Unit: Office Of The Provost MBU
Department: Academic Operations
Department Summary: The Office of the Provost provides academic leadership for Virginia Commonwealth University, advancing the institution’s mission through excellence in teaching, research, and student success. As the chief academic office of the university, the Provost’s team oversees academic policy, faculty affairs, curriculum development, accreditation, and strategic initiatives that support VCU’s diverse community of scholars and educators. The office partners closely with schools and colleges across both the Monroe Park and VCU Health campuses to promote a thriving academic environment grounded in integrity, equity, and innovation. Through collaborative leadership and a commitment to faculty and student success, the Office of the Provost ensures the academic quality, operational effectiveness, and forward momentum of VCU’s academic enterprise.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The Senior Consultant for Faculty Employee Relations provides expert consultation to Virginia Commonwealth University’s schools and colleges on complex faculty personnel matters. This role serves as the university’s primary subject matter expert on faculty employee relations, ensuring consistent application of employment laws, university policies, and best practices in higher education. Reporting to the Executive Director of Faculty Human Resources and also working closely with the Executive Director of Human Resources in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, this position partners with academic leadership, HR Business Partners, the Office of Faculty Affairs, the Office of University Counsel, and other stakeholders to manage risk, promote fair and consistent processes, and support a positive and compliant academic workplace.
This role is responsible for guiding HR Business Partners and academic leaders through faculty employee relations matters and providing expert counsel on policy interpretation, discipline, investigations, and resolution strategies. The Senior Consultant plays a key role in ensuring that employee issues are handled with integrity, sound judgment, and in alignment with VCU’s organizational values and legal standards.
Key Responsibilities:
Faculty Employee Relations Consulting
Serve as the primary consultant to HR business partners and school/college academic leadership on complex faculty personnel matters.
Provide expert guidance on misconduct, behavioral or performance concerns, policy interpretation, progressive discipline, and separation processes.
Assist in drafting and/or reviewing disciplinary letters.
Provide guidance for faculty contract actions
Advise leadership on risk mitigation strategies and appropriate courses of action in sensitive and high-visibility matters.
Provide guidance for compliance inquiries and support University Counsel during any litigation processes.
Ensure consistent application of university policies and procedures, as well as compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
Investigations and Case Management
Lead or partner on investigations involving faculty conduct matters, as needed, working closely with the Office of Integrity and Compliance and other external offices as appropriate.
Develop investigation plans, interview witnesses, review documentation, and prepare detailed investigative reports with findings and recommendations.
Ensure thorough documentation and compliance with legal and organizational standards during investigations and case management.
Compliance
Interpret and apply federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, advising HR Business Partners and academic leadership during strategic consultations.
Provide proactive guidance to ensure institutional compliance and minimize legal risk.
Contribute closely to the development, review, and revision of faculty personnel policies and procedures.
Collaborate with the Office of Faculty Affairs, HR leadership, legal counsel, and other offices as applicable to ensure alignment across faculty processes.
Identify trends in faculty employee relations issues and recommend proactive interventions or training initiatives.
Training & Education
Develop and deliver training related to faculty progressive discipline, performance management, investigations/fact-finding, and compliance.
Provide coaching for managers and HR professionals on best practices for conflict resolution and handling faculty employee relations matters.
Promote early intervention strategies to reduce escalation of workplace disputes.
Support for Ongoing Improvement to the Faculty Experience
Participate in developing and maintaining the faculty exit survey
Monitor faculty exit survey responses
Meet with exiting faculty who wish to speak with someone regarding their VCU experience
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Significant progressive experience in employee relations or a closely related field, including managing complex personnel matters and coaching HR professionals, business leaders, and staff through employee relations issues.
Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership on high-risk or sensitive personnel matters.
Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing investigative reports.
Sound judgment and strong facilitator skills with a demonstrated ability to effectively de-escalate and resolve conflict
Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulatory requirements.
Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Exceptional organizational skills.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to academic leaders and positively influence others to strategically solve problems.
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Experience working with relevant technology (i.e. case management software)
Must be able to work both collaboratively and independently with minimal supervision, making sound decisions in collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex cases simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree (e.g., JD, MHRM, MBA, etc.).
Experience working with faculty in a higher education setting.
Familiarity with tenure systems, shared governance, faculty contracts, and academic personnel policies.
Professional HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or other HR or employee relations certification).
Experience in a public university environment.
Salary Range: $87,000-$120,000
Priority Consideration Date: March 29, 2026 | 5:00pm
Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid
University Job Title: 23911-23913 - Administrator HR 1-3
