Human Resources Director

Staff Openings • South Royalton, VT

52d • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Directly supervise HR Generalist and HR Business Partner.
• Provides guidance, training, and mentoring to HR team members.
• Assist in establishing department priorities and goals.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager