Senior Team Relations Specialist

Sun Communities•Southfield, MI

2d•Onsite

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, resource development, and training. It serves as a senior escalation point for complex and high-risk workplace investigations, supports leaders in effective people management, and advances team capabilities through investigation frameworks, tools, training materials, and process improvements. Additional work includes analyzing exit interview feedback and retention risks, supporting job description development, contributing to HR projects, and aiding administration of the J1 Visa program. This is a corporate headquarters position in the Metro Detroit, Michigan market. The role requires 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 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.
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, minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including preparation of 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 for handling sensitive, high-stakes situations professionally.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in employee relations, investigations, and personnel matters.
Ability to mentor Team Relations professionals and foster 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.
Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.

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 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 discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and other workplace concerns.
Develop investigation frameworks, templates, and resources to strengthen the Team Relations team.
Mentor and develop Team Relations Specialists in 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 them with business needs, organizational structure, and compliance requirements.
Design and implement special projects, process improvement initiatives, and other HR-related activities supporting organizational goals and priorities.
Aid in management of the J1 Visa program in partnership with 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 program.
Vacation RV site discounts at Sun resorts nationwide.
Team Member Perks & Discounts program.
Up to six weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or placement of a child.
Paid time off, including ten holidays, vacation, personal and sick time, bereavement, and jury duty pay.
Pay, advancement opportunities, and flexibility.