Human Resources Coordinator, Benefits & Leave Administration

Position Summary

The Human Resources Coordinator, Benefits & Leave Administration supports the day-to-day administration of MFAH’s employee benefit programs, leaves of absence, workers’ compensation processes, and employee wellbeing initiatives. Working under the direction of the Senior HR Manager, the Coordinator helps ensure that employee records, benefit transactions, required documentation, and related communications are accurate, complete, and processed on time.

The Coordinator serves as an accessible resource for employees, assists with new employee onboarding, and provides administrative support for HR systems, records, employee engagement activities, and other departmental operations. The position also serves as the primary backup to the Benefits Specialist and provides coverage for other HR functions as needed.

This role offers the opportunity to build broad HR experience while developing specialized knowledge in benefits, leave administration, workers’ compensation, employee communications, and HR operations within a mission-driven organization. This position is ideal for an HR professional seeking to expand their experience in benefits, leave administration, employee relations support, HR systems, and HR operations.

Essential Responsibilities

Benefits Administration

• Support the day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs under the direction of the Senior HR Manager, while working closely with the HR Benefits Specialist.
• Respond to routine employee questions regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, coverage, qualifying life events, and available resources.
• Refer complex benefit questions or concerns to the Benefits Specialist or appropriate benefit provider.
• Process benefit enrollments, status changes, qualifying life event changes, and terminations accurately and within established deadlines.
• Track employee benefit eligibility and provide required notices and enrollment information.
• Enter and maintain accurate benefit information in the HRIS and applicable carrier, retirement plan, and vendor systems.
• Assist with annual open enrollment activities, including employee communications, enrollment processing, record review, and follow-up.
• Reconcile monthly insurance premiums and assist with researching and resolving discrepancies involving employee records, deductions, enrollments, or vendor invoices.
• Coordinate with insurance carriers, retirement plan providers, and other benefit vendors to obtain current materials and routine information.
• Assist with developing and distributing clear, timely benefit communications.
• Maintain benefit-related information and resources on the MFAH intranet.
• Serve as the primary backup to the Benefits Specialist for designated administrative functions.

Leave Administration

• Support the administration and tracking of FMLA and other applicable leave programs under the direction of the Senior HR Manager while also working closely with the HR Benefits Specialist.
• Provide employees with routine information about leave procedures, documentation requirements, and available resources.
• Assist with preparing and distributing leave notices, forms, status updates, and return-to-work information.
• Track leave dates, required documentation, deadlines, and employee status changes.
• Communicate with employees, supervisors, and departments regarding the administrative aspects of leaves while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Maintain complete and accurate leave records.
• Assist with coordinating fitness-for-duty evaluations and return-to-work documentation when appropriate.
• Refer requests involving policy interpretation, accommodations, disputed eligibility, or other complex matters to the Benefits Specialist or the Senior HR Manager.
• Workers’ Compensation and Safety
• Assist with reporting and processing workers’ compensation claims.
• Maintain claim records and monitor open items.
• Communicate routine claim information among employees, supervisors, and the workers’ compensation carrier.
• Assist with obtaining required documentation and coordinating claim-related appointments or evaluations.
• Support return-to-work efforts, including the administrative coordination of applicable restrictions and documentation.
• Maintain workers’ compensation records and assist with required reporting.
• Assist with preparing and maintaining applicable OSHA records under the direction of the Senior HR Manager.
• Help coordinate workplace safety training and related employee communications.
• Schedule workers’ compensation and fitness-for-duty evaluations as needed.
• New Employee Onboarding and HR Operations
• Assist with new employee orientation and onboarding.
• Meet with new employees to review first-day information, required forms, benefit enrollment procedures, and available HR resources.
• Ensure that new-hire and benefit information is entered accurately in applicable HR and vendor systems.
• Prepare, route, and track employee status change forms and related approvals.
• Assist employees with routine HRIS self-service questions and basic system navigation.
• Provide documentation and information needed to respond to unemployment claims.
• Maintain organized, accurate, and confidential employee and benefit records.
• Assist with routine data entry, record review, reporting, and information retrieval.
• Employee Engagement and Department Support
• Assist with coordinating and communicating employee wellness and engagement activities.
• Support HR initiatives and special projects that contribute to the employee experience and MFAH’s workplace culture.
• Serve as backup to the HR Assistant and provide department phone coverage as needed.
• Provide backup support for processing purchase orders through the applicable accounting system.
• Provide backup support for preparing new and replacement employee identification badges.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly related professional experience.
• At least two years of experience in human resources, employee benefits, leave administration, payroll, insurance, healthcare administration, finance, compliance, or a related customer-service-focused environment.
• Experience working with an HRIS or comparable database involving data entry, record maintenance, and information retrieval.
• Experience handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Working knowledge of general human resources practices and an interest in developing deeper knowledge of benefits and leave administration.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when working with employee information, benefit transactions, invoices, and compliance-related documentation.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple assignments and meet established deadlines.
• Ability to follow established procedures, maintain appropriate documentation, and recognize when a matter should be referred or escalated.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn HR systems, vendor portals, databases, and other technology platforms.
• Ability to review records, identify discrepancies, and conduct appropriate follow-up.
• Clear and professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to explain routine HR and benefit information in a way that is understandable and helpful to employees.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to interact tactfully and respectfully with employees, supervisors, vendors, and service providers.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive matters.
• Ability to build trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within established areas of responsibility.
• Flexible and welcoming approach when working with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Commitment to MFAH’s mission and to providing responsive, inclusive, and employee-focused service.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting the administration of multiple employee benefit plans.

Experience with benefit enrollment, open enrollment, employee leaves, workers’ compensation, payroll, or benefit billing reconciliation.

Experience with UKG Pro, formerly UltiPro, or a comparable HRIS.

Experience working in a nonprofit, cultural, educational, healthcare, or similarly service-oriented organization.

SHRM-CP, PHR, or other relevant professional credential, or an interest in pursuing professional development in human resources.

Bilingual candidates highly encouraged to apply!

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600+ employees and 1,000+ docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, three eateries and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 70,000 works of art in a wide range of media.

As an employer, MFAH offers a supportive, collegial and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.

Position Available

Title: Human Resources Coordinator, Benefits & Leave Administration

Classification: Non Exempt

Schedule: 35-hour work week – 9 am to 5 pm

Pay Rate: Please see “Compensation” below

Work Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work will primarily be performed in an office environment. Work will involve extended sitting, and extensive computer use. With or without reasonable accommodation, the individual selected must have the capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to the other demands mentioned, the demands of the job may or will include:

Must undergo and meet company standards for background and reference checks.

Required ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently.

Extensive computer usage.

Seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly in order to communicate with staff, guests and others.

Frequent sitting, which may be required for extended periods of time.

Good vision or corrected by use of glasses and/or contacts for reading and viewing abilities.

Equal Opportunities for All

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) is committed to attracting and retaining talented individuals who can contribute meaningfully to our mission and organizational excellence. We welcome all applicants whose skills, experience, and perspectives prepare them to succeed in this role and support the Museum’s work in serving a broad public.

MFAH is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, and without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to fair and consistent employment practices and to maintaining a professional, respectful workplace for all employees.

We recognize that no candidate meets every qualification listed in a job description. If your background and experience align with many of the responsibilities and requirements of this position, we encourage you to apply.

MFAH is committed to ensuring equal access to employment opportunities. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application process, interview process, perform essential job functions, and access the benefits and all other privileges of employment. Requests for reasonable accommodation may be directed to the Human Resources Department at [email protected]

Benefits

• The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:
• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed health care programs
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program
• Group health, dental and vision insurance coverage available and effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role.
• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:
• Paid Time Off - Used for absences from work such as vacation, illness of short duration, and personal reasons. Hours are accrued biweekly, based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive eleven paid holidays per year
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.

Other Benefits

Staff may contribute to the MFAH Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible staff contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from the MFAH after one year of service. (We also recognize prior nonprofit service which will provide for an accelerated employer match!)

Roth IRA also available!

MFAH Membership – Staff receive a free Family-level membership

Discounts – Staff receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all on campus eateries and courses for you or your family at the Glassell School of Art.

Metro commuter subsidy available upon request

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and the needs and requirements expressed in the job description. The MFAH has set the pay range for this job and level as a general guideline and not a guarantee of the compensation amount or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, the needs and requirements expressed in the job description, as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data, and any related regulations or other laws.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $50,000-$60,000 annually. Placement within the range will be based on qualifications, directly related experience, internal equity, and organizational considerations.

Application Procedure

Qualified applicants should apply online, which will be the most effective way to ensure consideration. Application materials should include:

Cover letter

Resume

Candidates are encouraged to highlight accomplishments, process improvements, customer service achievements, or results achieved in prior roles.

If you prefer, a list of references will be accepted but not required at this early stage in the process. Applications or letters of interest sent via mail, fax, or direct email to a staff member will not ensure consideration.