Director of Human Resources – College of Natural Resources and Environment

Virginia Tech is seeking a Director of Human Resources for the College of Natural Resources and Environment in Blacksburg, VA. The role involves strategic HR leadership, overseeing talent acquisition, development, and employee relations. The director will collaborate with the college dean and the HR leadership team to align HR strategies with the university's mission. The position requires experience in HR management within a complex organizational 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.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),
Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a
hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be
leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution
that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the
world, Virginia Tech is an
inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and
creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse
enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and
professional students in eight
undergraduate colleges , a
school of medicine , a
veterinary medicine college,
Graduate School , and
Honors College . The university has a significant presence
across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C.
area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites
in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous
Extension offices and
research institutes . A leading global research institution,
Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research
annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional
development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable
contributions to university shared governance provide important
representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique
and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or
applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including
pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic
information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation,
race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or
otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire
about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation
of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected
by law.

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.