Leaves and Benefits Specialist

Overview

Job Location:
Boston, Massachusetts

Leaves and Benefits Specialist

The Leaves and Benefits Specialist is a member of the Global Health and Wellbeing Team, focused on work in the US, and reports to the Benefits Operations Manager.

This role requires background in leaves administration, knowledge of statutory compliance, vendor management and the ability to develop recommendations for program enhancements. This is a collaborative position engaging with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective plan management across segments.

Position Responsibilities:

Leaves & Benefits Programs:

• Manage day-to-day activities of outsourced leaves administration and ensure alignment with plan goals and provisions.

• Oversee integrations to/from vendors to ensure process accuracy and the delivery of leave benefits to colleagues across all states.

• Actively engage in partnership calls with the outsourced leave administration vendor to manage plan activities, monitor service level, and understand key trends.

• Advise colleagues and managers regarding concurrent leave programs to facilitate understanding of available benefits and related considerations.

• Coordinate with vendors and third-party administrator to support colleagues as needed.

• Work with internal stakeholders, including HRBPs, IT, payroll, employee relations, retirement, etc. to ensure coordination among all parties.

• Manage insured income protection plans (disability, accident, critical illness) as well as dental and vision plans.

• Maintain accuracy of internal and external communications. Review materials for revisions and enhancements throughout the year in response to regulatory changes.

• Support Employee Relations for accommodations and questions related to disability programs.

• Consolidate annual pay data for workers’ compensation and create summaries required for insurance vendor.

• File quarterly workers’ compensation with state agencies to ensure timely payments.

Vendor Management:

• Manage vendor relationships with disability, dental and vision plan administrators/insurers.

• On-going vendor management, including regular partnership calls, annual stewardship meetings, SLA performance tracking, escalated issue resolution, and renewal management.

• In partnership with consultants, plan the annual stewardship meetings with vendors to review plans performance, market changes, and opportunities for innovation.

• Support renewals for designated plans, complete periodic risk assessments, and coordinate contracting processes.

• Coordinate with the outsourced benefits administration vendor and participate in user acceptance testing to ensure programs set-up is complete for annual enrollment.

Statutory Processes and Compliance:

• Serve as the primary point of contact with state agencies regarding leave requirements and requests for information.

• Responsible for regulatory filings related to statutory leaves, including the annual Massachusetts paid family and medical leave private plan exemption.

• Manage program policies and summary plan description for updates and distribution.

• Coordinate with Payroll for the statutory leave tax withholding updates annually and as enacted throughout the year.

Strategy and Growth:

• Assess opportunities and recommend program enhancements to support strategic goals.

• Participate in projects as a member of the Global Health and Wellbeing Team as necessary.

• Stay apprised of industry trends, legal and compliance updates, and apply gained knowledge to designated processes.

Required Qualifications:

• 3 to 5 years of experience in benefits administration

• Experience with leaves and disability programs (statutory, company paid, and fully insured)

• Vendor management and project management experience

• Proven ability to work with complex processes

• Proficient with Microsoft Applications

Preferred:

• Understanding of data and trends

• Experience with outsourced benefits administration model

• Experience managing insured and self-funded plans

• Experience with Workday for leaves and data reporting

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want. 

• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words. 

• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-JH

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact recruitment@manulife.com.

Referenced Salary Location

Boston, Massachusetts

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$71,550.00 USD – $119,250.00 USD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact recruitment@manulife.com for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife/John Hancock offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.

Know Your Rights I Family & Medical Leave I Employee Polygraph Protection I Right to Work I E-Verify I Pay Transparency

Company: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)