College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Human Resources Manager

Job Description

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is seeking an energetic, strategic, and forward-thinking Human Resources Manager to serve as a key leader within the CALS HR team. This role presents a unique opportunity to help shape the future of HR within one of Virginia Tech’s most mission-driven and rapidly evolving colleges, supporting academic units and Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs) that advance discovery, education, and global impact.
Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the HR Manager will serve as a trusted advisor, operational leader, and strategic partner responsible for supporting approximately 700 faculty and staff across CALS academic units and ARECs. The HR Manager will oversee two HR Coordinators, providing mentorship and professional development to elevate their roles while strengthening the college’s overall HR capability.
This role will be instrumental in advancing CALS’ HR function by enhancing recruitment strategy, building scalable HR infrastructure, improving onboarding and training programs, strengthening compensation analysis, and developing innovative HR tools and resources to support organizational growth.
This position is ideal for an HR professional who is passionate about building systems, developing people, using data to inform decisions, and contributing to a collaborative academic environment. The HR Manager will play a critical role in strengthening CALS’ ability to attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent in support of the college’s teaching, research, Extension, and philanthropic missions.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
Significant professional HR experience demonstrating progressively responsible roles and strategic HR partnership;
Experience supporting recruitment, compensation analysis, employee relations, and HR operations;
Demonstrated experience mentoring, coaching, or supervising HR staff or team members;
Strong knowledge of HR principles, employment law, and HR best practices;
Proven ability to build relationships and influence leaders across a complex organization;
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment;
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR);
Experience in higher education, academic HR, or a decentralized organizational environment;
Experience supporting faculty hiring, faculty lines, or academic workforce structures;
Experience with compensation analysis and workforce analytics;
Experience developing HR programs, onboarding initiatives, or training programs;
Experience using HRIS systems, applicant tracking systems, and HR data tools.

Overtime Status

Exempt:
Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week

40; M-F 8:00 a.m.

- 5:00 p.m.

Review Date

03/13/2026

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, aschool of medicine, aveterinary 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…