Advertising Summary: The Director of Human Resources serves as the principal architect of talent, strategy, and organizational culture for the Division of Student Affairs (DSA). Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Finance and Innovation, this role transcends traditional personnel management to provide high-impact strategic leadership.

Unit: Student Affairs (Vice Provost) MBU

Department: DSA Shared Services

Department Summary: The Division of Student Affairs at VCU is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community where all individuals feel valued and supported. We believe that diversity of culture, thought, and experience enhances both academic and workplace environments. Our commitment is rooted in principles of belonging and care, ensuring that all members of our community have opportunities to thrive.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Position Summary

The Director of Human Resources serves as the principal architect of talent, strategy, and organizational culture for the Division of Student Affairs (DSA). Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Finance and Innovation, this role transcends traditional personnel management to provide high-impact strategic leadership. The Director aligns HR initiatives with the University's mission, overseeing a diverse ecosystem that includes approximately 250 FTE and 900 student/hourly staff across the following departments:  Vice President for Student Affairs, including the Dean of Student Advocacy, University Student Commons, University Counseling Services, Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity, Recreation and Well-Being, University Student Health Services, Student Conduct & Academic Integrity, Residential Life & Housing, Student Leadership, Student Involvement, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and DSA Shared Services. 

Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities include:

Organizational Design & Visionary Leadership

• Strategic Alignment: Provide strategic human resources leadership for the Division of Student Affairs by aligning workforce planning, talent strategy, and organizational effectiveness with divisional priorities and university objectives.

• Culture Architect: Foster an inclusive, kind, and high-performance work environment that supports the unique needs of student-facing departments. Exercise sound judgement, discretion, and institutional awareness in addressing sensitive personnel matters, while building collaborative relationships and providing trusted counsel to senior leaders throughout the division.

• Change Management: Lead division-wide human resources strategy that supports both current operational needs and future organizational growth, ensuring staffing models, role design, and talent practices that position the division of sustained success.

Talent Optimization & Workforce Planning

• Lifecycle Strategy: Oversee the end-to-end employee experience, ensuring recruitment, onboarding, and retention practices attract top-tier professionals to DSA. 

• Professional Development: Design with Directors' growth pathways and succession plans that empower a diverse workforce to meet the changing landscape of higher education.

• Student Employment Innovation: Provide oversight for 900+ student worker positions, viewing these roles as both operational necessities and critical developmental opportunities for students.

 Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Policy Governance: Ensure absolute alignment with university-wide HR policies and legal mandates while maintaining the flexibility required by the Division’s specialized units.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilize HR metrics and university job slotting (e.g., HR Business Partner) to provide insights into turnover, compensation equity, and workforce trends. Advise divisional leadership on complex human resource matters, including position management, classification, compensation, job design, organizational structure, and long-range workforce planning across all Student Affairs departments.

• Resource Stewardship: Manage the HR function’s operational budget and resources to maximize the impact of personnel training investments.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:  

• An advanced degree, or training and work experience equivalent to one, is required.

• A minimum of 8 years of progressive, significant human responsibility and leadership experience is required.

• Demonstrated superior written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with all levels of University administration

• Ability to function well in a fast-paced, multi-task work environment that may present conflicting deadlines.

• Ability to respond to requests with a professional and positive demeanor; the desire to create a positive and enthusiastic environment within DSA.

• Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions, take initiative, work independently, and exercise sound judgment independently without close supervision.

• Ability to use all components of the Microsoft Office suite, Google Apps, etc.

• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of personal computers and applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.

• Ability to research personnel records, handle sensitive/confidential information, and consult University/State administrative policies while promoting unit-wide adherence.

• Supervisory experience.

• Ability to interpret and calculate salary data.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals in person, on the phone, and through email.

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential matters.

• Excellent analytical, planning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and organizational skills required.

• Proven ability to manage multiple assignments at once while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• A college or graduate school degree or concentration in human resource management, human resource development, business management, or a related field, or training or work experience equivalent to one. 

• SHRM Certification

• Ability to understand and functionally use Banner

• Substantial experience in a University Setting, Human Resources, preferably in a University setting

• Working knowledge of higher education finance and personnel practices, policies, and issues preferred.

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 92334 - Open

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Joslyn Bedell
Contact Email: JDBEDELL@VCU.EDU