Leave Administrator

GFT is seeking a knowledgeable and service-oriented Leave of Absence Administrator to join our Human Resources team. This role provides an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the employee experience by helping employees navigate leaves of absence and workplace accommodations during some of the most important and often complex moments in their lives.

The Leave of Absence Administrator will manage GFT's leave programs and serve as a trusted resource to employees, managers, HR Business Partners, Payroll, and our third-party administrator. The ideal candidate combines strong knowledge of leave administration and regulatory requirements with empathy, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering an exceptional employee experience.

What you will be challenged to do

• Deliver a consistent, responsive, and supportive employee experience throughout the leave and accommodation process
• Manage multiple leave programs while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements
• Serve as a trusted resource to employees and managers regarding leave eligibility, processes, documentation, and return-to-work requirements
• Coordinate effectively across HR, Payroll, managers, employees, and external partners to ensure seamless administration
• Identify opportunities to strengthen leave administration processes, policies, and overall program effectiveness

In this capacity you will be responsible for the following

• Manage the end-to-end administration of leaves of absence, including FMLA, short- and long-term disability, military, personal, parental, and other company-sponsored leave programs
• Guide employees and managers through leave options, eligibility requirements, documentation, timelines, and status throughout the leave process
• Serve as the primary liaison among employees, managers, HR Business Partners, Payroll, and GFT's third-party leave administrator to ensure timely and accurate coordination
• Maintain complete and accurate leave records and track employee absences within GFT's HCM system
• Partner closely with Payroll to ensure accurate processing of pay and time related to employee leaves
• Review workplace accommodation requests and partner with appropriate stakeholders to identify reasonable accommodation options in accordance with the ADA, applicable laws, and company policies
• Monitor changes to federal, state, and local leave requirements and recommend updates to policies and procedures to maintain compliance
• Support the administration of benefits programs and annual enrollment activities, including vendor testing and employee communications
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when managing sensitive employee information and complex situations
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, consistency, and the employee experience

What you will bring to our firm

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in Human Resources, benefits, or leave administration
• Working knowledge of FMLA, short- and long-term disability, leaves of absence, and applicable state leave requirements
• Understanding of ADA workplace accommodation requirements and the interactive process
• Strong attention to detail with demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records and manage multiple cases simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex information clearly and compassionately
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, organizational, and customer-service skills
• Experience working with HRIS/HCM and third-party benefits or leave administration platforms
• Ability to collaborate effectively across HR, Payroll, business leadership, employees, and external partners

Preferred Qualifications

• PHR or other relevant HR certification
• Workday experience
• Knowledge of workers' compensation requirements
• Experience supporting leave administration within a multi-state organization

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions. 

Location: Remote
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time

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Applicants in the County of Los Angeles- Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Applicants in the City of San Francisco- Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Applicants in the State of California-Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.