Employee Engagement Specialist
Location: Lakewood, NJ
Department: Human Resources
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: $75,000 – $85,000
Travel: Up to 10% within the U.S.
Company Overview
Our client is a premier pharmacy partner for long-term-care communities, known for its dedication to patient-first care, operational excellence, and high-touch support. With a focus on streamlining processes, strengthening communication, and elevating service standards, the team helps deliver consistent, reliable, and compassionate care across multiple states.
Their commitment to compliance, innovation, and continuous improvement has earned them a reputation for excellence—and they are now focused on strengthening their internal culture, enhancing employee satisfaction, and improving retention across the organization.
Position Overview
The Employee Engagement Specialist will be a central figure in transforming company culture, elevating employee satisfaction, and improving retention. This role is not limited to planning events—it is hands-on, people-facing, and deeply operational.
The ideal candidate thrives on building relationships, actively listening to employees, identifying challenges, and working closely with leadership to develop solutions. They will be highly visible on the floor, spending time with teams, gathering feedback, identifying morale issues early, and implementing strategies that keep employees motivated, engaged, and committed.
This is the perfect role for someone who blends empathy, creativity, and strategy—and who is passionate about creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and connected.
Key Responsibilities
Culture Transformation & Retention Strategy

• Serve as the “boots on the ground” presence, consistently visible and accessible across departments and shifts.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with employees at all levels to understand needs, challenges, and engagement drivers.
• Partner with leadership to identify cultural gaps and implement meaningful strategies to strengthen trust, respect, and collaboration.
• Track and analyze turnover patterns; develop targeted action plans to improve retention.
• Create programs that foster belonging, recognition, and pride in working with the organization.

• Develop and execute engagement initiatives that improve morale and reinforce company values.
• Coordinate recognition programs, employee appreciation efforts, wellness activities, and team-building events.
• Implement feedback loops (surveys, listening sessions, engagement check-ins) and translate insights into actionable improvements.
• Lead efforts to onboard new employees in a way that immediately connects them to the culture and community.

• Act as a confidential resource for employees seeking support, clarity, or guidance.
• Address concerns promptly and escalate issues appropriately to HR leadership.
• Help resolve small employee concerns before they become larger issues that affect morale or retention.
• Collaborate with HR Business Partners on employee relations themes and workplace improvements.

• Draft engaging internal communications, culture updates, newsletters, and announcements.
• Reinforce transparent, consistent messaging that builds connection and trust.
• Support leaders in delivering communication that aligns with values and drives engagement.

• Support onboarding, orientations, and check-ins throughout the first 90 days (a critical period affecting retention).
• Maintain accurate employee data, feedback notes, and engagement metrics.
• Ensure employee-facing materials—policies, guides, communications—are clear, welcoming, and culturally aligned.

• Track engagement KPIs such as turnover, absenteeism, new hire success rates, and feedback trends.
• Prepare engagement/retention dashboards to inform leadership decisions.
• Continuously identify opportunities to enhance the employee experience through process improvements, culture shifts, or leadership coaching opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Communications, Organizational Development, Psychology, or a related field preferred.

• 2–4 years in employee engagement, HR, or organizational development.
• Experience working directly with frontline teams or multi-shift environments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success improving culture, reducing turnover, or strengthening employee morale.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust quickly.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) with a people-first mindset.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to read environments and identify morale trends early.
• Skilled in conflict de-escalation and relationship-building.
• Tech-savvy with HRIS/ATS or engagement platforms.
• Flexible, resilient, creative, and proactive.

• Experience in healthcare, pharmacy operations, or multi-site environments.
• Training or experience in coaching, mediation, or organizational development.
• Bilingual abilities (not required but a plus).

• High-impact role directly connected to shaping culture and improving retention.
• Opportunity to build meaningful relationships across the organization.
• Competitive salary and benefits.
• A mission-driven environment dedicated to improving patient care.
• Chance to lead key engagement initiatives and be part of long-term culture transformation.

Compensation
This salary range is a good faith estimate and may vary depending on experience, qualifications, and performance.
EEO Statement
Topaz HR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any protected status. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees.
Recruitment Notice
Topaz HR is conducting this search on behalf of our client. The employer’s name will be shared during the interview process. All hiring decisions will be made by the client.