Director of HR Systems, Data AI Strategy

Position: Director of HR Systems, Data, & AI Strategy

Department: Human Resources

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department

The Human Resources division supports the university by designing and implementing people-centered policies, systems, and programs that enhance the employee experience and improve operational effectiveness. The unit promotes a culture of data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and strategic enablement.

About the Position

The Director, HR Systems, Data, & AI Strategy leads the strategic planning, implementation, governance, and continuous improvement of enterprise human resource information systems (HRIS) and HR data management functions. This position ensures the effective and secure use of HR technologies to support talent management, compliance, and business operations.

This role oversees two core teams:

HRIS Team

Responsible for system strategy, administration, configuration, integrations, reporting, and enhancements.

HR Data Management Team

Responsible for all personnel data entry into internal and external systems, benefits deductions and data entry audits, and ensuring compliance with strict parameters for HR data usage and access.

The Director also leads HR’s audit and reconciliation functions, ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and compliance across all HR systems. Additionally, they guide the implementation of an HR AI strategy, identifying opportunities to use AI to enhance HR service delivery, working in partnership with other HR areas to design, pilot, and deploy solutions.

This position serves as a primary liaison to IT, institutional data governance bodies, and external technology vendors.

Responsibilities HRIS Strategy and Systems Management

• Leads the design, implementation, and optimization of scalable enterprise HR systems, including HCM and related HR technology platforms, to ensure alignment with business needs in workforce administration, talent acquisition, performance management, learning, and compensation.
• Serves as product owner for ERP and third‑party solutions, including vendor management and lifecycle planning.
• Manages system configuration, upgrades, integrations, and workflow enhancements in partnership with IT and HR stakeholders.
• Acts as the HR Risk and Security Officer for HR systems, ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal data security standards.
• Oversees access management protocols, monitors system security risks, and collaborates with IT security teams to mitigate vulnerabilities; and
• Establishes policies and controls that protect sensitive personnel data and maintain audit readiness.

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Supervises and develops staff in HRIS and HR Data Management teams, as well as audit/reconciliation functions.
• Defines objectives, monitors progress, and provides coaching and professional development; and
• Fosters a culture of service excellence, collaboration, and innovation within the team.

Data Management, Governance, and Integrity

• Ensures accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of people data entry into internal and external systems.
• Oversees audits and reconciliations for benefits deductions, payroll data, and system records; and
• Enforces data governance policies, access controls, and usage guidelines to safeguard HR data.

AI Strategy and Technology Innovation

• Partners with HR functional leaders to identify AI‑enabled opportunities to enhance service delivery, automate routine processes, and improve employee experience; and
• Oversees the implementation and integration of AI tools for enhanced HR service delivery, support, and other applicable functions.

Reporting, Analytics, and Insights

• Leads design and automation of standard and ad hoc HR reports and dashboards; and
• Uses workforce analytics to support strategic decision‑making, compliance, and predictive insights.

Training, Support, and Change Management

• Provides training and support to HR and…