Senior Benefits Analyst – Leaves & Time Away

Nordstrom

. Supports the administration, governance, and operational execution of Nordstrom’s Time Away and Leave of Absence programs, within applicable legal and regulatory frameworks .

Posted 4/30/2026full-timeSeattle • Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $93,500 - $155,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Supports the administration, governance, and operational execution of Nordstrom’s Time Away and Leave of Absence programs, within applicable legal and regulatory frameworks
Serves as a trusted advisor to HRBPs, leaders, and internal partners by providing guidance on program interpretation, operational processes, and complex scenarios
Supports and manages workstreams for leave and time away modernization initiatives, including policy updates, process improvements, system enhancements, and vendor changes
Partners cross‑functionally with Benefits, HR Business Partners, HR Operations, Legal, Payroll, Technology, and vendors to deliver aligned outcomes
Participates as an active contributor in a cross‑functional strategy working group, supporting strategy development through data analysis, benchmarking, and operational insights
Supports policy governance by drafting, updating, and maintaining time away and leave‑related policies, job aids, and employee‑facing materials
Interprets and applies laws such as FMLA, USERRA, ADA, and state paid leave requirements to support compliant and accurate program execution
Conducts analysis on utilization, eligibility, duration, timely filing, and employee impact to inform leadership discussions and decision‑making
Supports vendor coordination and oversight, including requirements definition, process alignment, reporting, and issue resolution
Contributes to the development of training materials, education, and communications to improve leader and employee understanding of programs
Identifies opportunities to streamline processes, reduce manual effort, and improve the employee and manager experience
Serves as a subject matter expert and point of escalation for complex questions or issues involving vendors, HRBPs, Legal, or the Employee Contact Center
Supports the maintenance of program documentation to ensure operational practices accurately reflect plan rules and approved policies

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years of experience in benefits administration, HR operations, or a related field
3+ years of experience supporting Leave of Absence and/or Time Away programs
Experience contributing to strategy development, program design, or enterprise initiatives through cross‑functional working groups
Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local leave laws (FMLA, USERRA, ADA, state paid leave programs)
General understanding of ERISA, HIPAA, and IRS/DOL requirements impacting employee benefit plans
Experience partnering with third‑party leave and disability administrators
Demonstrated ability to support and drive complex initiatives with multiple stakeholders and dependencies
Strong analytical skills, including experience interpreting data and creating clear, effective presentations
Experience working with Workday preferred
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and execute effectively in a fast‑paced environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience influencing and presenting to senior leaders
High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive employee information
Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
Benefits or HR certification preferred (CEBS, PHR, SHRM-CP)

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

benefits administrationHR operationsLeave of Absence programsdata analysisprogram designpolicy governanceprocess improvementsvendor coordinationanalytical skillspresentation skills

Soft Skills

trusted advisorcross-functional collaborationcomplex problem-solvingcommunication skillsinfluencing skillsdiscretionprofessionalismability to manage multiple prioritiesexecution in fast-paced environmenttraining development

Certifications

CEBSPHRSHRM-CP