Systemwide Advisor for Employee Relations & Regulatory Compliance

Working Title Systemwide Advisor for Employee Relations & Regulatory Compliance Role Title 12 month Administrative Faculty Role Code 01126-SW FLSA Exempt Pay Band 00 Position Number 261FA005 Agency VCCS-System Office Agency/Division System Office (Div) Work Location Richmond (City) - 760 Hiring Range $120,000 to $147,000 Emergency/Essential Personnel No EEO Category I-Faculty Full Time or Part Time Full Time Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- Yes Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? No Work Schedule

Monday to Friday and as needed.

Sensitive Position No 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.
  
  

Special Assignments

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA's/Required 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
  
  

Operation of a State Vehicle No Supervises Employees No Required Travel

Occasionally for visits to colleges and for VCCS Conferences.

Posting Number FAC_1943P Recruitment Type General Public - G Number of Vacancies 1 Position End Date (if temporary) 06/12/2026 Job Open Date 05/20/2026 Job Close Date 06/12/2026 Open Until Filled No Agency Website https://www.vccs.edu/ Contact Name Patsy Rose Email prose@vccs.edu Phone Number 804-819-4938 Special Instructions to Applicants Additional Information Background Check Statement Disclaimer

The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

EEO Statement

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

ADA Statement

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement

VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.

Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/96321