HR Generalist – Compensation & HR Operations

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Retirement plan

Well-being resources

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking a data‑driven HR Generalist with a strong emphasis on compensation analysis to support pay decisions, equity, and planning. You will partner with leaders, manage onboarding, benefits, policy interpretation, and HRIS data while contributing to the broader people strategy.

The role supports recruitment, employee relations, and HR projects in a hybrid work environment, reporting to the Office of Research. A strong analytical mindset is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in HR, business, finance, or related field.
• 3–5+ years of progressive HR generalist experience with compensation analysis.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and translate findings into recommendations.
• Proficiency with Excel and HRIS for data management.

Responsibilities

• Support compensation analyses to assess internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Provide HR generalist support including onboarding, policy interpretation, and employee relations.
• Maintain HRIS data and employee records with accuracy.
• Develop dashboards and reports communicating compensation trends to leaders.
• Assist with merit, bonus, and compensation review processes.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and HR policies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

HR knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field

Tools

Excel (PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP)

HRIS

Job description

Make a Difference in the Employee Experience! 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! Unit: VP Research MBU Department: Office of Research Department Summary: At the VCU Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, our mission is to foster transformative research, discovery, and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service. We partner with faculty in all schools and departments as they seek funding, plan studies, establish collaborations, calculate budgets, submit grant applications, negotiate industry contracts, and secure patents and licensing agreements. Our commitment to supporting and elevating the research community at VCU has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation’s premier public research universities. Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take on challenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most and position the university as a national leader in research, innovation, creativity, and scholarship.

Duties & Responsibilities

Position Summary

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.

Key Responsibilities

Compensation & Compensation Analysis

• Conduct regular analysis of salaries, wages, and total compensation using internal compensation data to evaluate internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Analyze internal compensation data to identify pay compression, equity concerns, and other compensation trends.
• Prepare compensation analyses and recommendations for hiring, promotions, merit increases, market adjustments, and other pay decisions.
• Partner with HR leadership and managers to evaluate compensation changes and ensure alignment with established compensation philosophy and guidelines.
• Support annual merit, bonus, and compensation review processes, including data preparation, modeling, and reporting.
• Maintain accurate compensation data and ensure HRIS records reflect approved compensation changes.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and presentations that communicate compensation trends and insights to HR and business leaders.
• Assist with job evaluations, job leveling, job descriptions, and the alignment of roles within the organization's compensation framework.
• Monitor compensation practices and relevant regulatory requirements and elevate potential compliance concerns as appropriate.

HR Generalist Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

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.

Only applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered

• 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.

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by October 30, 2026.

Salary Range:

commensurate up to $82,000

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: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 92322 - Open

Contact Information

Contact Name: Amanda Martens

Contact Email: [e-mail]