HR Generalist – Compensation & HR Operations

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking a people-focused HR Generalist who thrives on building relationships, supporting employees, and partnering with leaders to create a positive, inclusive workplace. Bring your HR expertise, problem-solving skills, and analytical mindset to support employees throughout their journey while helping the organization grow and succeed. Join VCU and make a meaningful impact on the people who make our university exceptional!

• →Serve as a trusted HR resource for employees and managers, providing guidance on HR policies, procedures, and employee-related matters.
• →Support the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, transfers, promotions, organizational changes, and offboarding.
• →Assist with employee relations matters, including documentation, investigations, performance management, and policy interpretation.
• →Partner with managers on performance management and employee development processes.
• →Maintain employee records and ensure data accuracy within the HRIS.
• →Support benefits administration and respond to employee questions regarding benefits and HR programs.
• →Assist with recruiting activities, including job postings, compensation recommendations, interview processes, and new-hire onboarding.
• →Support the development and implementation of HR policies, programs, and initiatives.
• →Prepare recurring and ad hoc HR reports and analyses.
• →Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• →Participate in HR projects and process-improvement initiatives as needed.

We are seeking an experienced and analytical HR Generalist with a strong emphasis on compensation analysis to support our people strategy and day-to-day human resources operations. This role will serve as a key resource for employees and managers for recruitment, onboarding, position establishment, offboarding, benefits, employee relations, policy interpretation, HRIS data management while providing data-driven compensation insights to support pay decisions, internal equity, market competitiveness, and organizational planning.

The ideal candidate combines strong HR generalist knowledge with a demonstrated ability to analyze compensation data and translate data into clear recommendations for leaders.

Minimum Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5+ years of progressive HR generalist experience, with demonstrated experience in compensation analysis or administration.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret compensation and HR data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including functions such as PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and data analysis.
• Experience working with an HRIS and maintaining confidential employee and compensation data.
• Strong understanding of HR practices, employee relations, performance management, and employment regulations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with employees, managers, and senior leaders.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience performing compensation analysis
• Experience working in government or higher education
• Experience supporting annual compensation review and merit processes.
• Knowledge of pay equity analysis and compensation compliance.
• Experience with HR analytics and dashboard/reporting tools.
• HR certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.
• Advanced Excel or data visualization skills.