The UVA Human Resources Organization

Vision

Our vision is to create and sustain a culture of continuous improvement across Human Resources functions and in collaboration with related UVA resources. We develop solid change management methodologies and tools in collaboration with initiative owners across the University.

We offer HR change management support for all HR initiatives to achieve:

• Minimized disruption for large-scale HR initiatives
• Consistent use of standardized change management methodologies and tools
• A coordinated approach to change management in collaboration with related initiative owners across UVA

Service Offerings: Methodologies and Standard Tools

Change Management is a service provided to Human Resources to efficiently and effectively manage and coordinate HR initiatives. HR Change Management works closely with HR Communications and initiative leaders to organize, oversee, and manage HR projects and activities to increase value by leveraging best practices.

The use of consistent change management methodologies and practices improves and encourages successful outcomes of initiatives in HR and across the University. By practicing these methodologies within HR, the investments in time and resources will deliver desired outcomes and value to those we serve.

Our Services

• Contributing to the overall HR strategy with focus on those we serve
• Defining desired outcomes, resource needs, and success measures for HR initiatives
• Using metrics to align projects with strategy and ensuring stakeholder readiness
• Securing stakeholder buy-in and support for change initiatives
• Identifying and prioritizing process improvements and HR initiatives
• Integrating change strategies across UVA
• Providing change leadership training

The Outcomes for Our Customers

• Consistent methodology for change management across HR
• Tools, guidance, and expertise on how to organize and execute HR projects
• Visibility and understanding of change impacts across the portfolio of HR initiatives
• Continuous process improvements by leveraging lessons learned
• Feedback loops to drive strategic HR decision-making and ensure stakeholder buy-in

Change Management Leader – Fredrick Martin, Senior Director

Approach

HR Communications uses an approach that allows faculty, staff, and team members to easily recognize and relate to important HR messages:

• Communications strategy and support for all HR functions
• Easy-to-navigate, high-functioning, and accessible HR Website
• Tailored key messages and coordinated HR communications
• Metrics for ensuring the communication has been effective that informs both our message and our approach

Communications Service Offerings:

Functional HR Communications Support

The HR Communications team develops and supports all functional HR areas. Working collaboratively with UVA communication resources across Grounds, functional HR Communications support ensures consistent and effective delivery of key internal HR messaging.

Our tailored key messages promote buy-in, build engagement, and increase adoption of HR programs. HR communications are coordinated with other University communications to increase message unity.

Our Services

HR Communications helps customers by delivering best practice communication guidance and support, providing multiple ways for faculty, staff, and team members to receive communication (website, newsletter, social media, etc.), and coordinating communication activities across HR and the University.

The Outcomes for Our Customers

• Highly coordinated HR communications that create a better understanding of HR programs
• Partnership with UVA communication resources across Grounds for aligned messages and reduced redundancy of communications
• New communication channels for multiple ways to receive information
• Increased customer engagement across the University

Consistent & Recognizable Communications Approach

We create a strategic, consistent, and recognizable approach to HR communications to enhance the recognition of key HR messages and corresponding actions needed. Messages are designed to resonate with our customers and build a sense of camaraderie. Our approach enables faculty, staff, and team members to feel more connected to the organization.

We leverage the strength of the UVA brand to support the recruitment of top talent, enhance engagement, and foster affiliation. The competition for top talent in healthcare and higher education is palpable. Creating an attractive and promising employment experience for UVA improves the reach of Talent Recruitment so we can continue attracting and retaining the best of the best to our University.

Our Services

HR Communications helps customers by supporting communications requirements with strategy, tools, and processes for all HR needs and serving as the liaison between University Communications and UVA Health Marketing and Communications. We also ensure a clear and continuous look, feel, and voice for HR communications.

The Outcomes for Our Customers

• A consistent and recognizable HR voice and experience throughout the University
• HR communications that align with the excellent reputation of UVA
• Better recruitment and retention ability
• A digital presence, including employment websites to engage with job seekers
• Enhanced ability to recruit and retain top talent that fits within the UVA culture

Communications Team Members

Karen Barnes – Director of HR Communications

Cynthia Douglass – HR Writer & Communications Specialist, Service COE

Sarah Daley – HR Communications Specialist, Talent COE

Susannah Fuller – HR Communications Specialist, IMPACT COE

The Business Operations team provides financial and operational services to the HR team. 

Key Outcomes of Our Work

• Accounting and transactional support including account reconciliations
• Procurement services including statements of work
• Budgeting for $46M in operations
• Facility operations and IT liaison including all telephony services

The Human Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC) shall serve as platform for engagement and feedback between Human Resources and the University communities it serves, with the goal of enhancing the workplace experience at UVA. Advisory in nature, the committee will be engaged with information on new programs and services, changes being considered to existing offerings, and in other matters related to services and programs for employees, and communication between Human Resources and employees. You can find a copy of the HRAC charter here.

Visit the HRAC page here.