Benefits & Leave Specialist - Remote Contract
Korn Ferry is recruiting a Benefits & Leave Specialist for a six-month contract engagement supporting a confidential global financial services organization. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced benefits professional with hands-on UKG expertise, extensive leave administration experience and the ability to manage employee inquiries independently.
Engagement Details
Location: Remote
Duration: Six-month W2 contract through Korn Ferry, with potential extension based on business needs
Compensation: $30-$40 per hour W2, with access to medical benefits, PTO and a 401(k)
Schedule: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, during standard Eastern Time business hours
Start: As soon as the selected candidate is available
Position Overview
The Benefits & Leave Specialist will provide hands-on support for benefits administration, Open Enrollment and employee leave management. The role will also support benefits testing and data validation during a transition from UKG to Workday, with a planned January 1, 2027 go-live.
The successful candidate will exercise sound judgment, investigate issues, determine appropriate next steps and follow through with limited day-to-day direction. The primary focus is functional benefits and leave administration, supported by system testing and data review.
Key Responsibilities
Benefits Administration & Open Enrollment
Support Open Enrollment using UKG Benefits Administration / Benefits Prime.
Manage day-to-day benefits administration, including employee life events and benefits inquiries.
Respond directly to employees and proactively manage benefits communications and follow-up.
Review and reconcile benefits data in Excel, identify discrepancies and determine appropriate resolutions.
Track benefits issues through resolution, escalating when appropriate.
Leave Administration
Administer employee leaves and serve as a resource for leave-related questions.
Support leave administration across multiple states, accounting for varying state-specific requirements.
Clearly explain leave processes and associated benefits implications to employees.
Track leave activity, identify potential issues and maintain appropriate documentation and follow-through.
Workday Implementation Support
Assist with benefits-related activities during the transition from UKG to Workday.
Support benefits system testing, data validation and related implementation activities.
Analyze benefits data and processes to identify discrepancies, gaps and potential issues.
Partner with internal stakeholders to troubleshoot and resolve benefits-related system or process concerns.
Required Qualifications
Hands-on experience with UKG Benefits Administration / Benefits Prime, including Open Enrollment.
Demonstrated ability to independently administer employee benefits.
Extensive employee leave administration experience.
Strong Excel skills, including the ability to analyze, review and reconcile benefits data.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to determine next steps with limited direction.
Experience independently managing employee inquiries and drafting clear, professional communications.
Strong attention to detail, organization, judgment and follow-through.
Ability to take initiative and quickly learn new systems and processes.
Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Multi-state employee leave administration experience is strongly preferred.
Workday experience, particularly implementation support and/or system testing, is preferred.
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com
