Team Relations Specialist

Sun Communities & Sun Outdoors; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental & Vision

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

Sun Communities in the Metro Detroit area seeks a Team Relations Specialist to partner with leaders and teammates, fostering a compliant, high‑performing workplace culture and guiding employee relations initiatives across Sun Communities. The role covers investigations, policy interpretation, compensation inquiries, and employment practices.

You will coach managers on performance management, maintain robust HR documentation, and ensure consistent policy application while supporting workforce

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field.
• 3 years in progressive, hands‑on experience working directly in employee relations.
• 3 years in Human Resources experience with demonstrated knowledge of core HR functions.
• 3 years in experience conducting workplace investigations, including allegations of harassment & discrimination.
• 3 years in experience interpreting and advising management on federal, state, and local employment law.
• 3 years in guiding & interpreting HR policies, procedures, & compliance requirements to team members.
• 3 years in experience leading managers and team members through comprehensive performance management processes.
• 3 years in experience interpreting and applying FLSA, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, NLRA, and related statutes.

Responsibilities

• Supports and promotes the culture, values, and mission of Sun Communities by fostering a safe, inclusive, positive, and productive work environment. (Essential)
• Provides guidance on employee relations matters, workplace concerns, and policy interpretation; escalates high-risk issues as appropriate.
• Maintains thorough documentation of employee relations matters, investigations, and performance trends in HR systems.
• Coaches leaders on effective people management practices, including performance management and accountability.
• Administers corrective action and performance improvement processes with policy compliance.
• Conducts investigations into discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and other concerns.
• Documents findings and facilitates resolution with leadership guidance.
• Responds to inquiries on compensation, benefits, and HR policies; collaborates with SMEs for timely resolution.
• Builds partnerships with operational leaders by attending meetings to provide HR guidance.
• Advises on best practices, risk mitigation, and employment law updates.
• Partners with hiring managers on job postings and organizational needs.
• Maintains HR metrics and workforce data to support decision-making and improvement.
• Administers exit interviews and analyzes feedback for retention improvements.
• Conducts payroll/audit activities ensuring wage/hour compliance and actioning corrective actions.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance engagement and culture; suggests improvements.
• Assists with job description development to align with business needs and compliance.
• Participates in special projects and process improvements across HR.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Employee relations

Workplace investigations

Policy interpretation

Performance management

Disciplinary procedures

HR compliance (FLSA, Title VII, ADA, F

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field

Tools

HRIS platforms

Case management systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

The Team Relations Specialist (TRS) serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to leaders and team members, fostering a positive, compliant, and high‑performing workplace culture across Sun Communities. This role is responsible for supporting team member relations initiatives and providing guidance on a broad range of human resources matters, including employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, workplace investigations, compensation, benefits, and employment practices. The TRS partners closely with leaders to proactively address workplace concerns, resolve team member relations issues, mitigate organizational risk, and ensure consistent application of company policies, procedures, and employment laws. Through effective coaching, counseling, and problem‑solving, the TRS helps leaders navigate complex people matters while promoting accountability, engagement, and professional development.

The Team Relations Specialist (TRS) serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to leaders and team members, fostering a positive, compliant, and high‑performing workplace culture across Sun Communities. This role is responsible for supporting team member relations initiatives and providing guidance on a broad range of human resources matters, including employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, workplace investigations, compensation, benefits, and employment practices. The TRS partners closely with leaders to proactively address workplace concerns, resolve team member relations issues, mitigate organizational risk, and ensure consistent application of company policies, procedures, and employment laws. Through effective coaching, counseling, and problem‑solving, the TRS helps leaders navigate complex people matters while promoting accountability, engagement, and professional development.

Job Duties

• Supports and promotes the culture, values, and mission of Sun Communities by fostering a safe, inclusive, positive, and productive work environment. (Essential)
• Serves as a trusted resource to team members and leaders by providing guidance and support on employee relations matters, workplace concerns, and policy interpretation; escalates complex, high-risk, or sensitive issues as appropriate. (Essential)
• Maintains accurate, thorough, and timely documentation of employee relations matters, investigations, corrective actions, and performance trends within the team relations case management system and other HR databases. (Essential)
• Coaches and develops leaders on effective people management practices, including performance management, conflict resolution, communication, team member engagement, and accountability. (Essential)
• Reviews, advises on, and partners with leadership to administer corrective action and performance improvement processes, ensuring consistency and compliance with company policies and employment laws. (Essential)
• Conducts prompt, thorough, and objective investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and other workplace concerns. (Essential)
• Documents investigation findings timely, recommends appropriate corrective actions, and facilitates resolution. (Essential)
• Responds to team member and leadership inquiries regarding compensation, benefits, leave programs, and HR policies, and partners with subject matter experts as needed to ensure accurate and timely resolution.
• Builds and maintains strong partnerships with operational leaders by attending department, regional, and company meetings to provide HR guidance, communicate policy updates, and support business objectives.
• Advises on employee relations best practices, policy application, risk mitigation strategies, workplace trends, and relevant federal, state, and local employment law updates.
• Partners with hiring managers to gather position requirements and organizational needs, ensuring the accurate creation and posting of internal and external job opportunities within the applicant tracking system.
• Prepares, analyzes, and maintains HR metrics, reports, and workforce data to identify trends, support decision‑making, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Administers exit interviews, analyzes feedback, identifies recurring themes and retention risks, and provides recommendations to leadership to improve the team member experience.
• Conducts timekeeping and payroll‑related audits to ensure compliance with company policies and applicable wage and hour regulations; documents findings and partners with management to implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance team member engagement, workplace culture, overall quality of work/life, and provides recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Assists with the development, review, and maintenance of job descriptions to ensure alignment with business needs, organizational structure, and compliance requirements.
• Participates in special projects, process improvement initiatives, and other HR‑related activities that support organizational goals and strategic priorities.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (Required)
• 3 years in progressive, hands‑on experience working directly in employee relations (Required)
• 3 years in Human Resources experience with demonstrated knowledge of core HR functions (Required)
• 3 years in experience conducting workplace investigations, including allegations of harassment & discrimination (Required)
• 3 years in experience interpreting and advising management on federal, state, and local employment law (Required)
• 3 years in guiding & interpreting HR policies, procedures, & compliance requirements to team members (Required)
• 3 years in experience leading managers and team members through comprehensive performance management processes (Required)
• 3 years in experience interpreting and applying FLSA, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, NLRA, and related statutes (Required)
• Ability to respond to business needs after normal business hours
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Demonstrated expertise in 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 application, 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, concise investigation reports and legally sound documentation
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex investigations and employee relations matters simultaneously
• Excellent presentation skills with proven ability to interact with and influence all levels of the organization, including senior leadership
• Strong interpersonal, investigative, and mediation skills with demonstrated ability to navigate sensitive and high‑stakes situations with professionalism
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in all matters related to employee relations, investigations, and personnel actions
• Advanced computer proficiency including the ability to use Microsoft applications, HRIS platforms, case management systems, email, and internet
• Ability to travel for on‑site visits and leadership conferences.
• Preferred Certifications/Licensures:(Professional in Human Resources (PHR))
• Preferred Certifications/Licensures:(Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR))
• Preferred Certifications/Licensures:(SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification)

Benefits

At Sun Communities, you will be part of an industry‑leading organization where you will be challenged, inspired, rewarded and transformed. We place a high priority on our team members, and this is a big part of what sets us apart. We will ask you to give us your very best every day, and will challenge you with interesting work, stretch assignments, a collaborative and supportive work environment and plenty of learning and growth. In exchange, we will reward you with great pay, advancement opportunities, paid time off, great benefits, and flexibility.

• Comprehensive Medical and Prescription coverage with 4 plan options so you can choose the plan that best meets the needs of you and your family
• Comprehensive Dental and Vision Plans
• On‑Site Fitness Center
• Voluntary Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance and Dependent Life
• 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 providing financial support to team members who further their formal education
• Vacation RV Site Discounts for team members when visiting Sun resorts across the nation
• Team Member Perks & Discounts program with hundreds of discounts on things like travel, merchandise, mobile phone service, and more
• Up to six weeks of paid parental leave for the birth of a child, adoption, or placement of a child
• Paid Time Off including ten holidays, vacation, personal, sick time, bereavement and pay for jury duty

located in the Metro Detroit, Michigan market.