Who We Are
Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation. Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library. Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.
About the Position
The Lead Generalist assists the Complex Director of People & Culture in the development, implementation, and administration of all People & Culture functions, including recruitment, training and development, and associate relations for the hospitality division of Colonial Williamsburg, which include hotel, restaurant, golf, and spa.
Essential Functions:
- Provide support to employees and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Employee Relations and/or Labor Relations;
- Conflict resolution;
- Employee assistance referrals;
- Employee FMLA/ADA guidance. Preparation and maintenance of ADA cases;
- Coaching supervisors and managers on developing and communicating standards of performance.
- Lead and provide guidance to other P&C employees surrounding the employee relations and labor relations function, including investigations and resolutions to employment disputes. Provides guidance regarding accurate documentation of investigations or other employment or labor matters by listening and interpreting concerns and objectives and seeking solutions. Review and approve associate terminations.
- Effectively partner with colleagues required to administer and execute People & Culture processes and programs such as, but not limited to:
- Talent acquisition;
- Performance management;
- Learning & development;
- Diversity & Inclusion programs;
- Compensation;
- Benefits
- Disputes and investigations
- Represents Colonial Williamsburg in regulatory hearings such as unemployment hearings, appeals, etc. Provides support to Director of People & Culture in coordination and preparation of all documentation for arbitration, mediation and EEOC hearings.
- Maintain a regular presence in area of designated client group; actively participate in staff, department and division meetings, employee recognition and other events as appropriate.
- Provides support for the employee communication program, supporting transparency and employee engagement.
- Facilitate, identify and monitor training needs. Design, plan and implement training, programs, policies, and procedures to include compliance of mandatory training, orientation, and work group sessions.
- Ensure compliance with all State and Federal laws and regulations which pertain to People & Culture by reviewing current management practices, implementing new procedures, and communicating verbally and in writing any new requirements.
- Conducts research and analysis of organizational trends including review of reports and metrics from the organization's human resource information system (HRIS) or talent management system.
- Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in People & Culture, talent management, and employment law; applies this knowledge to communicate changes in policy, practice, and resources to upper management.
- Serves as the acting Manager of the People & Culture team in the absence of the Complex Director of People & Culture.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required and Preferred Education and Experience:
Required: Competencies usually acquired through completion of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, or closely related field or equivalent experience, plus 7 years progressive experience in human resources or related position that includes experience in employee relations, labor relations, performance management, diversity and equal opportunity.
Preferred: Professional (PHR), Senior Professional (SPHR) in Human Resources; SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP; experience working within a union environment; experience working within not-for-profit industry
Qualifications:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
- Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
- Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
- Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organizations HRIS and talent management systems.