Sunrise Senior Living
Vice President People Experience & Employee Relations
Sunrise Senior Living, Mc Lean, Virginia, us, 22107
When you join Sunrise Senior Living, you will be able to use your unique skills to empower residents to live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Not only will you build meaningful relationships with residents, their families, and team members alike, you will also gain joy in serving others and deep fulfillment in your work. Explore how you can follow your passions and shed light on meaningful ways to serve, grow, and shine together.
Sunrise Senior Living was again certified as a Great Place to Work® by Activated Insights. This is the 8th time Sunrise has received this top culture and workplace designation, highlighting the special place Sunrise is to be a part of.
COMMUNITY NAME
Community Support Office
Job ID
2025-233607
JOB OVERVIEW
The Vice President, People Experience & Employee Relations is a strategic leadership role responsible for building and leading comprehensive employee experience, organizational culture, and employee relations capabilities while establishing robust HR policy governance during a critical period of HR transformation. This position serves as the organization's chief advocate for creating exceptional employee experiences across our 250+ locations and 20,000+ team members through proactive relationship management, strategic culture development, innovative employee experience design, and forward-thinking policy governance. Working closely with our newly established HR Business Partner network and other HR leaders, this role will design and implement scalable, people-centered solutions that support organizational growth while ensuring compliance with evolving laws and regulations. This is a build-from-the-ground-up leadership opportunity that requires someone who can create scalable systems, develop new organizational capabilities, and lead change management across a large, distributed workforce.
RESPONSIBILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS
As a part of the Sunrise team, supporting our Mission, Principles of Service and Core Values is a fundamental part of this job. Our foundational belief is the sacred value of human life. The unique responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to the essential functions listed as follows:
Strategic Leadership & Transformation Partnership (15%)
Develop and execute enterprise-wide strategy for employee experience, organizational culture, employee relations, and HR policy governance
Partner with senior leadership to align people strategies with business objectives and growth plans
Lead organizational change management as we transition to new HR service delivery model
Build data-driven insights and reporting capabilities to measure success and identify improvement opportunities
Contribute to broader HR transformation goals through agile methodologies and cross-functional collaboration
Employee Experience Excellence (25%)
Design comprehensive employee journey mapping from hire to retire, with particular focus on frontline team member experience
Create scalable programs that enhance workplace experience across diverse locations and roles
Evolve current employee listening strategies including surveys, focus groups, and feedback mechanisms
Build workplace environment standards and improvement initiatives
Establish early warning systems and trend analysis capabilities to identify and address emerging experience challenges
Design retention strategies based on employee experience insights and feedback
Culture Development & Stewardship (20%)
Define, communicate, and embed organizational values and cultural behaviors across all levels
Create culture measurement tools and intervention strategies to address gaps
Partner with communications team on culture-building initiatives and internal branding
Lead initiatives to enhance psychological safety, inclusion, and belonging within teams
Foster positive workplace cultures that align with organizational values and strategic objectives
Employee Relations & Case Management (25%)
Establish comprehensive employee relations framework including case management, escalation protocols, and resolution processes
Lead complex employee relations investigations with objectivity, thoroughness, and sensitivity to all parties involved
Provide strategic guidance to leadership on sensitive employee matters, including performance issues, workplace conflicts, and misconduct allegations
Partner with legal to support alternative dispute resolution processes and mediation programs
Create proactive relationship management strategies that prevent issues while building trust and engagement
Serve as final escalation point for complex employee situations requiring enterprise-level intervention
HR Policy Development & Governance (10%)
Establish comprehensive HR policy governance framework including development, review, approval, and maintenance processes
Lead cross-functional policy development initiatives that balance employee needs, business objectives, and regulatory requirements
Create scalable policy templates and guidelines that support consistent application across diverse locations
Monitor and interpret evolving employment laws, regulations, and compliance requirements at federal, state, and local levels
Conduct regular policy audits and risk assessments to identify gaps and ensure continuous compliance
HR Business Partner Enablement (5%)
Provide ongoing consultation and coaching to HRBPs on complex employee experience, culture, and relations matters
Establish regular cadence for knowledge sharing, best practice development, and continuous improvement
Support HRBPs in handling employee relations matters through training and support programs
Core Competencies
Technical Competencies
Expert knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and risk management across multiple jurisdictions
Advanced skills in HR analytics, employee listening methodologies, and data-driven decision making
Experience with HRIS/HCM platforms, case management tools, and employee experience technology solutions
Strong knowledge of investigation best practices, conflict resolution, and alternative dispute resolution methods
Proficiency in policy development methodologies, governance frameworks, and change management principles
Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and their integration into employee relations practices
Leadership Qualities
Exceptional strategic thinking with proven ability to build functions from inception while maintaining high standards
Outstanding communication skills with ability to navigate sensitive situations and influence diverse stakeholders
Systems thinking approach with ability to design scalable, sustainable processes
Cultural intelligence and ability to work effectively across diverse populations
High emotional intelligence with conflict resolution and mediation skills
Strong ethical foundation with demonstrated integrity in handling confidential employee matters
Proven ability to build trust and positive relationships across all organizational levels
Transformation & Innovation Experience
Experience leading organizational change and HR transformation initiatives in people-centered environments
Proven track record implementing agile methodologies and design thinking for complex people challenges
Ability to balance innovation with regulatory compliance and risk management
Experience with cross-functional collaboration and breaking down organizational silos
Experience and Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed throughout this job description are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
10+ years progressive HR leadership experience with minimum 5 years in senior roles
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, Psychology, Law, or related field required
Master's in HR, Organizational Development, Psychology, or related field preferred
Professional certifications (SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent) strongly preferred
Proven track record building employee experience, culture, or employee relations functions from startup phase
Experience managing distributed workforce across multiple locations (preferably 100+ sites)
Deep expertise in frontline/hourly employee population dynamics and engagement strategies
Demonstrated experience managing complex employee relations matters and policy development at enterprise level
History of successful partnership with field operations leadership and C-suite executives, preferred
Experience in retail, hospitality, healthcare, or similar multi-location service industries, preferred
Background in organizational transformation or large-scale HR system implementations, preferred
Previous experience building or leading HR Business Partner networks, preferred
Experience with union relations and collective bargaining, preferred
ABOUT SUNRISE
Ready to take the next step and make a bigger impact than you ever imagined? As part of our team, you will help brighten the future for everyone at Sunrise and beyond. That is why we make it a priority to celebrate the unique ways you bring moments of togetherness and joy to everyone you serve. And when combined with the support, benefits, and growth opportunities we offer, the result is a career that PositivelyShines with everything you need to reach your goals - at work and in your life.
We also offer benefits and other compensation that include:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Plans
Retirement Savings Plans
Employee Assistant Program / Discount Program
Paid time off (PTO), sick time, and holiday pay
myFlexPay offered to get paid within hours of a shift
Tuition Reimbursement
In addition to base compensation, Sunrise may offer discretionary and/or non-discretionary bonuses.The eligibility to receive such a bonus will depend on the employee's position, plan/program offered by Sunrise at the time, and required performance pursuant to the plan/program.
Some benefits have eligibility requirements
Apply today to learn why Sunrise Senior Living is a certified Great Place to Work®
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Sunrise considers the health and safety of its residents, family members, and team members to be one of its highest priorities. Employment with Sunrise is conditioned on completing and passing a drug test (which does not include marijuana), participating in testing requirements (e.g. Tuberculosis Test, Physical Evaluation). Covid-19 and Influenza vaccination is only required to the extent mandated by applicable federal, state, and local laws and authorities.
COMPENSATION DISCLAIMER
Selected candidates will be offered competitive compensation based on geographic location of community/office, skills, experience, qualifications, and certifications/licenses (where applicable).
Location : Name
Community Support Office
Location : Address
7902 Westpark Dr
Location : City
McLean
Location : State/Province (Full Name)
Virginia
Salary Range
USD $200,000.00 - USD $250,000.00 /Yr.
Variable Compensation
Bonus Eligible
Sunrise Senior Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Sunrise Senior Living was again certified as a Great Place to Work® by Activated Insights. This is the 8th time Sunrise has received this top culture and workplace designation, highlighting the special place Sunrise is to be a part of.
COMMUNITY NAME
Community Support Office
Job ID
2025-233607
JOB OVERVIEW
The Vice President, People Experience & Employee Relations is a strategic leadership role responsible for building and leading comprehensive employee experience, organizational culture, and employee relations capabilities while establishing robust HR policy governance during a critical period of HR transformation. This position serves as the organization's chief advocate for creating exceptional employee experiences across our 250+ locations and 20,000+ team members through proactive relationship management, strategic culture development, innovative employee experience design, and forward-thinking policy governance. Working closely with our newly established HR Business Partner network and other HR leaders, this role will design and implement scalable, people-centered solutions that support organizational growth while ensuring compliance with evolving laws and regulations. This is a build-from-the-ground-up leadership opportunity that requires someone who can create scalable systems, develop new organizational capabilities, and lead change management across a large, distributed workforce.
RESPONSIBILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS
As a part of the Sunrise team, supporting our Mission, Principles of Service and Core Values is a fundamental part of this job. Our foundational belief is the sacred value of human life. The unique responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to the essential functions listed as follows:
Strategic Leadership & Transformation Partnership (15%)
Develop and execute enterprise-wide strategy for employee experience, organizational culture, employee relations, and HR policy governance
Partner with senior leadership to align people strategies with business objectives and growth plans
Lead organizational change management as we transition to new HR service delivery model
Build data-driven insights and reporting capabilities to measure success and identify improvement opportunities
Contribute to broader HR transformation goals through agile methodologies and cross-functional collaboration
Employee Experience Excellence (25%)
Design comprehensive employee journey mapping from hire to retire, with particular focus on frontline team member experience
Create scalable programs that enhance workplace experience across diverse locations and roles
Evolve current employee listening strategies including surveys, focus groups, and feedback mechanisms
Build workplace environment standards and improvement initiatives
Establish early warning systems and trend analysis capabilities to identify and address emerging experience challenges
Design retention strategies based on employee experience insights and feedback
Culture Development & Stewardship (20%)
Define, communicate, and embed organizational values and cultural behaviors across all levels
Create culture measurement tools and intervention strategies to address gaps
Partner with communications team on culture-building initiatives and internal branding
Lead initiatives to enhance psychological safety, inclusion, and belonging within teams
Foster positive workplace cultures that align with organizational values and strategic objectives
Employee Relations & Case Management (25%)
Establish comprehensive employee relations framework including case management, escalation protocols, and resolution processes
Lead complex employee relations investigations with objectivity, thoroughness, and sensitivity to all parties involved
Provide strategic guidance to leadership on sensitive employee matters, including performance issues, workplace conflicts, and misconduct allegations
Partner with legal to support alternative dispute resolution processes and mediation programs
Create proactive relationship management strategies that prevent issues while building trust and engagement
Serve as final escalation point for complex employee situations requiring enterprise-level intervention
HR Policy Development & Governance (10%)
Establish comprehensive HR policy governance framework including development, review, approval, and maintenance processes
Lead cross-functional policy development initiatives that balance employee needs, business objectives, and regulatory requirements
Create scalable policy templates and guidelines that support consistent application across diverse locations
Monitor and interpret evolving employment laws, regulations, and compliance requirements at federal, state, and local levels
Conduct regular policy audits and risk assessments to identify gaps and ensure continuous compliance
HR Business Partner Enablement (5%)
Provide ongoing consultation and coaching to HRBPs on complex employee experience, culture, and relations matters
Establish regular cadence for knowledge sharing, best practice development, and continuous improvement
Support HRBPs in handling employee relations matters through training and support programs
Core Competencies
Technical Competencies
Expert knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and risk management across multiple jurisdictions
Advanced skills in HR analytics, employee listening methodologies, and data-driven decision making
Experience with HRIS/HCM platforms, case management tools, and employee experience technology solutions
Strong knowledge of investigation best practices, conflict resolution, and alternative dispute resolution methods
Proficiency in policy development methodologies, governance frameworks, and change management principles
Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and their integration into employee relations practices
Leadership Qualities
Exceptional strategic thinking with proven ability to build functions from inception while maintaining high standards
Outstanding communication skills with ability to navigate sensitive situations and influence diverse stakeholders
Systems thinking approach with ability to design scalable, sustainable processes
Cultural intelligence and ability to work effectively across diverse populations
High emotional intelligence with conflict resolution and mediation skills
Strong ethical foundation with demonstrated integrity in handling confidential employee matters
Proven ability to build trust and positive relationships across all organizational levels
Transformation & Innovation Experience
Experience leading organizational change and HR transformation initiatives in people-centered environments
Proven track record implementing agile methodologies and design thinking for complex people challenges
Ability to balance innovation with regulatory compliance and risk management
Experience with cross-functional collaboration and breaking down organizational silos
Experience and Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed throughout this job description are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
10+ years progressive HR leadership experience with minimum 5 years in senior roles
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, Psychology, Law, or related field required
Master's in HR, Organizational Development, Psychology, or related field preferred
Professional certifications (SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent) strongly preferred
Proven track record building employee experience, culture, or employee relations functions from startup phase
Experience managing distributed workforce across multiple locations (preferably 100+ sites)
Deep expertise in frontline/hourly employee population dynamics and engagement strategies
Demonstrated experience managing complex employee relations matters and policy development at enterprise level
History of successful partnership with field operations leadership and C-suite executives, preferred
Experience in retail, hospitality, healthcare, or similar multi-location service industries, preferred
Background in organizational transformation or large-scale HR system implementations, preferred
Previous experience building or leading HR Business Partner networks, preferred
Experience with union relations and collective bargaining, preferred
ABOUT SUNRISE
Ready to take the next step and make a bigger impact than you ever imagined? As part of our team, you will help brighten the future for everyone at Sunrise and beyond. That is why we make it a priority to celebrate the unique ways you bring moments of togetherness and joy to everyone you serve. And when combined with the support, benefits, and growth opportunities we offer, the result is a career that PositivelyShines with everything you need to reach your goals - at work and in your life.
We also offer benefits and other compensation that include:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability Plans
Retirement Savings Plans
Employee Assistant Program / Discount Program
Paid time off (PTO), sick time, and holiday pay
myFlexPay offered to get paid within hours of a shift
Tuition Reimbursement
In addition to base compensation, Sunrise may offer discretionary and/or non-discretionary bonuses.The eligibility to receive such a bonus will depend on the employee's position, plan/program offered by Sunrise at the time, and required performance pursuant to the plan/program.
Some benefits have eligibility requirements
Apply today to learn why Sunrise Senior Living is a certified Great Place to Work®
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Sunrise considers the health and safety of its residents, family members, and team members to be one of its highest priorities. Employment with Sunrise is conditioned on completing and passing a drug test (which does not include marijuana), participating in testing requirements (e.g. Tuberculosis Test, Physical Evaluation). Covid-19 and Influenza vaccination is only required to the extent mandated by applicable federal, state, and local laws and authorities.
COMPENSATION DISCLAIMER
Selected candidates will be offered competitive compensation based on geographic location of community/office, skills, experience, qualifications, and certifications/licenses (where applicable).
Location : Name
Community Support Office
Location : Address
7902 Westpark Dr
Location : City
McLean
Location : State/Province (Full Name)
Virginia
Salary Range
USD $200,000.00 - USD $250,000.00 /Yr.
Variable Compensation
Bonus Eligible
Sunrise Senior Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer.