Talent & Culture Manager (51221)

Talent & Culture Manager

Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Maple Grove, MN, with additional facilities across North America, we design and manufacture liquid cooling systems, air handling equipment, heat rejection units, and modular, factory-assembled thermal management solutions. Gradian was founded through the unification of four complementary, established brands: MAS HVAC, Daedex, DeepCoolAI, and EcoChillers. Together, we act as a single-source provider, deploying cooling technologies as scalable systems optimized for efficiency, spatial constraints, and overall performance. With a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing model, we pair rapid design turnaround with precision fabrication, so customers can move faster on complex projects where reliability, timeline, and quality all matter.

Position Summary: As Gradian grows through mergers, acquisitions, and rapid hiring, we are building one connected, purpose-driven culture across a newly combined organization. The Talent & Culture Manager is the champion and architect of that culture. This role exists to translate the Gradian brand, mission, vision, and values into everyday behaviors and experiences that employees can see, feel, and live at every stage of their journey. This is a highly visible, influence-driven role for someone who blends culture strategy with hands-on program execution. The Talent & Culture Manager will design and deliver the programs, moments, and communications that embed our five core behaviors One Team, Partners in Success, Connected and Engaged, Continuously Improving, and Mutually Respectful into hiring, onboarding, performance, recognition, development, and leadership.

The ideal candidate is a culture builder who can influence without authority, partner across all levels, and help shape who Gradian is as we scale.

The Culture We Are Building: Our five behaviors are the foundation of the Gradian culture. This role is responsible for making them real and measurable across the organization:

• Gradian Behavior: Collaboration, shared goals, and cross-site connection across a newly combined organization.
• Partners in Success: Trust-based relationships with employees, leaders, and stakeholders.
• Connected and Engaged: Communication, participation, belonging, and a positive employee experience.
• Continuously Improving: A growth mindset, learning, feedback, and ongoing program improvement.
• Mutually Respectful: Inclusion, dignity, and an environment where every voice is valued.

Key Responsibilities:

• Culture Design & Influence: Serve as the primary champion of the Gradian brand, mission, vision, values, and behaviors, influencing how they show up across the organization.
• Embedding Brand & Behaviors Across HR: Integrate the Gradian identity into hiring, onboarding, performance management, recognition, learning, and leadership development.
• Employee Experience & Engagement: Design and manage engagement initiatives, culture events, and recognition programs that reinforce the desired behaviors.
• Measurement & Continuous Improvement: Design and analyze engagement surveys, pulse checks, and listening tools to measure culture adoption.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Communications, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in HR, talent, culture, employee experience, organizational development, or a related area.
• Demonstrated success designing and delivering culture, engagement, or employee experience programs.
• Proven ability to influence and build trust across all levels of an organization without direct authority.
• Strong program and project management skills with the ability to move from strategy to hands-on execution.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and storytelling skills.
• Experience embedding values or behaviors into HR programs and processes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a high-growth, start-up, or post-merger / integration environment.
• Experience building culture across multiple sites or a distributed workforce.
• Familiarity with recognition platforms, engagement survey tools, and HRIS systems.
• HR or organizational development certification (e.g., SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR, or Prosci change management).

Benefits: Medical, vision, and dental plans; short-term and long-term disability insurance; group term life insurance coverage; HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available; 8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy; 401k matching; company paid events; annual safety shoe allowance; education assistance program.

EEO Statement: Gradian Thermal Solutions is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other legally protected status. Employment decisions at Gradian are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and actively promote a culture of fairness, equity, and opportunity. We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable laws.