Systemwide Advisor for Employee Relations & Regulatory Compliance

Title: Systemwide Advisor for Employee Relations & Regulatory Compliance

Agency: VCCS-System Office

Location: Richmond (City) - 760

FLSA: Exempt

Hiring Range: $120,000 to $147,000

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description:

Virginia's community colleges have a 50-year track record of educational excellence and innovation to serve the needs of our citizens and strengthen the Commonwealth's economy. When Virginia's General Assembly established the Virginia Community College System in 1966, the need for a comprehensive system was well known. Over the two decades after the end of World War II, leaders in government, business, professional sectors, and academia had called for a new approach to providing educational opportunity. A key concern was Virginia's ability to develop a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to expand the state's economy. Today our community colleges give every Virginian the opportunity to gain a quality education. With 23 colleges on 40 campuses located throughout the state, Virginia's Community Colleges are committed to serving Virginia families, helping them acquire the knowledge and skills to seize the opportunities of today and tomorrow.

The Systemwide Advisor for Employee Relations and Regulatory Compliance provides systemwide expertise, guidance, and case management for employee relations matters across all 23 community colleges, the System Office, and the Shared Services Center. This role oversees complex workplace issues, ensures consistent interpretation and application of VCCS and DHRM policies, and leads the coordination of EEOC responses, grievance processes, and high-risk investigations. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing system-wide policies that ensure a consistent employee experience.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, the Director strengthens fairness, accountability, and employee success across the VCCS by serving as a trusted advisor to HR leaders, supervisors, and executive leadership.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Employee Relations Leadership

• Serve as the primary systemwide resource for employee relations consultation, providing guidance to college HR teams and supervisors on performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, and disciplinary processes.
• Lead or support complex and sensitive workplace investigations involving misconduct, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or policy violations.
• Provide recommendations for resolution that align with VCCS values, DHRM policy, and legal requirements.
• Coach HR staff and supervisors on effective documentation, communication, and case management practices.
• Counsel and train supervisors/managers in lawful and effective techniques in applying HR policy, rules and regulations.
• Support collective bargaining preparations and provide expert interpretation of labor agreements to local HR partners.

EEOC & External Complaint Management

• Lead the development, coordination, and submission of EEOC responses, OCR inquiries, and other external complaint documentation for the VCCS.
• Partner with the Office of System Counsel, college leadership, and HR teams to gather evidence, conduct interviews, and ensure timely, accurate, and defensible responses.
• Identify trends and recommend proactive strategies to reduce risk and strengthen equitable employment practices.
• Develop standardized investigation protocols and training to ensure every VCCS employee receives a fair, thorough, and unbiased review process regardless of their location.

Grievance Process Administration

• Serve as the system's subject matter expert on classified and faculty grievance procedures.
• Advise colleges on grievance steps, timelines, documentation, and hearing preparation.
• Coordinate with DHRM, hearing officers, and college leadership to ensure compliance with state grievance statutes and policies.
• Maintain systemwide grievance records and reporting.

Policy Interpretation & Compliance

• Provide authoritative interpretation of VCCS policies, DHRM policies, and applicable state and federal employment laws.
• Develop guidance materials, decision tools, and training to support consistent policy application across the system.
• Monitor legislative and policy changes; advise stakeholders on implications and required actions.
• Recommend policy updates or new policies based on emerging needs and systemwide trends.

Training, Capacity Building & Systemwide Support

• Develop and deliver training for HR teams, supervisors, and leaders on employee relations, investigations, grievance processes, and policy compliance.
• Support systemwide initiatives to strengthen HR consistency, equity, and employee experience.
• Serve as a liaison between colleges, the Shared Services Center, and the System Office to ensure coordinated, high-quality HR service delivery.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate case documentation and records for employee relations, grievances, and EEOC matters.
• Analyze trends to identify systemic issues and recommend improvements to processes, training, or policy.
• Contribute to systemwide HR metrics, dashboards, and reporting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
• Progressive experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, or HR consulting in a complex organization.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, and ADA, EEOC guidelines and regulations, and HR policies.
• Experience drafting EEOC responses, conducting complex investigations, or administering grievance processes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and sound judgment.
• Ability to resolve employment related issues before they escalate to grievances, EEOC charges, or litigation.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders across multiple institutions.
• Proven ability to lead projects, manage competing priorities, and drive systemwide alignment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in complex, multi site organizations.

Additional Considerations:

• Investigative Rigor & Documentation
• Policy Expertise & Interpretation
• Equity-Centered Decision Making
• Conflict Resolution & Mediation
• Confidentiality & Professional Integrity
• Relationship Building & Consultation
• System-Level Thinking & Collaboration

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer