"Director of Human Resources – College of Natural Resources and Environment"

Job Description

Based in Blacksburg, Virginia, with locations in every county in the Commonwealth, Virginia Tech is a top 25 public research university. Under the leadership of a dynamic President, the university is growing in Blacksburg and expanding its presence across Virginia, most notably at the Health Science and Technology campus in Roanoke and the regional presence in the DC metropolitan area.

As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and a leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers approximately 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across the commonwealth and manages a research portfolio of more than $650 million.

With more than 7500 staff, professional, and wage employees, and an additional 3000+ teaching and research faculty, the university fulfills its role as a land-grant institution by fostering a collaborative environment that integrates technology into all disciplines, so that the Virginia Tech community can serve as a force for positive change around the commonwealth, the country, and the world.

The College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE) at Virginia Tech is nationally recognized for its leadership in advancing the science, management, and stewardship of natural resources and environmental systems. CNRE provides a highly interdisciplinary academic and research environment, where 1000+ undergraduates and 300+ graduate students engage with over 200+ faculty and staff, and multiple partners and stakeholders, to collaborate and address complex challenges related to sustainability, resilience, and resource management at local to global scales. The college encompasses a diverse portfolio of programs, across 11 majors, such as forestry, wildlife and fisheries conservation, sustainable packaging and materials, and geography, unified by a strong commitment to innovation, experiential learning, and global engagement. The degree programs are unique in the Commonwealth and are a strength for the college. CNRE currently ranks fourth among colleges at Virginia Tech with research expenditures over $23 million.

Virginia Tech is seeking an accomplished and visionary human resources professional to serve in the position of Director of Human Resources for the college. This position will report jointly to the Assistant Vice President for HR Consulting and Strategic Services within the Division of Human Resources and the dean of the college. Working as part of both the larger HR organization and the college administration, the HR director will align and execute unit-based HR strategy with the university’s mission and strategy.

The incumbent will provide strategic and tactical leadership, consulting, and resources for all talent-related activities, including acquisition, development, management, and engagement. Responsibilities include oversight and/or coordination of hiring and onboarding activities, training programs, performance management and employee relations, position management, workforce planning and staffing, recruiting, retention strategies, and succession planning. This individual will serve as the key strategy collaborator with the dean while also serving as a member of the Division of Human Resources leadership team.

To carry out these responsibilities, the incumbent must be proactive, a strategic thinker, able to understand the critical importance of planning and program delivery, able to successfully balance competing values, and able to align recommendations and actions with the strategies of the university. Success in this position will rely heavily on awareness of the culture and environment within CNRE, the university, and the Division of Human Resources. This will be enabled by developing strong relationships across campus and fostering respectful communications and collaborations within a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.

Given the joint reporting relationship, the incumbent must manage potentially conflicting interests, possess strong organizational skills, plan and schedule individual work and teamwork, set priorities, and independently manage multiple projects and deadlines. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record in building strong relationships with a diverse group of individuals within a collaborative and collegial environment.

To learn about other HR Division Directors, go to: https://www.hr.vt.edu/about/leadership/division-directors.html

To learn more about the College of Natural Resources and Environment, go to: https://cnre.vt.edu/

Required Qualifications

• Related bachelor’s degree with significant related experience in a professional human resources role
• Recent progressive and consultative HR experience in a complex organization with diverse cultures and operating environments, including experience providing forward-facing strategic recommendations, working with senior leadership, and influencing and managing people and projects through direct and indirect supervisory roles
• Increasing levels of responsibility to include a broad HR Generalist background with experience in multiple disciplines such as talent acquisition, talent management, talent development, performance management, compensation, and more
• Experience working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with quickly shifting priorities
• Strong interpersonal communications skills
• Ability to maintain discretion and the highest ethical and professional standards while managing confidential information
• Management level experience delivering HR services

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human resources, management, or related field
• Related HR certification such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR
• Significant and increasing levels of HR responsibility within higher education
• Experience leading HR programs across multiple geographical locations
• Experience providing HR services to teaching and research faculty

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Salary range of $120,000 - $135,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

3/3/2026

Additional Information

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

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Zach LaCroix at zlacroix@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.