Senior HR Generalist

VCU’s School of Medicine is seeking an experienced, adaptable and collaborative Senior HR Generalist to provide complex human resources support to faculty and staff within clinical departments. This role operates in a fast-paced, dynamic academic medical environment and requires advanced HR knowledge, sound judgement, strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities while responding effectively to changing departmental needs.  The Senior HR Generalist must be able to navigate multiple employee systems, policies, procedures, and processes associated with VCU and the VCU Health System, adapting HR guidance and solutions to the needs of diverse clinical departments and employee populations.

The Senior HR Generalist manages a complex departmental portfolio and serves as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor to department and division leadership on HR policies, procedures, and best practices related to recruitment, hiring, onboarding, performance management, compliance, process improvement, benefits and leave, compensation, employee relations, payroll/timekeeping, and separations. The position requires the ability to assess complex situations, exercise independent judgment, shift priorities as needed, and balance routine operational responsibilities with time-sensitive and sensitive personnel matters.

The Senior HR Generalist provides front-line employee relations guidance to department and division leadership, addressing performance concerns, workplace conflicts, disciplinary processes, and other personnel matters in collaboration with VCU and VCU Health System HR, as appropriate. The position also serves as a resource for other Clinical HR Administrators by sharing expertise, providing guidance on complex HR matters, promoting consistency in policy interpretation and application, and supporting the development of effective HR practices across clinical departments.

Working closely with department chairs and administrators, the Senior HR Generalist ensures effective HR service delivery. The position contributes to School of Medicine HR initiatives, process improvements, and special projects while maintaining the flexibility and responsiveness necessary to support the evolving needs of a complex clinical enterprise.

Human Resources Management and Administration:

• →Manage day-to-day HR operations for assigned clinical departmental portfolio balancing competing priorities and ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant administration of HR functions in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
• →Provide HR support across various employee populations and organizational structures, navigating the systems, policies, procedures, and processes applicable to VCU and VCU Health System.
• →Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to pivot quickly in response to emerging concerns, urgent departmental requests, changing priorities, and evolving university or health system requirements.
• →Provide front-line employee relations guidance on performance management, workplace concerns, conflict resolution, corrective and disciplinary actions, and other sensitive personnel matters. Partners with VCU and VCU Health System HR to assess concerns, determine appropriate next steps, and facilitate resolution or escalation when necessary.
• →Serve as a resource and subject matter expert for other Clinical HR Administrators, providing guidance on complex HR questions, policy interpretation, employee relations matters, and challenging departmental situations.
• →Oversee departmental compliance with HR policies and procedures, communicate and maintain HR guidance related to leave, recruitment, compensation, and other HR functions, and advise administrators, division chairs, and supervisors on HR-related matters and departmental initiatives.
• →Apply knowledge of administrative policies and procedures, federal and state laws and policies, rules, regulations for Human Resources.
• →Maintain all records, processing needs and changes for staff and faculty, including PAF changes. Attends all required training sessions/meetings to include HR partners.
• →Provide training to all staff and faculty for VCU and VCUHS initiatives, updates, and policy/procedure changes.
• →Participate in special projects as identified in support of the School of Medicine, and VCU’s new Great Place policy and service delivery model.
• →Provide back-up support for the SOM HR team

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

• Significant progressively responsible experience (5+ years) in human resources administration, including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits and leave administration, and regulatory compliance.

• Demonstrated experience independently managing a complex HR portfolio and advising department leaders and supervisors on a broad range of HR matters.

• Demonstrated knowledge of HR policies, procedures, employment practices, and applicable federal and state employment laws.

• Ability to assess employee relations concerns, exercise sound judgment, identify potential risks, and determine appropriate courses of action in consultation with HR partners as needed.

• Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

• Ability to navigate multiple HR systems, interpret differing policies and procedures, and adapt to changing operational needs and priorities.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, build collaborative relationships, and provide guidance to leaders, supervisors, employees, and HR colleagues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.

• Five or more years of progressively responsible HR experience, preferably in a complex, decentralized organization.

• Experience supporting clinical departments, academic medicine, higher education, healthcare, or a similarly complex environment.

• Demonstrated experience providing front-line guidance on complex employee relations matters, including performance management, workplace conflict, corrective action, and disciplinary processes.

• Experience serving as a subject matter expert, mentor, or resource to other HR professionals, including providing guidance on policy interpretation and complex personnel matters.

• Experience identifying process improvement opportunities, developing HR procedures and resources, and promoting consistency in HR service delivery.

• Experience with HR information systems, applicant tracking systems, payroll/timekeeping systems, and related HR technology.

• Professional HR certification, such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.

Position will remain open until filled.  Applications received by 11/13/26 will be given priority consideration.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran's period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!