Director of Total Rewards

Position Details

Position Details

Advertising/Posting Title Director of Total Rewards Posting Summary

The University of Vermont (UVM) is seeking a Director of Total Rewards to provide enterprise-wide leadership for a comprehensive and mission-aligned total rewards strategy, with a strong emphasis on strategic compensation design and governance. This role is a critical partner to senior leadership, shaping how UVM attracts, retains, and rewards talent in a complex, values-driven higher education environment.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Director of Total Rewards leads the strategic direction, design, and continuous evaluation of UVM's compensation, benefits, retirement, and recognition programs. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in compensation strategy, market analysis, pay equity, and governance frameworks, ensuring programs are competitive, equitable, fiscally responsible, and aligned with institutional priorities, workforce needs, and regulatory requirements.

This leader will play a central role in advancing UVM's commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusion by developing compensation philosophies, structures, and practices that support organizational effectiveness and long-term sustainability. Using data, benchmarking, and analytics, the Director will guide complex compensation decisions, advise senior leaders, and translate strategy into actionable, scalable programs across the institution.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of UVM's total rewards programs, with primary responsibility for enterprise-level compensation strategy and execution
• Design, implement, and evolve compensation frameworks, including job architecture, market benchmarking, salary structures, incentive programs, and pay equity analysis
• Partner closely with senior leaders to align compensation strategy with institutional goals, workforce planning, and budgetary priorities
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and best practices in a highly regulated environment
• Lead data-driven decision-making through the use of HRIS, compensation systems, and analytics tools
• Oversee benefits, retirement, and recognition programs to ensure a cohesive and competitive total rewards offering
• Serve as a trusted advisor to campus stakeholders on complex compensation and total rewards matters

Minimum Qualifications (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field and 8-10+ years of progressive experience in total rewards (compensation and benefits leadership).
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading enterprise-level total rewards strategies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of compensation and benefits principles, practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated strength in communication, presentation, and stakeholder management.
• Demonstrated experience with HRIS, compensation systems, and data analytics tools.

Desirable Qualifications

• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), or similar certifications.
• Experience in higher education or complex, regulated environments.

Anticipated Pay Range $150,000-$175,000 Other Information Special Conditions A probationary period may be required, Background Check required for this position FLSA Exempt Union Position No

Posting Details

Position will be posted for a minimum of one week, after which it is subject to removal without notice.

Job Location Burlington, Vermont, United States Job Open Date 05/22/2026 Job Close Date (Jobs close at 11:59 PM EST.) Open Until Filled No

Our Common Ground Statement

The University of Vermont is a welcoming, educationally purposeful community committed to creating an inclusive environment that embraces intellectual diversity and global perspectives. We seek to prepare students to be accountable leaders who will bring to their work a grasp of complexity, effective problem-solving and communication skills, and an enduring commitment to learning and ethical conduct. Members of the University of Vermont community embrace and advance the values of Our Common Ground: Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Openness, Justice, and Responsibility. Staff play a critical role in this effort and the successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to UVM's mission and advancing Our Common Ground values through the execution of their job duties.

Position Information

Position Title HR Partner MG4 X Posting Number S5922PO Department Human Resources/11305 Position Number 00027800 Percent of Full-Time 1.0 Standard Hours at 1.0 FTE 37.5 Term (months per year) 12

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents