The posting
Position: Benefits & Leaves Manager
Office of Human Resources
Overview of Cambridge Public Schools:
Cambridge is a vibrant, diverse city as well as a central hub of the nation’s innovative economy. Educating approximately 7,000 students PreK–12+, the Cambridge Public Schools consists of diverse and dedicated faculty, cutting-edge technology, and innovative programs. While each of the CPS school communities is unique, they are joined in a shared vision of rigorous, joyful, and culturally responsive learning. Over 30% of CPS students speak a language other than English at home, and more than 70 languages are represented across the district. Our schools proudly embrace this linguistic and cultural diversity while striving to establish high expectations for all students.
The Opportunity:
Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) is seeking a knowledgeable, collaborative, and service-oriented Benefits & Leaves Manager to lead the administration of employee benefits, leave programs, and workers’ compensation.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Human Resources, the Benefits & Leaves Manager will play a critical role in ensuring that employees receive timely, accurate, and equitable support while navigating benefits, medical and family leaves, workplace injuries, and return-to-work processes.
The successful candidate will bring strong technical knowledge of employee benefits and leave administration, sound judgment, exceptional organizational skills, and a commitment to delivering responsive, compassionate, and solutions-oriented human resources services.
This position will work closely with employees, school and department leaders, Payroll, the City of Cambridge, and external benefit and claims administrators to ensure effective program administration, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities:
Employee Benefits Administration
- Lead the administration and coordination of employee benefits programs, including health, dental, life insurance, retirement, flexible spending accounts, and other applicable employee benefits.
- Oversee employee benefit enrollment, eligibility determinations, qualifying life events, changes in coverage, and separation-related benefit processes.
- Manage the annual Open Enrollment process, including employee communications, enrollment coordination, informational sessions, and collaboration with the City of Cambridge.
- Serve as a primary resource for employees and school leaders regarding benefits eligibility, enrollment procedures, plan provisions, and available resources.
- Coordinate with Payroll, the City of Cambridge, insurance carriers, and benefit administrators to ensure accurate enrollment records, payroll deductions, and timely resolution of benefit-related issues.
- Oversee the administration of applicable contractual benefits, including tuition reimbursement, Master's Plus credits, and related employee benefit provisions.
- Ensure benefits administration aligns with applicable collective bargaining agreements, district policies, and federal and state regulations, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), COBRA, and HIPAA.
Employee Leave Administration
- Lead and oversee the administration of employee leave programs, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), medical leaves, parental leaves, personal leaves of absence, and other applicable statutory and contractual leave provisions.
- Review and coordinate employee leave requests, eligibility determinations, medical certifications, required notifications, and supporting documentation in accordance with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, and district policies.
- Serve as a central point of contact for employees navigating leave processes, providing clear guidance regarding eligibility, available leave options, documentation requirements, benefits continuation, and anticipated return-to-work procedures.
- Monitor approved leaves, intermittent leave arrangements, leave utilization, and applicable timelines to ensure accurate records and appropriate follow-up.
- Collaborate with school and department leaders, Payroll, and the HR team to coordinate employee absences, leave coding, payroll adjustments, and anticipated return dates.
- Coordinate leave-related workplace accommodations and return-to-work considerations in collaboration with appropriate HR personnel, administrators, and other relevant parties, consistent with applicable laws and district procedures.
- Maintain confidential employee leave records and ensure the appropriate handling of sensitive medical information.
- Identify opportunities to streamline leave administration processes, strengthen employee communications, and improve consistency across the district.
Workers’ Compensation Administration
- Oversee and coordinate the district's workers’ compensation program in collaboration with the City of Cambridge, designated claims administrators, school leaders, and other relevant partners.
- Serve as the primary HR point of contact for employees and administrators regarding work-related injuries, claims procedures, required documentation, and return-to-work coordination.
- Ensure the timely reporting, documentation, and submission of workplace injury information and workers’ compensation claims.
- Monitor the status of workers’ compensation cases, maintain appropriate communication with claims administrators, and facilitate timely follow-up on outstanding matters.
- Coordinate with employees, supervisors, claims administrators, and appropriate medical professionals to support return-to-work planning, work restrictions, and potential workplace accommodations.
- Collaborate with the HR team and school leaders to identify appropriate return-to-work arrangements consistent with medical restrictions, applicable laws, and district operational needs.
- Coordinate workers’ compensation absences with other applicable leave and accommodation processes, ensuring appropriate documentation and compliance.
- Maintain accurate and confidential workers’ compensation records and identify trends that may inform employee safety, prevention efforts, and process improvements.
Compliance, Employee Support & Labor Relations
- Ensure benefits, leave, and workers’ compensation practices comply with applicable federal and Massachusetts laws, collective bargaining agreements, and district policies.
- Interpret and apply contractual provisions related to employee benefits, paid and unpaid leave, sick leave, and other relevant employment matters.
- Provide guidance to employees, supervisors, and school leaders regarding benefits and leave procedures, documentation requirements, and district expectations.
- Collaborate with HR leadership and legal counsel, as appropriate, to address complex leave, benefits, accommodation, and workers’ compensation matters.
- Develop and maintain clear procedures, guidance documents, and employee communications to promote consistent, equitable, and accessible HR services.
- Approach sensitive employee matters with discretion, professionalism, empathy, and a commitment to fair and consistent practices.
HR Operations, Data Management & Continuous Improvement
- Supervise, support, and coordinate the work of assigned benefits and leave administration personnel, ensuring accountability, accuracy, and high-quality customer service.
- Collaborate with the HRIS team to ensure accurate employee benefits, leave, and workers’ compensation information is maintained within applicable district systems.
- Develop and maintain tracking tools, reports, and workflows to monitor leave utilization, workers’ compensation claims, enrollment activity, and administrative deadlines.
- Analyze program data to identify trends, operational challenges, opportunities for cost management, and areas for improved service delivery.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Payroll, Finance, school administrators, City Hall, benefit providers, and external administrators.
- Recommend and implement process improvements that strengthen compliance, operational efficiency, employee experience, and departmental accountability.
Additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to meet the evolving needs of the schools, district, and Office of Human Resources.
Your Skill Set:
As the incoming Benefits & Leaves Manager, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible human resources experience, with substantial experience in employee benefits administration, employee leaves, and/or workers’ compensation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of applicable federal and Massachusetts employment laws, including FMLA, Massachusetts PFML, ADA, workers’ compensation, COBRA, and employee benefits regulations.
- Experience interpreting and applying human resources policies, procedures, and employment regulations.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex employee matters.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complicated benefits and leave processes clearly and compassionately.
- Proficiency in HR information systems, Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and electronic records management.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive employee information with professionalism and discretion.
- Commitment to equity, anti-racism, culturally responsive practices, and delivering accessible, employee-centered human resources services.
Preferred:
- Master's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Experience managing benefits, leave programs, or workers’ compensation in a public K–12 school district, municipality, or other public sector organization.
- Knowledge of Massachusetts public sector employment practices, collective bargaining agreements, and contractual leave and benefit provisions.
- Experience supervising staff, leading operational improvements, and managing relationships with benefit providers and third-party administrators.
- Human resources certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS).
- Bilingual or multilingual skills.
Terms of Employment: This is a full-time, exempt position. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to fulfill the responsibilities of the role. As an exempt employee, this position is not eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Manager’s level benefits package.
Salary: Commensurate with experience, estimated projected range of $116,540.12 - $122,439.95
PS# 2358
How to Join Our Team:
Apply online at www.cpsd.us. Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills, experience, and commitment to equity in education align with the qualifications of the position and indicating how you learned about this opportunity.
At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.
