(Senior) Human Resources Generalist

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VT); Blacksburg (VA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech’s National Security Institute (VTNSI) seeks a (Senior) HR Generalist to provide embedded HR leadership within a research-driven environment. You will partner with leadership, oversee recruitment, employee relations, performance, compensation, HRIS and compliance, ensuring audit-ready processes.

Reporting lines include the NSI Chief of Staff and ORI HR, with a hybrid work model and on-site presence in Blacksburg, VA. A US Person status is required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in HR, Business Administration, Management, or related field, or a bachelor’s with significant HR experience.
• Experience supporting HR functions: recruitment, onboarding/offboarding, compensation, performance, employee relations, training.
• Ability to interpret complex HR policies and regulations with accuracy and professionalism.
• Strong knowledge of HR systems and data management for decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills for process improvement.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across stakeholders.
• US Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) required.

Responsibilities

• Partner with institute leadership and ORI HR to plan workforce strategies.
• Lead recruitment lifecycle and sourcing strategies.
• Manage HR operations and employee lifecycle activities with data integrity.
• Develop and use workforce data metrics to support planning and decisions.
• Serve as lead HR contact on employee relations and policy interpretation.
• Provide HR training and resources to leaders and employees.
• Supervise HR staff and improve service delivery.
• Communicate university, state, and federal HR policies with stakeholders.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Recruitment

Performance management

Data analytics

HRIS

Recruitment software

Education

Master’s degree in HR or related field

Bachelor’s degree with significant HR experience

Tools

HRIS

Data management systems

Job description

Job Description

The (Senior) HR Generalist serves as a key member of the Virginia Tech National Security Institute’s (VTNSI) administrative team, providing embedded HR leadership within a complex, research-driven environment. This role leads and administers human resources operations across the institute while proactively translating evolving research and programmatic needs into HR actions. The position provides both operational and consultative HR support across recruitment, employee relations, performance management, compensation, training, HRIS/data management, and compliance by exercising a high level of judgment, confidentiality, and autonomy.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, NSI, with a functional reporting line to the HR director in the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI), the position will be responsible for:

• Partnering with institute leadership, stakeholder groups, and ORI HR to develop and execute workforce planning strategies aligned with sponsored project-based and operational staffing models, and organizational priorities.
• Leading talent acquisition and recruitment efforts by advising on workforce planning, position design, classification and compensation analysis, and sourcing strategies, while overseeing the full recruitment lifecycle to ensure a compliant and positive candidate experience in evolving competitive talent markets.
• Managing HR operations and employee lifecycle activities, including onboarding, offboarding, employment changes, records management, and data integrity by ensuring accurate, audit-ready, defensible, compliant, and efficient processes.
• Developing, analyzing, and using workforce data metrics, reports, and data-driven insight to support operational planning, organizational decision-making, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serving as the institute’s lead HR contact on employee relations, policy interpretation, organizational design, workforce decisions, and change management, coordinating with ORI HR director to address complex personnel matters and ensuring alignment with university policies and strategic HR initiatives.
• Identifying and delivering HR-related training, guidance, and resources for leaders, managers, and employees on HR policies, processes, talent development, employee relations, compliance requirements, and workplace best practices.
• Supervising HR staff by overseeing transactional HR processes, fostering professional development, improving service-delivery, and driving operational effectiveness and process improvement initiatives.
• Interpreting, applying, and effectively communicating university, state, and federal HR policies, procedures, and employment regulations while accurately advising leaders, managers, and employees on policy-related matters and ensuring consistent compliance across the institute.
• Maintaining strong collaborative partnerships with institute leadership and ORI HR while ensuring accountability for institute-level HR outcomes and compliance with university, state, and federal policies, guidelines, and practices.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or a related field, or a bachelor’s degree with significant progressively responsible professional HR experience.
• Demonstrated human resources experience supporting HR functional areas, including recruitment, onboarding/offboarding, compensation, performance management, employee relations, and training.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, apply, and advise on complex university, state, and federal employment policies, procedures, and regulations with a high degree of accuracy, judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
• Strong knowledge of HR systems, data management practices, and personnel processes, with demonstrated ability to maintain data integrity, analyze workforce information, and support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while exercising sound judgment and maintaining attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, including the ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement effective operational solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship management skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with faculty, staff, leadership, and administrative partners across a complex organization.
• Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality, customer service, professionalism, and inclusive workplace practices.
• Due to the nature of work conducted by the organization, the successful candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising managers and organizational leadership on HR-related matters, including workforce planning and development strategy, organizational effectiveness, employee relations, and policy interpretation. (Required at the senior level)
• Experience supervising or leading HR support staff and coordinating operational workflows. (Required at the senior level)
• Experience working in a higher education or research environment.
• Experience developing or analyzing HR reports, metrics, or workforce data to support decision-making.
• Professional HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience: Generalist starting at $70,000; Senior Generalist starting at $75,000.

Hours per week

40 hours per week

Review Date

October 5, 2026

Additional Information

Due to the nature of work conducted by the organization, the successful candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident). This position is hybrid, with a required weekly on-site presence in Blacksburg, VA.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, a Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Kaitlin Winfree at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.