Kendo Benefits & Leave of Absence Specialist

Overview

Kendo Holdings is a San Francisco–based developer and wholesaler of next-generation beauty brands, operating as part of the LVMH Moët Hennessy — Louis Vuitton group. As an incubator of creative, market-savvy beauty concepts, Kendo partners with retail and direct-to-consumer channels to launch and scale distinctive brands such as Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin and Ole Henriksen.

Role & Responsibilities

• Administer all employee benefits programs for US and Canada including medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability, transportation perks, employee discounts, 401(k) and flexible spending/health savings accounts.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for benefits and leave of absence (LOA) inquiries, guiding employees through elections, claims and processes.
• Manage the end-to-end LOA process (FMLA, non-FMLA, ADA and related leaves): review requests, track status in LOA administration platform, and coordinate with managers and payroll.
• Oversee annual open enrollment: plan, execute and communicate enrollment activities to ensure high participation and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations and complete required reporting (e.g., San Francisco HCSO, LVMH and Fidelity retirement plan reporting).
• Process funding and reconciliations for 401(k), Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts and partner with Payroll and Accounting for accurate deductions and allocations.
• Conduct regular audits to validate benefits data accuracy and prepare timely, accurate reports.
• Support planning and analysis of employee wellness programs: communicate initiatives, analyze engagement and recommend improvements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director, Total Rewards to support departmental objectives.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of progressive benefits and leave of absence administration experience.
• Proven knowledge of US federal and state leave laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA) and benefits compliance requirements.
• BA or BS preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-jurisdictional benefits programs (US and Canada).
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical aptitude with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong written and presentation skills; able to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Highly organized, able to prioritize competing tasks in a fast-paced environment and work both autonomously and collaboratively.

Skills

Experience

Minimum 5+ years of progressive benefits and leave of absence experience, including administration of US and Canadian benefits programs and proven compliance with federal/state leave regulations.

Education

BA or BS preferred, or equivalent experience.

Workplace

Compensation

The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 108,000 to USD 122,000 per annum.

Benefits

Annual bonus; medical, dental and vision insurance; flex paid time off program; parental leave; employee discount/perks; retirement plan with employer contributions; Summer Fridays; two weeks Work From Anywhere annually; December wellness/shutdown week.

Culture

Kendo fosters an entrepreneurial, 'can do' culture that values creativity, speed and commercial rigor within the LVMH ecosystem. The team emphasizes diversity, inclusive storytelling and resilience, encouraging employees to innovate while maintaining high standards of product excellence.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.