The University of Vermont has engaged Mercer, a global leader in human resources consulting, to help the university redesign organizational processes and strategies that enable talent development, foster equitable pay, and speed up HR transactions (the “Career Path Development” project or “CPD”). Mercer will provide expert analysis of UVM’s current classification and compensation structure and assist the University as it works toward the following objectives:

  • Organize staff positions into a clear and transparent structure that facilitates career advancement, aligns with competitive market practices, supports internal consistency and equity, and reduces administrative burdens to enable quicker more responsive hiring practices.
  • Conduct a competitive market pay assessment to ensure UVM staff pay structures are strategically aligned with the external labor market.
  • Create a clear compensation philosophy, pay structures, and administrative guidelines that strategically align with the external labor market, and ensure internal consistency, transparency, equity, and efficiency.
  • Develop a curriculum and materials to educate managers and employees regarding the principles and concepts of the new career path structure to establish and sustain clarity and trust.

The CPD is a key part of UVM’s goal to build efficient, effective, best-in-class human resource programs to attract and retain top talent. The project launched in September 2022 with a targeted completion date of December 2023. Throughout the project, HR and Mercer will engage key stakeholder groups, including kickoff meetings with senior leaders, shared governance and union representatives, and key managers/supervisors across the university. In addition, HR will communicate critical information and share project updates, FAQs, and key milestones throughout this project at https://www.uvm.edu/hrs/career-path-development.

During the project, UVM will continue to use the current classification system and policies. HR will continue working strategically and collaboratively with department leaders to assist with any needs during the project period.

UVM selected Mercer following an in-depth request for proposals process that invited qualified providers to submit proposals based on UVM’s specific requirements. University leaders who participated in the RFP process will serve on the Steering Committee of the CPD. 

CPD Steering Committee members are:

  • Amer Ahmed, Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Claire Burlingham, University Controller
  • Britten Chase, Budget Analyst
  • Stephanie Dion, Assistant Dean, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences/Extension
  • Kirk Dombrowski, Vice President for Research
  • Jennifer Greaves, Administrative Operations Manager, Division of Finance and Administration
  • Trent Klingerman, Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel
  • Jacob Leopold, Human Resource Manager, College of Engineering & Mathematical Sciences
  • Andrea Mast, Associate Chief Human Resource Officer, Total Rewards
  • Karmen Swim, Human Resource Manager, Larner College of Medicine
  • Karin Tierney, Interim Chief Human Resource Officer
Career Path Development Project
Mercer