A passionate, 'skip-to-work' spirit is the real deal at The Taubman Company

At certain times during the fall, it is not uncommon to see team members at The Taubman Company proudly wearing gear displaying the names, colors and logos of the universities they attended. This festive scene, and the friendly banter among team members that comes with it, adds to the fun created by college football rivalry weeks.

But after the games have been played, and after the fun clothes are replaced by slightly more business-like attire, Holly Kinnear wants the world to know that a positive, high-energy vibe can still be felt at Taubman.     

“We play for the team, and we love what we do,” proclaims Kinnear, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Taubman, which earned the No. 3 spot among midsize companies in the 2023 Michigan Top Workplaces competition. “We have passion and a skip-to-work spirit that’s real.”  

Founded in 1950 by entrepreneur A. Alfred Taubman, the Bloomfield Hills-headquartered company has developed enclosed regional malls across the U.S. and in Asia. And just as Taubman has responded to the wants and needs of the retail market for decades, which has led to innovations like the first food courts and multiplex theaters, Kinnear says the company’s understanding of team members’ needs today has produced an environment where employee engagement is high and turnover is low.   

“The labor market is hot, employees have choices, and we want the best people to choose Taubman. And they do! As a company we believe in flexibility and work-life balance,” said Kinnear, whose company offers a broad range of traditional benefit programs, along with some less typical benefits including subsidized meals at an onsite gourmet cafe, an on-site fitness center, and pet insurance. “We’re not rigid and we also support our employees when ‘life happens.’ When you work with employees through rough patches, they prove to be more committed to the team.”   

Kinnear says another key ingredient in Taubman’s secret success sauce is an ongoing commitment to making the top talent that the company hires even better.

“Our team members have opportunities to enhance their skills and functionality, which includes participating in mentorship programs, trainings and cross-functional projects,” Kinnear said. “Continuous learning is critical to individual and company success.” 

The Taubman Company

Industry: Real estate investment

Top leadership: Robert Taubman, chairman & CEO

Home: Bloomfield Hills 

Employees: 365

Website: taubman.com