Employee Experience Specialist at Coherent in Santa Clara, CA

The Employee Experience Specialist is responsible for designing, coordinating, and enhancing programs and initiatives that support employee engagement, workplace culture, and the overall employee lifecycle experience. This role partners closely with HR and business leaders to create a positive, inclusive, and engaging work environment that improves employee satisfaction, retention, and organizational effectiveness. The ideal candidate brings 3–5 years of experience in employee experience, HR, or people operations and demonstrates strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute employee engagement programs, recognition initiatives, wellness activities, and culture-building events. 
• Support and enhance the employee lifecycle experience, including onboarding, orientation, employee transitions, and offboarding processes. 
• Partner with HR and business leaders to identify opportunities to improve employee satisfaction, retention, and organizational culture. 
• Develop and distribute internal communications related to employee programs, company initiatives, events, and organizational updates. 
• Organize and manage company events, team-building activities, and employee appreciation programs. 
• Collect, analyze, and report on employee feedback through surveys, pulse checks, and engagement metrics, providing recommendations for improvement. 
• Maintain and update employee experience content on internal communication platforms, HR systems, and collaboration tools. 
• Support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives and promote an inclusive workplace environment. 
• Assist with HR projects and cross-functional initiatives that support organizational goals and employee experience strategies. 
• Ensure confidentiality and professionalism when handling employee information and sensitive matters. 
• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices related to employee engagement, workplace culture, and employee experience.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, Psychology, Organizational Development, or a related field required. 
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in employee experience, human resources, people operations, employee engagement, internal communications, or a related role. 
• Experience coordinating employee programs, engagement initiatives, workplace events, or culture-building activities. 
• Strong experience with employee communications, project coordination, and cross-functional collaboration. 
• Experience analyzing employee feedback, survey data, and engagement metrics preferred. 

Skills

• Ability to think conceptually and strategically, while maintaining results-driven approach. 
• Strong leadership experience implementing large-scale organizational initiatives, from inception through completion, which cut across multiple business units, geographies, teams and HR partners. 
• A team player by nature, but a strong leader with an open and direct style. 
• Ability to think strategically and translate strategies into actionable plans. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change through change management skills. 
• Ability to navigate and influence across complex organizations, establishes relationships as a trusted advisor. 
• Highly motivated and success-driven with the ability to implement and manage cross-functional projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Proven ability to operate strategically and have a hands-on approach. Operates in a transparent fashion without a personal agenda. 
• Proven ability to roll out and manage employee experience solutions on global scale. 
• Exceptional project management skills, from concept, to planning, to implementation, to results measurement. 

Key Competencies:

• Adaptability: Responds to change with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new ways to maintain and enhance effectiveness to accomplish work activities and objectives. 
• Innovation: Proactively identifies opportunities to improve processes and enhance program outcomes. 
• Planning and Organizing: Effective planning, execution, and monitoring of Employee Experience activities. Determines priorities and allocates time and resources effectively.
• Teamwork and Positive Relationships: Works cooperatively with others to accomplish goals; establishing and maintaining good working relationships; establishing a climate of trust and mutual respect. 
• Results Oriented: Self-starter, who uses measurement methods to monitor programs toward quality and goal attainment; tenaciously works to meet or exceed goals.
• Effective Communication. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with associates from diverse backgrounds, at all levels of management and with all functional areas
• Precision. Passion for both accuracy and details. Recognition that small details matter.
• Problem-Solving. Ability to identify process deficiencies and develop appropriate solutions using analysis and critical thinking
• Prioritization. Ability to set priorities, delegate when necessary, and balance the needs of competing demands on the team’s time
• Professional Discretion. Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality. Ability to assess, conclude and act with impartiality and without bias towards any individual or outcome. 

Working Conditions

• Role may require travel within the region at various company locations. Global and Domestic Travel: 25%
• This role will facilitate both virtual and in-person EX sessions.
• Must be flexible on work hours to facilitate sessions across different time zones. 

Physical Requirements

• May work in prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer or standing in front of a classroom to facilitate.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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