Assistant Vice President, Rewards

Stanford University is one of the world’s premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world. In turn, the university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, the Assistant Vice President, Total Rewards (AVP, Total Rewards) oversees a team of specialists and consultants and leads strategy and operations for university-wide staff compensation, executive compensation, and benefits. The role is responsible for oversight, design, and implementation of new total rewards strategies, policies, and programs. Additionally, this position reviews existing offerings and provides recommendations for changes and upgrades aligned with university values and strategic goals to ensure Stanford remains a competitive employer within the higher education market.

As a trusted partner and expert resource for the Vice President of Human Resources, members of the Human Resources Leadership Team (HRLT), and leaders in Stanford’s schools/units, a key aspect of the role is building and managing relationships, influencing positive outcomes, and supporting effective communication with university leadership and key stakeholders.

This position is hybrid preferred (on-site two days per week); however, remote candidates willing to travel and work in person at least one week per month at Stanford’s Redwood City campus location may be considered.

• Successfully manage ongoing total rewards operations while leading a multi-year evolution of the compensation function, rebuilding both the service delivery model and the total rewards team through oversight of job architecture, formalization of job evaluation and leveling processes, and the creation of clear, user-friendly guidelines and communication tools.
• Drive strategic and operational excellence in total rewards by navigating incremental change while championing initiatives that build structure, consistency, and clarity.
• Ensure total rewards programs, processes, and communications evolve into effective, scalable, and well-adopted tools that support the organization’s long-term success.
• Design and implement market-based compensation and benefits programs aligned with university values and strategic goals that are competitive within the higher education market.
• Oversee current state assessments, model ideal future state, and recommend pay structure movement, job structure modification, revisions, or redesign.
• Develop total rewards philosophy, strategy, policy, and programs that support the university’s Employee Value Proposition (EVP).
• Influence positive change and outcomes by creating and nurturing connections and partnerships with senior leaders throughout the university, including senior HR leaders, finance directors, and other key stakeholders.
• Oversee and support the redesign, growth, and development of the total rewards team, ensuring their skillsets, performance, goals, and objectives are in alignment with the strategic, operational, and service goals of University Human Resources.
• Ensure superior delivery of benefits services to existing and former staff, retirees, and other university customers.
• Oversee executive compensation, including the design and delivery of executive rewards; proactively identify concerns and develop solutions and recommendations.
• Review and analyze market data and other relevant factors for accuracy and recommend pay structures and market-competitive solutions.
• Manage total rewards program costs and annual spend against budget while maintaining engaging and rewarding programs to motivate and inspire.
• Support the annual university budget process by analyzing and communicating financial implications and cost/benefits.
• Develop special programs, including rewards and recognition programs.
• Nurture and evaluate relationships with Stanford’s total rewards consulting partners, claims payors, insurers, and other vendors in compliance with Stanford’s…