Director, HR Operations

Provides leadership to the HR Operations team through coaching, development, work assignments, performance management, and goal setting, while promoting accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and NOVEC's Core Values. The electric delivery system includes approximately 7,851 miles of overhead and underground (~70%) distribution lines and approximately 360 miles of fiber optic lines across a service territory of 651-square-miles in six Northern Virginia counties.

Energize your future by joining our team at Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC)! NOVEC's mission is to improve the quality of life for members, employees, and communities by providing safe and reliable electricity at competitive prices. NOVEC serves approximately 185,000 meters with a system demand of approximately 2,377 MWs. The electric delivery system consists of 74 substations, with five new substations under construction, supplied at either 230kV, 115kV and 35 kV ranging in size between 40MVA and 600MVA. The electric delivery system includes approximately 7,851 miles of overhead and underground (~70%) distribution lines and approximately 360 miles of fiber optic lines across a service territory of 651-square-miles in six Northern Virginia counties. NOVEC boasts electric reliability of 99.99%, a strong safety record, and substantial system growth to meet large-scale datacenter infrastructure needs. As a leader on the high-tech frontier, NOVEC is using proven, cost-effective technology to improve productivity and reliability, reduce expenses, and increase cybersecurity - a national priority. Today's technology includes what the industry calls "smart grid", as well as fiber optics, and mobile workforce. OVERVIEW: The Director, Human Resources Operations leads the day-to-day and long-term delivery of HR programs that help NOVEC attract, develop, reward, and retain the people who keep power flowing to our members. Reporting to the Vice President, Human Resources, this role oversees employee and labor relations, compensation, talent management, HR compliance, HRIS management and optimization, and HR policies and procedures. The Director serves as a trusted partner to employees and leaders, models NOVEC's Core Values, and ensures effective, consistent HR service delivery. This position is based in Manassas, Virginia, and joins an HR team of approximately 8-9 members with 4 direct reports. The successful candidate will also bring a working knowledge of, or the ability and willingness to learn, NOVEC's benefits administration, including health and wellness, 401(k) administration, retirement plans, workers' compensation, and other fringe benefits. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other related duties may be assigned. An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and effectively. Reasonable accommodation may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Employee & Labor Relations Builds and maintains relationships with employees, supervisors, and union representatives grounded in trust and respect. Serves as the subject-matter expert on performance management, partnering with leaders on goal setting, performance reviews, improvement conversations, and corrective action that is fair, consistent, well documented, and compliant with policy and applicable law. Conducts and oversees workplace investigations, resolving employee concerns promptly and impartially. Applies collective bargaining agreements to day-to-day administration, grievance handling, and contract interpretation; supports labor negotiations through bargaining data, cost analyses, and related input. Develops employee recognition programs that reinforce high performance and desired behaviors. Compensation Translates market benchmarking and compensation survey data into competitive pay structures and salary ranges, maintains internal equity, and proactively identifies and addresses pay compression. Partners with the Vice President, Human Resources to design competitive incentive programs aligned with cooperative and departmental goals. Leads the annual merit cycle, including budget modeling and guidance to leaders; oversees job evaluation, job architecture, and job description maintenance. Ensures compensation practices comply with applicable wage and hour laws, Virginia pay laws, and pay transparency requirements. Talent Management & HRIS Partners with the Senior Corporate Recruiter to lead talent acquisition strategy and works with leaders to identify talent and skill gaps and develop plans to address them. Develops and executes retention initiatives informed by turnover data, stay and exit interviews, and engagement feedback. Leads annual and long-term labor budget and staffing planning in partnership with Finance and Division leaders. Oversees onboarding and offboarding processes to deliver an effective, efficient, and consistent employee experience. Directs the team responsible for HRIS management, overseeing system administration, data integrity, reporting, upgrades, and process automation. Builds people analytics capabilities and delivers workforce metrics and insights that support decisions about workforce planning, retention, compensation, and organizational trends. Evaluates emerging HR technologies, including AI-enabled solutions, to improve efficiency while preserving thoughtful human decision-making. Leads operational improvement and organizational change initiatives to simplify and standardize HR processes and improve efficiency and service quality. Provides leadership to the HR Operations team through coaching, development, work assignments, performance management, and goal setting, while promoting accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and NOVEC's Core Values. HR Policies and Procedures Develops, updates, and interprets HR policies, procedures, and the employee handbook; advises leaders and employees and ensures consistent application and alignment with collective bargaining agreements. Monitors changes in federal and Virginia employment law and oversees HR compliance, including record retention, required postings, EEO/AA reporting, and audits. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field is required; master's degree in a directly related field is highly preferred. 12+ years of progressive human resources experience, including at least 7 years in Management level roles, with at least 3 years at the Director level and experience leading a team of 4 or more direct reports. Extensive senior-level experience leading HR operations, including compensation, benefits, and HR service delivery. Experience in a unionized environment, including CBA administration, grievance management, and support of labor negotiations is highly preferred. Utility, cooperative, manufacturing or construction experience is preferred. SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or CCP certification is preferred. Proficient working with HR AI tools such as Copilot, Claude, or similar, including practical experience evaluating AI-enabled HR technologies and applying them where they add value. Deep expertise in performance management, corrective action, and employee relations. Experience in a professional services environment, with a multi-locational organizational structure, is strongly preferred. Experience leading HRIS implementations or optimization, with strong analytical and reporting skills. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: Deep expertise in performance management, corrective action, and employee relations. Strong command of compensation design, market pricing, and incentive plan development. Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop team members in ways that support employee growth and a positive employee experience. Financial acumen and experience managing budgets between $10-20 million. Working knowledge of federal and Virginia employment law, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, and the NLRA. Proven ability to build trust, influence leaders, and handle sensitive matters with discretion. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver professional presentations to peers, executives, and board members. Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office products, especially Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Ability to travel occasionally to NOVEC facilities and work outside standard hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, labor negotiations, storm-restoration events, and other business needs. A valid driver's license, an acceptable driving record, and the ability to operate company pool vehicles as needed. Ability to maintain a telephone or personal communication device and provide contact information for routine and emergency business needs. WHAT WE OFFER: Competitive pay Premier health benefits, including an onsite wellness center Survivor and Disability benefits 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% base salary match and an additional match of your contribution at a rate of 50% up to the first 12% Life insurance Vacation, Sick and Holiday Leave Educational Assistance Annual Company Events If you're ready to take the next step towards advancing your career, apply today! NOVEC is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. We do not provide sponsorship for this position. The anticipated starting salary within the posted salary range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's education, relevant experience, skills, qualifications, certifications, internal equity, and market considerations.