Benefits Administrator

Job Summary and Department Description

The Benefits team is responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of Avant’s employee benefit function. The team processes benefit documents and oversees approval workflows for benefit-related changes, including enrollments, terminations, and post-employment benefit offerings. The department also researches, analyzes, and resolves benefit-related issues on behalf of field and corporate employees and provides general health and welfare benefits.

The Benefits Administrator is responsible for end-to-end operational case ownership across leave administration, workplace accommodations, workers’ compensation, and assigned compliance activities. This role manages cases from intake through closure, maintains accurate records and required communications, and coordinates with employees, leaders, vendors, and internal partners. The Benefits Administrator bridges transaction processing and program ownership by independently driving assigned cases, compliance calendars, audits, reporting, and documented process controls while escalating sensitive or high-risk matters appropriately.

Essential Functions of the Job

• Analyze and resolve complex benefits eligibility and transaction issues by evaluating employee records, documentation, and plan requirements; determine appropriate resolution within assigned authority and escalate matters requiring additional review
• Administer employee leave cases from intake through closure, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), disability, military leave, Company leave, and other applicable leave programs
• Review and evaluate leave requests and supporting documentation; determine eligibility and appropriate next within established policies and procedures; identify exceptions and/or conflicting information; communicate requirements and decisions, escalating matters as needed
• Maintain accurate leave status and case documentation in applicable HR, benefits, payroll, and vendor systems; coordinate pay, benefit premium, arrears, and status updates with internal partners as needed
• Independently administer ADA and PWFA accommodation requests, evaluating documentation, facilitating the interactive process, determining and implementing appropriate accommodations, documenting outcomes, and escalating complex matters for HR, Legal, or leadership review
• Partner with employees, leaders, HR, and appropriate internal resources to coordinate reasonable accommodation processes while safeguarding confidential medical information and escalating complex matters for guidance
• Independently manage workers’ compensation cases through closure, applying sound judgment to evaluate case status, coordinate with key stakeholders, recommend appropriate actions, and identify matters requiring escalation
• Coordinate return-to-work and transitional-duty activities for leave, accommodation, and workers’ compensation cases in partnership with employees, leaders, HR, and applicable vendors
• Conduct compliance audits across leave, accommodations, workers’ compensation, and related records; evaluate findings and risk, determine corrective actions within established authority, coordinate remediation, and escalate material or recurring issues
• Maintain compliance calendars and notice requirements, including due dates, recurring activities, responsible parties, supporting documentation, and evidence of completion
• Create, update, and maintain standard operating procedures, templates, checklists, decision guides, case notes, and process controls that support consistent administration
• Monitor assigned cases and queues, prioritize time-sensitive activities, follow up with responsible parties, and ensure documented completion of required actions
• Provide clear, and timely guidance to employees and leaders regarding process steps, documentation needs, status, and available resources without providing legal or medical advice
• Analyze recurring case trends, exceptions, control gaps, and operational issues, identifying opportunities for improvement; recommend practical changes and support approved process enhancements
• Maintain current working knowledge of Company policies and requirements affecting assigned programs and promptly escalate interpretation questions, exceptions, retaliation concerns, safety issues, and other material risks

Marginal Functions of the Job

• Other duties as assigned

Normal Work Schedule

This is a full-time position. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Additional time outside of these hours may be needed to complete the essential functions of the job.

Education, Training, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work and educational experience required
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in Benefits administration, worker’s compensation, and leave administration
• Proficiency in Microsoft office skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) & Adobe knowledge required
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Advanced organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Job Level Competencies

• Technical Skills: Intermediate ability to perform technical skills required for job role. This may include the use of specific technology, knowledge of job-specific tasks and concepts, etc. Intermediate ability to supervise project workflows for the team. Intermediate ability to handle routine tasks and non-routine tasks; and handle tasks with high level of complexity with some guidance.
• Communicates Effectively: Intermediate ability to communicate and network with key contacts outside own area of expertise. Intermediate skills in active listening and adjusting articulation and body language for presentations. Advanced ability to provide clear and concisely written, verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Develops Self: Intermediate ability to understand and apply an advanced range of experience, professional concepts, and Company objectives. Intermediate ability to take a lead role in projects that require advanced professional skills. Intermediate ability to mentor others in the area of specialization. Intermediate ability to continuously refine and update skills to stay current and progress in the field.
• Customer Focus & Teamwork: Intermediate ability to work independently to determine team and customer-centric methods for assignments. Intermediate ability to drive collaborative efforts and navigate team dynamics. Intermediate ability to address escalated customer feedback or concerns.
• Decision Making: Intermediate ability to leverage various selection methods and techniques to drive optimal results within the department. Intermediate ability to perform situational analysis and interpret risk data, including emotional intelligence and potential organizational impact. Intermediate ability to think critically in solo or group settings and manage time effectively. Intermediate ability to coach others on best practices.
• Innovation: Intermediate ability to develop ideas that establish new or improve business processes across a division or key functional area and increase productivity. Intermediate ability to address complex issues where the analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors with an innovative approach. Intermediate abilities in creativity, flexibility, continuous improvement, curiosity, experimentation, data analysis, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and strategic thinking.
• Quality & Results Oriented: Intermediate ability to self-monitor and correct work. Produces optimal results that impact one or more teams, departments, or divisions. Intermediate ability to demonstrate a commitment to excellence in their work and actively contributes to the development and improvement of processes and procedures. Intermediate ability to mentor colleagues on best practices for quality and results.
• Resourceful & Tenacious: Intermediate ability to use internal company policies and resources along with other external professional concepts to develop solutions to complex and critical issues.

Required Licenses, Certifications, and Other Specific Requirements of Law

• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) certification and ability to obtain and maintain

Other Characteristics of the Position

Physical Demands:

• Stationary desk work for extended periods at a time
• Regularly required to communicate
• Infrequent lifting of office supplies up to 20 lbs.
• Vision abilities including close vision and ability to adjust focus

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• This role routinely operates standard office equipment.

Statement of Responsibility for Confidential Data

• Has access to, and requires daily use of, confidential records.
• Required by federal law to maintain strict confidentiality of “Avant” employee information and maintain security of such information.
• Proprietary Information and Non-Conflict Agreement required.

Smoking/vaping and the use of tobacco products are prohibited on all Company premises, including indoor and outdoor areas, parking lots, and Company-owned vehicles.

As part of our employment process, candidates who receive a conditional offer may be required to undergo pre-employment drug testing.