Director of Human Resources

DHRM•Richmond, VA

2d•$160,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Human Resources leads human resources strategy and service delivery for the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), supporting a workforce spanning numerous offices, customer contact centers, central office functions, and the new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. This role strengthens agency-wide workforce planning, talent acquisition, employee relations, compliance, succession planning, organizational design, and HR service delivery. A defining priority of this position is enabling the PFML stand-up. The Director of Human Resources will partner with PFML program leadership to sequence and deliver hiring waves beginning with founding leadership roles and scaling through the operational hiring needed ahead of contributions beginning April 1, 2028 and benefit payments beginning December 1, 2028. This includes classification and pay band review for newly created PFML positions, high-volume recruitment and onboarding capacity, candidate experience standards, and workforce planning that keeps PFML and Unemployment Insurance (UI) operating as one agency with one consistent employee experience. The Director of Human Resources will serve as a trusted advisor to the Deputy Commissioner of Operations, agency executive leaders, managers, and supervisors on complex workforce matters, including organizational changes, hiring priorities, staffing models, employee relations, leadership capability, policy interpretation, and labor and compliance risk. The position requires strong executive communication, sound judgment, change leadership, and the ability to translate agency priorities into actionable people strategies, operating at both strategic and operational levels. The Director of Human Resources will oversee HR staff and functional delivery across recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, employee relations, equal opportunity, benefits, learning and development, performance management, HR operations, and workforce analytics, ensuring HR programs are compliant, consistent, customer-focused, and aligned with agency business needs. The role monitors and assesses the impact of changing legislation, policies, and funding, and recommends and oversees necessary adjustments. The Director of Human Resources will also make presentations, conduct training, respond to inquiries (including legal, audit, and FOIA requests), and participate in grievance, court, audit, and investigation proceedings as a technical expert representing the agency.

Requirements

Ability to operate as an enterprise-level strategic leader and trusted advisor, translating VEC, UI, and PFML priorities into workforce strategies, organizational decisions, and measurable actions rather than relying solely on established HR processes.
Ability to assess organizational needs, constructively challenge existing approaches, and develop practical, evidence-based solutions within applicable government policies, regulations, funding constraints, and operational requirements.
Ability to improve HR service delivery, streamline processes, reduce unnecessary handoffs and silos, clarify roles, and partner with business units on organizational and process-improvement work.
Ability to plan and execute time-bound workforce strategies for a new statewide program, including founding-team recruitment, classification of new roles, phased high-volume hiring, structured selection, onboarding, and workforce readiness while sustaining ongoing agency operations.
Knowledge of the workforce needs of established, customer-facing, and highly regulated operations, with the ability to balance PFML implementation demands with consistent HR support for UI and other VEC business units.
Experience leading recruitment strategy, workforce forecasting, succession planning, employer branding, candidate experience, employee development, and retention efforts across varied job families and locations.
Strong judgment in complex employee relations matters, investigations, grievances, performance issues, policy interpretation, equal opportunity, confidentiality, and compliance with federal, state, Commonwealth, and public-sector employment requirements.
Ability to use workforce metrics, performance information, stakeholder feedback, and technology-enabled tools to identify trends, inform decisions, monitor outcomes, and improve operational performance.
Ability to present clear recommendations, alternatives, risks, and resource implications; build credibility with senior leaders; and collaborate effectively with managers, employees, and cross-functional partners.
Ability to lead and develop HR teams, establish accountability for service and results, and guide organizational change, new program implementation, and culture-building with minimal disruption to VEC operations.
Must complete a Statement of Economic Interest (SOEI) form.
Must complete mandatory training on the Conflict of Interest Act (COIA).
Must successfully pass a comprehensive background check including an FBI fingerprint background investigation and an Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud background check.
Applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work in the US.

Nice To Haves

Some statewide travel may be required to meet business needs.
AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
Applicants needing accommodations should contact the Human Resource office for additional information.
Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Responsibilities

Lead human resources strategy and service delivery for the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC).
Support workforce planning, talent acquisition, employee relations, compliance, succession planning, organizational design, and HR service delivery.
Enable the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) stand-up by partnering with PFML program leadership to sequence and deliver hiring waves.
Conduct classification and pay band review for newly created PFML positions.
Manage high-volume recruitment and onboarding capacity, candidate experience standards, and workforce planning.
Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leaders on complex workforce matters.
Oversee HR staff and functional delivery across recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, employee relations, equal opportunity, benefits, learning and development, performance management, HR operations, and workforce analytics.
Ensure HR programs are compliant, consistent, customer-focused, and aligned with agency business needs.
Monitor and assess the impact of changing legislation, policies, and funding, and recommend and oversee necessary adjustments.
Make presentations, conduct training, respond to inquiries (including legal, audit, and FOIA requests), and participate in grievance, court, audit, and investigation proceedings as a technical expert.