Senior HR Generalist

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine is seeking an experienced Senior HR Generalist to provide complex HR support to faculty and staff within clinical departments. This fast-paced environment requires sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities while navigating HR systems and policies.

The Senior HR Generalist serves as a trusted adviser on recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compliance, benefits, and leave,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years in HR administration including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits and leave administration, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience managing a complex HR portfolio and advising leaders on a broad range of HR matters.
• Knowledge of HR policies, employment practices, and applicable federal and state employment laws.
• Ability to assess concerns, exercise sound judgment, identify risks, and determine actions with HR partners.
• Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment with accuracy and discretion.
• Ability to navigate multiple HR systems and adapt to changing requirements.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with leaders, supervisors, employees, and HR colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Provide complex HR support to faculty and staff within clinical departments.
• Advise department leadership on recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compliance, and payroll/leave matters.
• Support policy interpretation and ensure consistency in HR service delivery.
• Collaborate with VCU and VCU Health System HR to address concerns and facilitate resolution.
• Partner with chairs and administrators to ensure effective HR service delivery.
• Contribute to HR initiatives, process improvements, and special projects including new policies.
• Provide back-up support for SOM HR team.
• Maintain records and participate in required HR trainings.

Skills

HR policy guidance

Employee relations

Communication

Strategic advisement

Project prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

HR certification (SHRM-/PHR-/SPHR) (preferred)

Tools

HR information systems

Applicant tracking systems

Payroll/timekeeping systems

Job description

Advertising Summary: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.
https://vcujobs.com/why-richmond

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: Dean's Office - SOM HR

Duties & Responsibilities:

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 Generalists 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 Generalists, 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

Qualifications:

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!

Salary Range:

Up to $95,000; commensurate with experience

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

Restricted Position

No

ORP Eligible

No

Flexible Work Arrangement

Hybrid

University Job Title

2322S - Sr HR Generalist Senior