Human Resources Senior Generalist

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Shenandoah University’s Office of Human Resources invites applications for a Human Resources Senior Generalist. This is a full-time benefited position located on our main campus in Winchester, Virginia.

The role emphasizes training, leave administration (FMLA/PMLA), EAP coordination, and regulatory compliance. You will lead on-campus training initiatives, support confidential employee matters, and collaborate with supervisors to promote a compliant campus.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required; bachelor’s preferred in HR, business, or related field.
• 3–5 years in higher education HR, with training and employee benefits knowledge.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills with empathy and professionalism.
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with HRIS systems such as Ellucian Colleague.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for EAP, train employees, and manage access to platforms.
• Develop and facilitate HR training programs and new employee orientations.
• Oversee leave processing, including FMLA/PMLA, and disability programs.
• Lead regulatory reporting, audits, and compliance activities.
• Support workers' compensation and fringe audits; assist payroll reporting.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Discretion with sensitive matters

Training and development

Collaboration

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business

Tools

Microsoft Excel

HRIS (Ellucian Colleague)

Recruiting/onboarding platforms

Job description

Shenandoah University’s Office of Human Resources is acceptingapplications for a Human Resources Senior Generalist. This is afull-time benefited position located on our main campus inWinchester, Virginia.

If you are an HR professional who brings a collaborative spirit, ananalytical mindset for compliance, and the discretion needed tohandle sensitive employee situations with professionalism, this isyour opportunity to make a meaningful impact across our campuscommunity. Shenandoah University is seeking a highly organizedSenior Generalist to collaborate with our team. In this in-person(on campus) role, you will lead impactful employee traininginitiatives, oversee specialized leave and disability programs, andchampion our regulatory compliance and auditing efforts. Successfulcandidates will possess 3 to 5 years of professional experience,advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, and a proven ability to handleconfidential and sensitive matters with utmostprofessionalism.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as the primary point of contact for the EmployeeAssistance Program (EAP), setting up, promoting training sessionsfor employees, and managing access to all EAP platforms.
• Develop and facilitate quarterly (or otherwise directed) HRtraining programs and in-person professional developmentopportunities. Provide supervisors with resources includingpublications and management templates.
• Develop and lead new employee orientations.
• Identify University-wide training needs and coordinate thelogistics for relevant programs.
• Build trust and open communication with supervisors. Lead opencommunity forum conversations with supervisors and staff.

Specialty Leave Processing:

• FMLA/PMLA Management: Oversee the Family and Medical Leave Act(FMLA) process, including determining eligibility and providingofficial notices; implement Virginia PMLA in 2028.
• Parental Leave: Administer the Parental Leave policy, inaccordance with university policy.
• Disability Programs (STD/LTD): Act as the liaison forshort-term (STD) and long-term (LTD) disability claims through thevendor. Guide employees and ensure all leave plans(medical/vacation) are exhausted as required.
• General leave support: Process administrative requirements forJury Duty, bereavement, and other miscellaneous leave types toensure accurate payroll and benefit reporting.

Auditing and Compliance:

• Workers' Compensation Audit: Lead the annual WC audit bycompiling summarized payroll reports, job duty summaries, andquarterly tax records.
• Fiscal Year and Fringe Audits: Support the fiscal year auditsby preparing accrued salary reports, and lead the retirement auditsfor SU benefit programs.
• Regulatory Reporting: Complete required annual reporting,including PCORI fees, US Census Bureau reporting, and otherassignments as assigned.
• Service Awards: Track employee eligibility for service awardsbased on cumulative years of service.

Job duties and tasks will be assigned at any time in response tothe growing needs of Human Resources and ShenandoahUniversity.

Required Skills

• Minimum: Associate’s degree. Preferred: Bachelor’s degree froman accredited college or university in Human Resources, BusinessAdministration, or a related field.
• 3-5 Years in higher education or a Human Resources setting.Specific type of work: training and development, knowledge ofemployer-paid benefits.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, including theability to handle sensitive employee leave situations with empathyand professionalism, are required.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (for auditing) andfamiliarity with HRIS systems such as Ellucian Colleague andrecruiting/onboarding platforms.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on acomputer.
• Must be able to lift 10 lbs.

Work Environment:

• General office setting.
• The office is on the 3rd floor and has no elevator access.

Shenandoah University values individuals and communities'unique and diverse perspectives locally and globally. It seeks tofoster mutual understanding in an inviting community whereindividuals are welcome and respected. The university does notdiscriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy,sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic or national origin,age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran’sstatus, or on any other basis protected under applicablelaw.

Salary Range

$50,000.00 - $55,000.00

Salary Type

Not Applicable