Director of People Operations and Employee Experience

Mission:
At VCU, we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

Summary:
VCU’s School of Education (SOE) seeks a Director of People Operations and Employee Experience who embraces diversity, equity and inclusion and will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. At VCU, we believe different perspectives and expertise enhance possibilities and solutions. This philosophy drives our recruitment process, so we welcome applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, who will contribute to an already diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.

The Director of People Operations (DPO) will be responsible for overseeing the HR function for the School and will lead the HR unit by embracing service excellence through human resource leadership, support, consultation, and collaboration. The Director of People Operations and Employee Experience will report directly to the Executive Director of Finance and Business Administration. The director will lead an HR Professional and an HR Associate, and provide matrixed oversight to SOE’s center HR staff. The Director of People Operations will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and a valued member of the leadership team. Candidates will also need to have demonstrated experiences and leadership in advancing access, equity, and quality for underrepresented and historically marginalized populations. This includes a commitment to addressing diversity, inclusion, social justice and equity in administrative, management and leadership functions. While not an all-inclusive list, the DPO will:

- Promote service excellence within the HR function for the School and ensure effective, efficient, and timely HR processing foundational to operations.
-Promote and cultivate an inclusive and equitable culture designed to enhance the positive employee experience for all faculty and staff within the School.
- Provide leadership and guidance on complex and confidential faculty and staff matters, including contract development and execution, performance management, recruitment, compensation management, and serve as a liaison and confidant in employee relation matters.
- Focus on continual improvement of internal HR processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the unit.
- Collaborate with the School’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee to implement more equitable hiring and promotion best practices.
- Ensure seamless onboarding and offboarding processes for incoming and outgoing employees.
- Identify and lead training initiatives for the School as needed.
- Develop programs to enhance and sustain employee engagement among the School.
- Lead special projects and initiatives as identified by senior leadership.


Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university in a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong work ethic and commitment to integrity and ethics.
- Proven record of managing complex systems.
- Proven record of working in fast-paced and agile environments.
- Proven experience handling confidential matters.
- Demonstrated experience in fostering and advancing a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment and commitment to doing so as a staff member and leader in in the School of Education and at VCU.
- Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills with a service-oriented mindset.
- Experience training and leading development initiatives for employees and/or stakeholders.


Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or terminal degree
- SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or PHR/SPHR certification
- Experience within a higher education setting


Required
Cover Letter
CV/Resume
Diversity Statement

Salary Range: $85,000 - $110,000



Position Details:

Department: Human Resources
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 100%
Exemption Status: Exempt



Contact Information:

Contact Name: Tybias Whitehead

Contact Email: whiteheadt3@vcu.edu