Human Resources Director - President's Senior Management Division

Based in Blacksburg, Virginia with locations in every county in the Commonwealth, Virginia Tech is a top 25 public research university. Under the leadership of a dynamic President, the University is growing in Blacksburg as well as expanding its presence across Virginia, most notably the Health Science and Technology campus in Roanoke and the Innovation campus in the DC metropolitan area.
As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and a leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers approximately 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across the commonwealth and manages a research portfolio of more than $556 million.
The university fulfills its role as a land-grant institution by fostering a collaborative environment that integrates technology into all disciplines, so that the Virginia Tech community can serve as a force for positive change around the commonwealth, the country, and the world.
The President’s senior management division consists of a variety of departments such as Government Relations, University Legal Counsel, University Ombuds, and more. The largest client group will include more than 200 faculty, staff, and coaches in the Athletic Department. Virginia Tech is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and participates in 22 varsity sports at the division one level.
Virginia Tech is seeking an accomplished human resources professional with excellent communication and seasoned leadership skills to serve in the role of Director for Human Resources supporting the President’s senior management area (SMA). The position will report jointly to the Managing Director for Business and Administration within the Office of the President and the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources – Consulting and Strategic Services within the division of Human Resources. For Athletics, the senior management engagement with the HR Director resides with the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Affairs, and the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Special Assistant to the President.
The HR director will align and execute unit-based HR strategy with the university’s mission and strategy, as well as aligning programs and services with peer institutions and market demands, working as part of the larger HR organization and ensuring units are able to attract and retain the highest level of talent. The role will provide leadership, guidance, and resources for all talent-related activities including acquisition, development, management, and engagement and ensure there are clear linkages to the university and department strategy. Responsibilities include oversight of hiring and onboarding activities, training programs, performance management and employee relations, workforce planning and staffing, alignment with university and unit-specific policies and compliance, recruiting, retention planning, succession planning, and support of diversity and inclusion efforts.
This position provides advice and support aimed at building organizational cohesion, health and flexibility, as well as serves as strategic advisor and partner with units, leading strategic HR planning and development for all human resource aspects, including compensation, future of work, career development and advancement, and workplace culture.
This individual will serve as the key strategy collaborator with leaders in the President’s SMA. The director will be part of the Office of the President’s administrative team and a member of the HR leadership team. As the university continues to grow and develop into one of the top 100 global universities, this position will focus on aligning organizations within a rapidly changing and complex environment. Organizational development and change management will be key for this successful leader. To succeed in this role, on-site work with leadership, team members, and colleagues is expected within respective departments such as Athletics, Human Resources, and the President’s Office.
This person will provide strategic and tactical leadership to the service area. To carry out these responsibilities, this person must be proactive, a strategic thinker, understand the critical importance of professional judgement, planning and program delivery, be able to successfully balance competing values, and align recommendations and actions with the strategies of the university. Success in this position will rely on understanding and integrating with the culture and environment of the President’s senior management area, the university, and human resources. This will be enabled by developing strong relationships across campus and fostering respectful communications and collaborations within a diverse community. Given the joint reporting relationship, this person must manage potentially conflicting interests, possess strong organizational skills, plan and schedule individual work and team work, set priorities, and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
To learn more about the Division of Human Resources transformation and to meet other directors (referred to as HR division directors internally to the university), go to https://vtx.vt.edu/articles/2022/02/hr-2022-division-director-superheroes.html
To learn more about the Office of the President, go to https://www.president.vt.edu/Office.html
To learn more about Virginia Tech Athletics, go to https://hokiesports.com/

Required Qualifications

• Ability to maintain discretion and the highest ethical and professional standards while dealing with confidential information.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in organizational development and change management.
• Recent progressive and consultative HR experience in a complex organization with diverse cultures, and operating environments, including experience providing forward-facing strategic recommendations, working with senior leadership, and influencing and managing people and projects through direct and indirect supervisory roles.
• Related bachelor’s degree with significant related experience in human resources.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with quickly shifting priorities.
• Increasing levels of responsibility to include a broad HR Generalist background with experience in multiple disciplines such as talent acquisition, talent management, talent development, performance management, compensation, and more.
• Management level experience delivering HR services.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant and increasing levels of HR responsibility within higher education.
• Related HR certifications such as SPHR or SHRM-SCP.
• Experience working within a division one athletic department.
• Experience with multiple roles and perspectives desirable.
• Master’s degree in human resources, management, or related field.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with education and experience with a salary range of $115,000 - $135,000 per year

Review Date

May 29, 2023

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.