Talent Acquisition and Compensation – Program Manager

Title: Talent Acquisition and Compensation – Program Manager

State Role Title: HR Manager II

Hiring Range: Exact Commensurate Based on Qualifications & Experience.

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept of Ed Central Operations

Location: Richmond

Agency Website: doe.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Join VDOE, Virginia’s lead agency for public education, and help shape the future of education by supporting the talented professionals who drive student success across the Commonwealth. We are a mission-focused agency that values innovation, strategy, and people-first practices.

The Office of Human Resources & Organizational Development is seeking a Talent Acquisition and Compensation Program Manager to lead VDOE’s talent acquisition and compensation strategies, ensuring alignment with state and federal requirements while building systems that attract, retain, and reward a high-performing workforce.

In this role, you will:
• Oversee the full scope of talent acquisition and classification and compensation functions, ensuring effective and strategic implementation of programs.
• Serve as a consultative partner to agency leaders, aligning HR practices with VDOE’s goals and workforce needs.
• Evaluate and maintain internal pay alignment and external market competitiveness to ensure compliance and attract top talent.
• Conduct position studies and ensure consistent application of FLSA determinations and the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) classification policies.
• Develop and manage VDOE’s salary administration tools (SAP) and modeling processes using Excel, Power BI, and other analytics platforms.
• Lead the development of job descriptions, career ladders, compensation plans, and benchmarking processes that reflect organizational structure and strategy.
• Design and deliver presentations, guidance documents, and training materials that educate leaders and staff on compensation practices.
• Advise HR and agency leadership on pay equity, salary adjustments, reclassifications, and retention strategies.
• Partner cross-functionally to deliver responsive, data-driven talent solutions that ensure VDOE’s central operations can meet educational goals.

As VDOE’s Talent Acquisition and Compensation Program Manager, you’ll enjoy:
● Employee Discounts
● COVA Health Insurance Plans
● Virginia Retirement System
● Professional Development Opportunities
● Career Advancement
● 16 Paid Holidays
● Work Schedule Flexibility

Minimum Qualifications

• Deep expertise in talent acquisition, classification, compensation design, and HRIS tools.
• In-depth understanding of state and federal HR policies, especially as they relate to hiring, classification, and compensation in public service.
• Exceptional leadership and supervisory skills, with experience managing HR professionals and complex processes.
• Strong consultative approach with proven ability to advise executive leadership on sensitive and strategic HR matters.
• Outstanding project management skills with the ability to lead multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to explain technical compensation data and HR practices to various stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP) and data analysis/reporting tools like Power BI.
• Expertise in FLSA compliance and experience conducting detailed job analysis and audits.
• Proven ability to conduct internal alignment reviews and external market analysis using survey tools (e.g., Mercer).
• High-level data literacy, including interpreting and translating data into actionable recommendations.
• Collaborative team player who works well across HR and operational functions to drive consistency, accuracy, and strategic outcomes.
• Integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism in all aspects of HR leadership and program delivery.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, attention to detail, and ability to synthesize complex information for decision-making and compliance.

Additional Considerations

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Economics, Public Administration, or related field preferred.
• Master’s degree or certifications such as CCP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or PHR are strongly preferred.
• Experience implementing large-scale compensation or pay equity programs, espe