Senior Specialist - Human ResourcesLocated at our office in Naperville, IL, a regular in-office hybrid model is required (generally in-office Tuesday through Thursday, remote Monday and Friday).
Position Summary As a key member of our Human Resources team, the Senior HR Specialist plays a critical role in delivering a positive employee experience while ensuring consistent, effective, and compliant HR practices across our multistate workforce.
Serving as OHS's subject matter expert in leave administration and ADA accommodations, this role independently manages the full leave lifecycle, including FMLA, state-mandated leaves, short-term disability, ADA accommodations, and company leave programs. The Senior HR Specialist serves as a trusted resource to employees, managers, and HR Business Partners, applying deep regulatory expertise, sound judgment, and a thoughtful, employee-centered approach to navigating complex situations.
Partnering closely with Payroll, Benefits, Legal, Talent Acquisition, and our third-party leave administrator, this role ensures the accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of leave programs and other core HR processes. The Senior HR Specialist proactively resolves complex issues, identifies opportunities to improve policies and processes, and helps strengthen the overall employee experience. Success in this role requires independent judgment, strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to effectively balance employee needs, business priorities, and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities Leave of Absence & ADA Accommodations - Independently manage the full lifecycle of employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, ADA, state-specific leaves, parental leave, disability, military leave, and personal leave, from initial request through return-to-work.
- Lead the ADA interactive process, evaluating accommodation requests, coordinating reasonable solutions, and partnering with employees, managers, HR Business Partners, and Legal as appropriate.
- Serve as the primary liaison with our third-party leave administrator, Prudential, overseeing case management, resolving escalations, and ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant administration.
- Guide employees and managers through complex leave and accommodation matters with clarity, empathy, and sound judgment.
HR Compliance & Work Authorization - Own Form I-9 administration and employment eligibility verification, including E-Verify requirements, reverification, documentation retention, and compliance audits.
- Maintain accurate, confidential, and audit-ready employee records in accordance with federal and state regulations.
- Partner with Legal and external counsel on complex employment authorization matters and support ongoing compliance across our 43-state operating footprint.
Employee Onboarding & Offboarding - Manage the employee onboarding experience from accepted offer through the first 90 days, coordinating pre-employment requirements, new hire orientation, system readiness, and completion of required documentation.
- Oversee employee offboarding processes, including HRIS transactions, final pay coordination, required notices, benefits transitions, and equipment recovery.
- Partner across HR, Talent Acquisition, Payroll, IT, and business teams to deliver consistent, efficient, and positive employee transitions.
Payroll, Benefits & HR Operations - Collaborate with Payroll and Benefits to ensure accurate leave-related pay, disability benefit coordination, benefits continuation, and resolution of discrepancies.
- Maintain accurate employee information and process personnel changes in UKG Pro, including job changes, transfers, compensation adjustments, and separations.
- Support employment verifications, unemployment claims, and other essential HR administrative and compliance activities.
Employee Wellness & Engagement - Support the planning and execution of employee wellness initiatives, awareness campaigns, and company-sponsored programming.
- Partner with internal stakeholders and benefits vendors to increase awareness and utilization of wellness resources, employee assistance programs, and mental health support.
- Evaluate program participation and employee feedback to identify opportunities to strengthen our wellness offerings.
Reporting, Process Improvement & Employee Experience - Maintain and analyze HR data, leave trends, accommodation activity, and compliance metrics to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Develop and enhance HR processes, standard operating procedures, employee resources, and manager guidance to improve efficiency, consistency, and service delivery.
- Serve as a trusted resource to employees and managers, balancing regulatory requirements, business needs, and a supportive employee experience.
We're Excited if this is You! Experience and Qualifications - Minimum of 4 (ideally 6) years of progressive HR experience with at least 3 years focused specifically on leave administration in a multi-state environment.
- In-depth knowledge of FMLA, ADA, and state leave laws across multiple jurisdictions; demonstrated ability to apply regulatory requirements to complex scenarios.
- Experience managing leave programs in partnership with a third-party leave administrator (TPA); ability to evaluate TPA performance and escalate appropriately.
- Working knowledge of leave and payroll integration, including pay continuation, benefit deductions, and reconciliation.
- Proficiency in HRIS platforms; experience with UKG Pro is strongly preferred.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to build reports, audit data, and communicate findings to HR and business leadership.
- Proven ability to manage a high-volume caseload independently, with sound judgment on when to escalate.
- PHR, SHRM-CP, or a leave-specific certification (e.g., CLMS) is a plus but not required.
Education Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
We offer a compelling total rewards package that includes a competitive base salary and comprehensive benefits to support your total wellbeing. The base pay range for this position is $76,000 - $114,000 Annually. The specific pay offered will depend on qualifications, experience, education and skill set. The compensation offered may also include an annual performance-based bonus, sales incentive plan or commission target.
Our benefits include, but are not limited to, healthcare, life insurance, paid time off, retirement, commuter benefits, and education reimbursement. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.
Join our SUPER Team and Enjoy Amazing Benefits!- Competitive Compensation: We value your hard work and are proud of our competitive pay for performance philosophy.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance options, plus paid short-term and long-term disability coverage.
- 401(k) Plan with 4% Company Match: Secure your future with our robust retirement plan.
- Generous Paid Time Off: Take the time you need to recharge and relax.
- Education Assistance Program: Invest in your growth and development with our support.
- FSA/HSA Options: Flexible spending and health savings accounts to manage your transportation and dependent care expenses.
- Employee Wellness: Access to EAP, health, legal, and financial resources to support your overall well-being.
- Vibrant Company Culture: Monthly Townhalls, employee recognition programs, and Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs) to keep you engaged and connected.
Core Competencies - Regulatory Acumen - Stays current on federal and state leave laws and applies that knowledge accurately and consistently.
- Judgment and Problem-Solving - Navigates complex, fact-specific situations with confidence and minimal escalation; knows when to engage others.
- Data Orientation - Comfortable working with numbers, building reports, and using data to drive decisions and identify risk.
- Stakeholder Communication - Communicates clearly and professionally with employees at all levels, adjusting tone and detail appropriately.
- Accountability - Owns outcomes within the leave function, follows through on commitments, and proactively identifies issues before they escalate.
- Collaboration - Works effectively across payroll, benefits, legal, and HR business partners; builds credibility through follow-through and expertise.
