-to person for all workers' compensation claims, ensuring they are reported on time and that our OSHA logs are meticulously maintained
• Collaborate with employees, managers, and our insurance partners to manage work restrictions and create a seamless transition back to the workplace
• Provide support for our benefits programs, from answering employee questions about their plans to helping with wellness initiatives and plan audits
• Assist with crucial projects like our annual open enrollment, helping to communicate changes and coordinate with our benefits vendors.
• Serve as a backup resource during peak workload periods or team absences

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field
• 3+ years of experience managing multi-state leaves of absence and accommodations; benefits experience preferred
• In-depth knowledge of FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, workers’ compensation, and state-specific leave laws
• Clear and empathetic communication style with the ability to simplify complex processes and provide excellent support to employees and managers
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Experience with insurance carrier claim systems
• Familiarity with Workday and Google suite is a plus

The base salary range for this full-time position is $90,000 to $95,000 + benefits. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the position. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.