Assistant Vice President for Human Resources- Compensation and Benefits

Princeton University seeks a strategic and collaborative leader to be its next Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Compensation and Benefits in the Office of Human Resources. The next AVP will bring the expertise, creativity, and sound judgment to be a key member of the human resources senior leadership team (SLT).

The successful candidate will offer a strong blend of both compensation and benefits experience and will combine keen operational and administrative planning and execution skills with strategic vision and an affinity for Princeton’s mission and aspirations. The AVP will balance the long-term goals of the University with short-term needs and have the agility to quickly pivot and manage unforeseen events and trends. The AVP will stimulate and foster innovation in the fields of benefits and compensation in a way that respects and capitalizes on Princeton’s traditions. The AVP must embrace and embody the Princeton culture, which includes commitments to scholarly and teaching excellence, public service, collegiality, and a diverse and inclusive community. Maintaining productive and collaborative relationships with internal and external colleagues and constituencies, and strong people management will be critical to the success of the next AVP. The position offers a unique opportunity to lead and partner with a talented and experienced team. The AVP also leads, staffs or contributes to several high-level University standing and/or ad hoc committees, including those focused on benefits, compensation strategy, and compliance-related concerns. These broad and complex responsibilities make the AVP’s role critical to achieving institutional goals and priorities with respect to attracting new team members, the health, wellbeing and remuneration and satisfaction of the University’s employees.

The successful candidate will join Princeton University at an exciting moment of campus growth and evolution as people-focused work has continued to intensify and brought new ways of thinking in direct connection with shifting expectations of the workforce and changing needs in our workplace.

Position Summary

This is an outstanding opportunity for a motivated individual to contribute to the University's efforts to provide comprehensive benefits and competitive compensation for Princeton's diverse and high-performing workforce comprised of a broad array of administrative and academic staff jobs.

In concert with the vice president for human resources to whom the role reports, this position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the University's compensation, benefits, wellbeing and work life programs to achieve excellence and innovation in all aspects, in consideration of fiscal responsibility, and adherence to regulatory requirements. It also includes, and is not limited to, service delivery, vendor management and contract negotiation, reporting, and process improvements. This AVP will partner closely with other members of the HR SLT with a “One HR” mindset.

Benefits and Work Life is responsible for the design and administration of all benefits (e.g. medical, retirement, Family Medical Leave) and work life/wellness programs that are comprehensive, competitive, fiscally responsible, and compliant with applicable regulations. The University offers many programs to support employee’s physical, mental, and financial well-being. 

Compensation is responsible for creating and administering compensation programs that are internally equitable and externally competitive, for ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal regulations, and for administering programs that support a pay-for-performance culture. 

• Oversee compliance of plans, policies, procedures, and programs, including monitoring legislation before enacted, assessing and recommending responses, and implementing changes as necessary.
• Monitor, evaluate and enhance Princeton’s benefits and compensation programs and gain approval and acceptance for implementation.
• Ensure overall delivery of consistent, accurate, timely, effective, and efficient administration, advice, and services.
• Ensure system and process efficiencies, data security and integrity, and adherence to budgets.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators regarding plan performance, internal and external operations, and customer service delivery; identifying and/or benchmarking trends and implementing appropriate solutions.
• Serve as an active member or facilitator of multiple committees (Benefits Committee, Investment and Retirement Committee and Priorities Committee).
• Oversee timely and accurate regulatory plan filings and communications within the University.
• Provide leadership and development to the Compensation and Benefits team of 20+ members, including several senior direct reports.

• Minimum of 10+ years senior-level and/or progressively responsible experience in benefits and compensation
• Expert knowledge of benefits, work life, and compensation programs and related regulations and taxation as well as administration, resources, tools, and best practices
• Management/leadership experience of a multi-disciplined department
• Demonstrated success in designing, orchestrating, and leading implementation of new programs, requiring extensive project management skills in a complex environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage, motivate, and leverage a diverse staff in a complex organization with competing priorities within a high-touch culture
• Working knowledge of new or innovative technology to improve business processes, operational effectiveness, and employee communications, e.g., webinars, podcasts, videos, smart phone apps, etc.
• Willingness to draw upon expert opinion to present new options for consideration, and be able to position, present and positively influence necessary change
• Demonstrated ability to deliver excellent customer service
• Knowledge of vendor capabilities and industry best practices
• Demonstrated ability to conduct a robust request for proposal process and negotiate vendor services, including pricing and identifying creative solutions to meet unique needs
• Demonstrated experience to ensure adherence to contracts and establish reporting needs to measure performance
• Positive attitude and good sense of humor
• Adaptability to changing priorities; open and flexible to new ideas that may alter plans or timelines
• Solid analytical ability and good judgment to balance compliance and administration with compassion and understanding for employees and retirees
• Superior communication skills in various forms: verbal, written, aural, video, presentation, web; skill in writing concise, logical, analytical reports, documentation, and/or recommendations
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence senior staff members
• Ability to build and maintain relationships both internally and externally to the university
• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills
• Excellent computer skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering benefits and compensation in a multi-faceted employee population environment
• Professional certifications in the areas of human resources, benefits and/or compensation
• Applicable advanced degree

The Search Process

Princeton University is being assisted in this recruitment by Diversified Search Group. Interested parties should submit comments, nominations of others, or information in support of their own candidacy to the confidential email address of the Diversified search team at Nancy.Helfman@Divsearch.com

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS