[Hiring] Benefits & Leave Management Specialist @Connective

Role Description

The Benefits and Leave Management Specialist is responsible for the administration, coordination, and communication of Connective's employee benefit programs, including healthcare and pension plans, while also supporting employees and managers through short- and long-term leaves and return to work programs. This role serves as a liaison between employees, People & Culture, and benefit carriers. It operates within the Shared Services function, working in close partnership with the Total Rewards Lead who owns the strategic design and framework of Connective’s benefits programs.

Connective's workforce includes unionized employees covered by three collective agreements: CUPE, BCGEU, and the Yukon Employees Union, each of which may carry distinct benefit entitlements. The Benefits and Leave Management Specialist must be comfortable navigating that complexity accurately and consistently, ensuring every employee receives their correct entitlements and that queries are resolved with care and precision.

Location: Remote, British Columbia.

Status and Classification: Exempt. This position is open to applicants of all genders.

Hours: 40 hours per week; Monday to Friday, 0830-1630.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of benefits administration experience in a complex, multi-employee environment.
• Experience administering benefits for unionized employees and navigating collective agreement benefit entitlements.
• Strong working knowledge of group benefit programs, health, dental, disability, and life insurance.
• Experience with an HRIS or benefits administration platform; Ceridian Dayforce experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-volume, detail-oriented work accurately and to deadline.
• Post-secondary education in People & Culture, Business Administration, or a related field, OR demonstrated equivalency through experience.

Requirements

• Maintain accurate benefits records in Ceridian Dayforce and with external benefit carriers.
• Reconcile monthly benefit carrier invoices, identifying and resolving discrepancies in coordination with Finance.
• In coordination with payroll, reconcile monthly and annual pension records and payments.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits queries, responding accurately, professionally, and within established service level timelines.
• Guide employees through benefits enrolment processes and assist with claims navigation where required.
• Develop and maintain plain-language benefits guides and reference materials to support employee self-service.
• Support the annual benefits renewal process, communicating changes, updating records, and coordinating with carriers.
• Administer the benefits implications of leaves of absence in compliance with applicable legislation and collective agreement requirements.
• Provide support to employees on occupational and non-occupational leaves and assist with third-party Abilities Management provider, coordinating a return-to-work plan.
• Maintain up-to-date case records and documentation as required and keep manager and HRBPs informed.
• Participate in regular review meetings with third-party Abilities Management team, Total Rewards Lead, and Director of HR Operations & Shared Services.
• Maintain and develop internal policies and procedures for leave management, return to work, and functional abilities within the workplace.
• Support the administration of leave programs including tracking, documentation, and follow-up correspondence.
• Ensure benefits administration is consistent with the entitlements specified in the CUPE, BCGEU, and Yukon Employees Union collective agreements.
• Monitor legislative changes affecting benefits obligations and flag implications to the Director HR Operations & Shared Services and Total Rewards.
• Support the Total Rewards Lead with data and administration required for benefits program reviews, renewals, and RFP processes.
• Maintain documentation and records sufficient for audit purposes and in compliance with privacy legislation.

Benefits

• The salary range for this position is $71,300 to $89,100. Annual salary will be negotiated based on experience and qualifications.
• This role will also be eligible for Connective's comprehensive benefits package.
• Committed Living Wage Employer.
• 2022, 2023 and 2025 Canadian Nonprofit Employer of Choice Award from NEOC.
• 2023 High-Performance Culture Award from Supporting Lines.
• Competitive benefits package, including health, wellness, and pension plan.
• Career and personal development, with the ability to grow in a diverse range of programs and departments.
• Access to a range of staff mental health supports, including an in-house counsellor, Employee Family Assistance Program, and Critical Incidents Stress Management.
• Access to On-Demand Pay to withdraw earned wages before payday.
• Connective is part of a portability program where employees moving from a CSSEA-member employer to Connective will port their service hours for vacation and wage purposes (within last 12 months).

Inclusion

At Connective, we value and accommodate unique differences to ensure that our staff have the opportunity and are supported to thrive. To build a strong and representative workforce, we strongly encourage applications from BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ people, immigrants, and people with disabilities or other marginalized communities.