Senior Team Relations Specialist

Sun Communities•Southfield, MI

About The Position

The Senior Team Relations Specialist (STRS) serves as a subject matter expert and mentor within Sun Communities’ Team Relations team, helping cultivate a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture. The role provides trusted guidance on complex employee relations matters, HR compliance, risk mitigation, performance management, policy interpretation, workplace investigations, and employment practices. The STRS identifies and mitigates organizational risk while supporting consistent and equitable application of company policies. The position also mentors and develops Team Relations Specialists through coaching, resources, and training. The STRS advises team members and leaders, manages complex and high-risk investigations, maintains thorough case documentation, and coaches leaders on people-management practices. The role develops investigation frameworks and team resources, analyzes exit interview feedback and retention risks, leads job-description development and review, supports HR projects and process improvements, and assists with Sun’s J1 Visa program. The position may require travel for on-site visits and leadership conferences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field.
Six years of progressive, hands-on Human Resources experience focused directly on employee relations.
Six years of experience conducting workplace investigations, including investigations into alleged harassment and discrimination.
Six years of experience interpreting and advising leaders on federal, state, and local employment law.
Six years of experience guiding and interpreting the application of HR policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
Six years of experience leading managers and team members through comprehensive performance management processes.
Six years of experience interpreting and applying FLSA, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, NLRA, and related statutes.
Valid driver’s license.
Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.
Expertise conducting end-to-end workplace investigations with sound judgment, objectivity, and legally defensible documentation practices.
In-depth understanding of employee relations compliance, including disciplinary procedure integrity, progressive discipline, and retaliation-prevention protocols.
Comprehensive understanding of FLSA requirements, including exempt/non-exempt classification analysis, minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping obligations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear investigation reports and legally sound documentation.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple complex investigations and employee relations matters simultaneously.
Excellent presentation skills and ability to interact with and influence all organizational levels.
Strong interpersonal, investigative, and mediation skills, including professionalism in sensitive and high-stakes situations.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in employee relations, investigations, and personnel matters.
Ability to mentor Team Relations professionals while fostering growth, collaboration, and continuous development.
Advanced computer proficiency, including Microsoft applications, HRIS platforms, case management systems, email, and internet.
Ability to travel for on-site visits and leadership conferences.
Experience connecting people-management objectives to business outcomes and organizational priorities.
Ability to guide sound employment decisions through understanding the relationship between internal policies and external regulations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field.
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification.

Responsibilities

Champion and model Sun Communities’ culture, values, and mission by fostering a safe, inclusive, positive, and productive work environment.
Serve as a subject matter expert and strategic advisor on complex employee relations matters, workplace concerns, and policy interpretation.
Maintain accurate, thorough, and timely documentation of employee relations matters, investigations, corrective actions, and performance trends in the team relations case management system.
Coach and develop leaders on performance management, conflict resolution, communication, and team member engagement.
Serve as the senior escalation point for complex and high-risk investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and other workplace concerns.
Develop investigation frameworks, templates, and resources to strengthen the Team Relations team.
Mentor and develop the Team Relations Specialist team on employee relations best practices, policy application, and risk mitigation.
Identify opportunities within the Team Relations function and develop and implement solutions.
Administer exit interviews, analyze feedback and recurring themes, identify retention risks, and recommend retention strategies and initiatives.
Lead the development, review, and maintenance of job descriptions to align with business needs, organizational structure, and compliance requirements.
Design and implement special projects, process improvement initiatives, and other HR activities supporting organizational goals and priorities.
Assist with management of Sun’s J1 Visa program in partnership with relevant stakeholders and in accordance with applicable regulations.
Create and maintain resources, tools, job aids, and training materials for the Team Relations team and organizational leaders.
Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical and prescription coverage with four plan options.
Comprehensive dental and vision plans.
On-site fitness center.
Voluntary health and dependent care reimbursement accounts.
Life, accidental death and dismemberment, and dependent life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
401(k) plan with Sun matching contribution.
Employee Assistance Program.
Identity theft insurance.
Legal assistance plan.
Pet insurance.
Tuition reimbursement.
Vacation RV site discounts at Sun resorts nationwide.
Team Member Perks & Discounts program.
Up to six weeks of paid parental leave for the birth, adoption, or placement of a child.
Paid time off, including ten holidays, vacation, personal and sick time, bereavement leave, and jury duty pay.
Advancement opportunities, learning and growth opportunities, and a collaborative and supportive work environment.