AVP Rewards

Overview

AVP Total Rewards — Associate Vice President Total Rewards position at the University of Kentucky. Reporting to the Vice President for Human Resources, the AVP will serve as the strategic architect of the university’s total rewards philosophy, guiding the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of integrated compensation, executive compensation, benefits, health and wellness, HR Informatics and HR information systems (HRIS).

The University of Kentucky is a flagship, land‑grant institution with a culture of innovation. The AVP will help shape total rewards strategies to support a multidisciplinary workforce across the enterprise, including academic units, UK Health Care and affiliated hospitals and clinics. The role focuses on aligning total rewards programs with institutional goals, market competitiveness, workforce segmentation, and the employee value proposition, balancing salary, fiscal stewardship, and organizational performance.

The AVP will lead a team of HR professionals and champion a data-informed approach to total rewards that enhances talent attraction, engagement, and retention, supporting UK’s mission to advance education, healthcare, research, and community impact.

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of total rewards programs, including compensation, executive compensation, benefits, health and wellness, and related HR systems (HRIS).
• Ensure total rewards strategies align with institutional goals, market competitiveness, workforce segmentation, and the employee value proposition.
• Provide strategic guidance on regulatory environments, public sector considerations, and transformation within a large public university.
• Manage and develop a team of HR professionals, fostering a holistic, data-informed approach to total rewards and influencing talent attraction, engagement, and retention.

Reports to:

Vice President & Chief Human Resource Officer. The executive search firm InTrust Partners is engaged for recruitment; applicants must complete the UK application and contact Amanda Hargrove at

• Advanced expertise in total rewards strategy, including compensation and executive compensation design, benefits and wellness program stewardship.
• Experience in market pricing and pay equity analysis; governance for executive and board-level compensation; strong knowledge of employment and benefits regulations.
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms and workforce analytics to support data-driven decision-making and vendor management.
• Experience leading organizational change, managing complex programs, and engaging stakeholders; strong focus on compliance, risk mitigation, and ethical decision-making in a complex institutional environment.

Yes

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in total rewards, compensation, benefits, or HR strategy, with at least 5 years in a senior or enterprise-level role.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), SHRM-SCP or SPHR strongly preferred.
• Relevant certifications in HRIS platforms or data analytics tools (e.g., Workday, SAP, Oracle, Tableau).

02/28/2026

We value the well-being of each employee and are dedicated to a healthy place to work, learn, and live. The University of Kentucky maintains a Tobacco & Drug Free campus and adheres to nondiscrimination policies. Equal opportunities are provided in all institutional operations without discrimination on protected characteristics or smoker status, in alignment with university regulations on smoking. Pre-employment screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.