Human Resources Director

Full-time, exempt, 40 hours/week

In-Person

$85,000-$117,000

Reports to: Vice President of People and Operations

VLGS Benefits and PTO include: 

- Full benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.). 

- 403b including 4% employer contribution.

- 2 weeks of paid vacation in addition to paid personal and sick days. 

- 11 paid holidays plus two weeks of paid days off for Summer and Winter breaks. 

- Employee Assistance Program.

- VLGS course participation with tuition assistance.

- Flexible schedule potential. 

Vermont Law and Graduate School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We grow and learn better together with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students. In recruiting for faculty and staff, we seek unique backgrounds to enrich and challenge our community.

Position Summary:

The Director of Human Resources serves as a Human Resources leader responsible for institutional employment compliance, employee relations, immigration administration, leave and accommodation programs, policy development, faculty employment administration, and workplace investigations. Reporting to the Vice President of People and Operations, the Director provides strategic guidance to campus leaders, develops and implements institutional policies and programs, and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.

The Director partners closely with leadership, legal counsel, and managers across the institution to advance organizational effectiveness, support a positive employee experience, and maintain employment practices that align with Vermont Law and Graduate School's values and strategic priorities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Employment Compliance and Risk Management

· Provide strategic oversight of institutional employment compliance programs.

· Lead internal audits and corrective action initiatives related to HR compliance. 

· Monitor changes in federal, state, and local employment laws and assess institutional impact.

· Conduct audits of personnel records, I-9 documentation, leave administration, and employment practices.

· Coordinate required reporting including EEO, IPEDS, ABA, DOL, and related surveys.

· Maintain required notices, postings, and compliance documentation.

· Review and update HR policies, employee handbooks, and procedures.

· Partner with legal counsel on compliance issues and risk mitigation strategies.

· Advise managers and leadership regarding employment practices, policy interpretation, and Human Resources procedures.

Immigration and Employment Authorization

· Coordinate employment-based immigration processes with outside counsel.

· Support H-1B, O-1, and permanent residency sponsorship activities when applicable.

· Track visa expirations and employment authorization requirements.

· Ensure compliance with Form I-9 requirements and employment eligibility verification processes.

Leave Administration and Accommodations

· Administer FMLA, parental leave, military leave, ADA accommodations, PWFA accommodations, and related programs.

· Coordinate the interactive process and maintain required documentation.

· Provide consultation to managers regarding leave and accommodation issues.

Employee Relations and Investigations

· Conduct and oversee workplace investigations and recommend corrective actions.

· Prepare investigation documentation and recommendations.

· Advise supervisors and leadership regarding HR policies, disciplinary matters, performance management concerns, conflict resolution, and other related employee relations concerns.

Contracts and Employment Documentation

· Draft faculty employment contracts, renewals, and amendments.

· Track adjunct and faculty contracts to ensure accurate record keeping.

· Support MAPLE Initiative Fellow onboarding including tracking secondment agreements. 

· Serve as HR liaison to the Vice Dean for Faculty and Faculty Appointments Committee.

· Develop and maintain standard contract templates and employment documentation.

· Oversee the payroll process to ensure faculty contracts and related documents are accurately processed and implemented through payroll in accordance with approved terms.

Supervisory Responsibilities

· Directly supervise HR Generalist and HR Business Partner. 

· Provides guidance, training, and mentoring to HR team members. 

· Assist in establishing department priorities and goals. 

Required Education, Skills, and Experience:

· Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Legal Studies, Higher Education Administration, or related field.

· Seven to ten years of progressive Human Resources experience.

· Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying complex employment laws and HR compliance requirements.

· Experience leading workplace investigations and employee relations matters.

· Experience developing and implementing HR policies and organizational procedures.

· Strong relationship building and management skills. 

· Experience drafting contracts, policies, and employment documentation.

· Demonstrated leadership experience, preferably managing HR staff and programs. 

· Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

· Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and HRIS platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

· Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Legal Studies, Higher Education Administration, or related field.

· Experience in higher education.

· Experience supporting faculty employment administration.

· Experience coordinating employment-based immigration matters.

· SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or related certification.

Other Requirements

· 85% computer-related work.

· Primary work performed while sitting and/or standing at a desk.

· Must be able to work legally within the United States without sponsorship.

· Ability to perform all essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Application Requirements:

Please attach a resume and cover letter for consideration. If you are applying from a third party website (Indeed, etc.) and are unable to attach additional materials to your online application, please apply directly at https://www.vermontlaw.edu/community/about-vls/employment-opportunities.

As part of our commitment to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, candidates who meet the qualifications for this position and who require accommodations to apply should contact Human Resources at jobs@vermontlaw.edu. Vermont Law and Graduate School strives to raise the bar for being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, place of birth, marital status, disability, veteran's status, HIV status, pregnancy, genetic information, health insurance status, and crime victim status.

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