Manager, Leave & Benefits Administration

The Manager, Leave & Benefits Administration is responsible for the strategic oversight and day-to-day management of employee benefits and leave of absence programs. This role leads a team of 5 benefit and leave professionals while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including FMLA, ADA, state leave laws, COBRA, HIPAA, and other applicable benefits regulations. The Manager serves as a subject matter expert, drives process improvement initiatives, manages vendor relationships, and ensures an exceptional employee experience through accurate, timely, and compassionate service delivery.  

Consistent with LifeStance’s values, every member of the LifeStance team is expected to support each other and the mission, which may mean participating in projects and initiatives and performing functions and responsibilities not specifically outlined in this job description.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Leadership & Team Management 

• Lead, coach, and develop a team responsible for benefits administration and leave management. 

• Establish performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching and professional development. 

• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and compliance. 

• Conduct regular team meetings and individual coaching sessions using a weekly/ biweekly cadence. 

• Manage staffing plans, workload distribution, and succession planning activities.  

Benefits Administration 

• Oversee administration of health and welfare programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, wellness programs, and retirement plans. 

• Ensure timely and accurate processing of enrollments, life events, status changes, terminations, and annual enrollment activities. 

• Partner with vendors, total rewards, payroll and various other areas to resolve escalated issues. 

• Monitor service levels and identify opportunities to improve employee satisfaction and operational efficiency. 

• Support annual open enrollment activities, and employee communications.  

Leave of Absence Management 

• Oversee all leave programs, including FMLA, ADA, short-term disability, long-term disability, state leave programs, military leave, workers' compensation coordination, and company leaves. 

• Ensure compliance with federal and state leave regulations and company policies. 

• Manage escalated leave cases and provide guidance regarding accommodation and interactive process requirements. 

• Partner with HR Business Partners, managers, payroll, and legal teams on complex leave situations. 

• Monitor leave metrics, case timelines, and return-to-work activities. As well as benefit retro payments and timing of payments being made during leave periods. 

Compliance & Risk Management 

• Ensure compliance with all applicable benefits and leave-related laws and regulations. 

• Maintain accurate documentation, policies, procedures, and audit controls. 

• Coordinate internal and external audits related to benefits and leave administration. 

• Identify compliance risks and implement corrective actions as needed. 

• Maintain confidentiality and security of employee information.  

Process Improvement  

• Lead initiatives to improve operational efficiency, service delivery, and employee experience. 

• Oversee utilization and optimization of HR systems including Workday and vendor platforms. 

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, workflows, and knowledge resources. 

Vendor & Stakeholder Management 

• Partner with Total Rewards to m 

• anage vendor performance and service delivery expectations. 

• Partner with Payroll, HR Operations, HR Business Partners, Legal, and Finance teams to ensure seamless administration. 

• Support organizational initiatives and projects impacting employee benefits and leave programs.  

REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience considered. 

• 5+ years of progressive experience in benefits administration, leave administration, or HR operations. 

• 2+ years of people leadership experience. 

• Strong knowledge of FMLA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, ACA, and state leave regulations. 

• Experience working with WorkDay. 

• Experience managing third-party leave administrators and benefits vendors. 

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information with discretion. 

• Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States 

• LifeStance is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

• Demonstrates awareness, inclusivity, sensitivity, humility, and experience in working with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, sexual orientations, gender identities, and other various aspects of culture. 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

• CEBS, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification. 

• Healthcare or multi-state employer experience. 

• Project management and process improvement experience. 

Success Measures 

• Leave and benefits transactions completed accurately and timely. 

• Compliance with applicable regulations and audit requirements. 

• Positive employee satisfaction and service metrics. 

• Reduced escalations and improved case resolution times. 

• Achievement of departmental productivity, quality, and service goals. 

• Development and engagement of team members. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, bend, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee must be able to lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.  

COMPENSATION: $110,000 - $115,000/annually in addition to bonus eligibility

LifeStance provides the compensation range and benefits that it in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position. LifeStance reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

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