Human Resources Director

About the role

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.

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.

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.