Director of Human Resources, Public Safety

Position Summary

The Human Resources Director, Public Safety provides executive-level HR leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for all human resources functions within Vanderbilt University Public Safety (VUPS). Reporting to the Chief of Police, this position serves as the primary HR advisor to departmental leadership and is responsible for the full employee lifecycle, recruiting, hiring, onboarding, compensation, employee relations, leave management, performance management, and separations.

This position leads HR strategy and workforce planning for over 400 employees across sworn and non-sworn divisions, aligning departmental needs with Vanderbilt University's policies, values, and Project Polaris job architecture. The Director is responsible for driving initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, ensure legal compliance, and foster a culture of belonging, accountability, and professional growth. This position requires a deep understanding of public safety environments; therefore, experience supporting or working within a law enforcement or public safety organization is strongly preferred.

About the Work Unit

Vanderbilt University Public Safety operates under the Division of Administration . As one of Tennessee's largest law enforcement agencies, VUPS provides comprehensive law enforcement and security services across Vanderbilt University's campuses, including the Medical Center and other university-owned facilities throughout Davidson County.

With over 400 staff members, VUPS is organized into three divisions: Operations, Auxiliary Services, and Administration. All sworn officers have completed training at a state-certified police academy and are commissioned through the Metro Nashville Davidson County Police Department. Additionally, non-sworn Community Service Officers support security-related functions.

Key Functions and Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Serve as the primary HR advisor and business partner to the Chief of Police and the Public Safety leadership team.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate strategic HR initiatives to support departmental goals, compliance, and workforce development.
• Lead and advise on employee relations matters, ensuring consistent and equitable application of Vanderbilt policies, state and federal employment laws, and labor standards.
• Provide data-driven analysis of workforce metrics to inform decision-making, talent strategies, and accreditation requirements.
• Represent Public Safety in HR related university committee, initiatives and cross departmental workgroups.

Employee Relations & Investigations

• Serve as the first point of contact for employee relations issues, including conflict resolution, workplace investigations, disputes, and disciplinary actions.
• Conduct or oversee investigations into workplace complaints, ensuring neutrality, compliance, and proper documentation.
• Partner with PBC and legal counsel to ensure resolution strategies align with policy and best practice.
• Guide leaders through performance management, corrective action, and coaching processes to promote accountability and retention.
• Analyze employee relations data to identify trends and develop proactive strategies to improve culture, retention, and compliance.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Lead recruitment and selection processes for all sworn and non-sworn positions, ensuring equity and compliance with departmental hiring standards.
• Manage the full lifecycle of positions in Oracle, including creation, posting, compensation changes, reclassifications, and separations.
• Develop and implement retention strategies to minimize unwanted attrition and improve engagement.
• Coordinate the selection and promotion of internal candidates for specialized assignments (e.g., K-9, Field Training Officers).
• Maintain departmental workforce and seniority reports; ensure accuracy and compliance with university reporting standards.

HR Operations & Leave Management

• Oversee all aspects of leave administration (FMLA, ADA, workers' compensation, military leave) and ensure compliance with Vanderbilt policy and legal requirements.
• Manage time and attendance records, absence tracking, and the first report of work injuries.
• Ensure HR transactions and data integrity within Oracle HCM meet institutional standards for accuracy and compliance.
• Lead quarterly and annual performance review processes and manage the implementation of merit increases.
• Identify and implement system or workflow improvements that enhance HR transactions or processes and reporting accuracy.
• Partner with Payroll and HRIS to ensure accurate and timely processing of pay actions, including differentials, special payments and corrections.

Training & Organizational Development

• Design and deliver training for VUPS supervisors and staff on HR policies, performance management, workplace conduct, and leadership practices.
• Oversee new hire and annual in-service training programs related to HR procedures, performance expectations, and employee well-being.
• Partner with PCB to identify skill gaps and implement training programs that support sustainable professional advancement.
• Mentor and develop departmental managers to strengthen leadership capability and staff engagement.

Project & Program Management

• Lead HR-related project initiatives focused on process improvement, compliance, and employee experience.
• Support accreditation-related HR documentation, reporting, and data validation for law enforcement standards.
  Coordinate special HR and workforce initiatives at the direction of the Chief of Police or HR leadership.

Supervisory Relationships

This position directly supervises HR and administrative staff within the department and reports administratively and functionally to the Chief of Police.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required. Master's degree preferred.
• Professional certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) preferred.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of seven years of progressive HR experience, including five years in a leadership or consulting capacity.
• Proven expertise in employee relations, investigations, workforce planning, performance management, and HR operations.
• Experience in law enforcement, public safety or a similarly structured, compliance driven environment is strongly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of employment laws (FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Title VII, etc.) and best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Advanced proficiency in Oracle HCM and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain professionalism in high-pressure situations.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Mindset : Anticipates workforce needs and develops forward-thinking HR solutions.
• Integrity & Discretion : Demonstrates sound judgment and confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
• Collaboration : Builds trust-based partnerships across divisions and the university.
• Accountability : Holds self and others responsible for achieving goals and upholding Vanderbilt Public Safety values.