Benefits & Leave Analyst

About Ascent

Ascent Global Logistics, headquartered in Belleville, Michigan, is a leading global provider of expedited, time-critical logistics solutions and other direct transportation services. The company connects customers to its extensive carrier network, internal ground fleet and airline via its proprietary, digital PEAK freight marketplace, which provides robust carrier capacity and transparent pricing, backed by 24/7/365 logistics experts. Ascent’s offerings include air charter and ground expedited solutions as well as truckload, less-than-truckload, global forwarding, brokerage, and managed transportation services. The experienced Ascent team solves customers’ most challenging logistics needs by providing industry-leading service and top-tier satisfaction.

Our Guiding Principles

At the core of Ascent's culture is a strong commitment to excellence, driven by the passion and dedication of every team member. We're equally dedicated to going above and beyond for our customers, ensuring this commitment extends beyond our team and brings exceptional value to those we serve. We aim for perfect execution in everything we do and ‘play hard’ by creating an environment where tasks are performed with a can-do attitude from start to finish. We ‘play smart’ by delivering on our commitments in an honest, fair and ethical manner. We treat every person with whom we interface with the utmost dignity and respect. We understand that our teammates are our most valuable assets, so we ‘play together’ by making every effort to provide a professional and enjoyable experience, enabling careers to flourish and personal growth to be achieved.

What You’ll Do

The Benefits & Leave Analyst administers Ascent’s employee benefit programs and leave processes, maintains accurate benefits and leave data, coordinates with internal and external partners, and prepares billing and reporting. The position is responsible for accurate, timely, and compliant administration across the employee lifecycle, with primary accountability for benefits, leave, reporting, reconciliations, audits, vendor coordination, and HRIS data integrity.

Serves as a subject-matter resource and primary point of contact for benefits, leave administration, disability coordination, and related employee questions. The analyst partners with employees, managers, payroll, vendors, and the Human Capital team to resolve issues and improve employee experience.

Benefit Administration

• Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, 401(k), HSA, FSA, EAP, and other voluntary benefits.
• Process benefit elections, life events, status changes, terminations, evidence-of-insurability items, and related HRIS transactions
• Coordinate with carriers, brokers, third-party administrators, and payroll to resolve enrollment, eligibility, billing, and deduction issues.
• Support annual open enrollment activities, benefit communication materials, employee education, carrier issue resolution, and ongoing process improvements that enhance service, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Leave Administration

• Manage leave of absence administration for assigned employee groups, including FMLA, STD, ADA, personal leave, and other company or state-mandated leave programs.

• Track leave cases, eligibility, required notices, certifications, deadlines, extensions, intermittent leave usage, and return-to-work requirements.
• Coordinate leave cases with employees, managers, payroll, and third-party administrators to ensure proper documentation, timely communication, and accurate pay treatment.

• Maintain confidential case documentation and escalate complex or high-risk matters through the appropriate Human Capital or legal process.

Reporting, audits, and process improvement

• Prepare reports on benefits eligibility, enrollment, plan participation, leave activity, disability status, benefit costs, payroll deductions, and related workforce metrics.
• Review benefit invoices, eligibility files, deduction files, and vendor reports for accuracy and timely resolution.
• Provide administrative, instructional, and HRIS support across Ascent business units.
• Perform other department and company-related duties and special projects as assigned.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, Analytics, or a related discipline preferred

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in benefits administration, leave administration, HRIS data administration, payroll coordination, HR reporting, or a related specialty
• Working knowledge of employee benefit plans, eligibility and enrollment rules, FMLA, Short-Term Disability, ADA accommodation processes, Paid Parental Leave, and related federal and state requirements
• Experience with data audits, eligibility reconciliations, vendor reviews, and benefit or leave-related process improvements preferred
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential employee information, sensitive leave cases, multiple deadlines, and detailed administrative processes

Ascent’s Competitive Benefits

• 401(k) and employer matching

• Life Insurance

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Short- & Long-Term Disability

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Wellness Program

• Paid Holidays

• Employee Recognition Programs

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Overtime, Differential & Bonus Pay