The Vice President, Total Rewards role at Avera Health is a highly visible, on‑site executive role responsible for advancing a comprehensive total rewards strategy that spans compensation, benefits, retirement, and employee well‑being for a mission‑driven, integrated health system of approximately 22,600 caregivers. This role succeeds Kimberly Enebo, a long‑tenured and highly respected leader, and is designed to build on a strong foundation rather than drive disruptive change. Avera is seeking an experienced, health care‑savvy total rewards leader who can quickly establish trust, read the room well, and thoughtfully evolve programs that honor Avera’s culture, values, and legacy while remaining aligned with a dynamic market. This role is not designed to drive disruptive transformation, but rather to prioritize relationship-building, organizational assessment, and thoughtful evolution over time.
The Vice President (VP) will provide strategic leadership to an integrated Total Rewards and Employee Health organization of approximately 33 FTEs, overseeing Compensation (including advanced practice provider compensation), Benefits, and Employee Health. This includes guiding a seasoned and stable leadership team with deep institutional knowledge while continuing to shape and modernize programs to meet the evolving needs of a mission‑driven health care workforce. On the compensation and benefits front, the VP will focus on strengthening market‑based pay practices, advancing leadership and executive incentive models, and ensuring benefits programs remain both highly compliant and competitive. Retirement strategy, vendor partnerships, actuarial oversight, and alignment with church plan requirements are also critical components, requiring a leader who can pair technical expertise with strong relationship management.
Employee Health represents both a sizable portion of the team and a meaningful opportunity for future impact. Today, the function is largely compliance‑oriented and embedded throughout the organization. Still, Avera sees a clear path to elevating this work by more intentionally integrating wellness, preventive care, and population health concepts into the overall total rewards framework. The VP will have the opportunity to help connect existing offerings, such as employee assistance programs, financial well‑being tools, and health benefits, into a more cohesive, visible, and proactive experience for employees. Over time, this role will help shift the focus from compliance alone to a more holistic model of staying well every day, partnering with employees and primary care providers to support long‑term caregiver health in a self‑funded environment.
Culturally, Avera Health is defined by long tenure, deep institutional pride, and a strong sense of shared purpose rooted in service and ministry. Many leaders and team members have spent decades with the organization, creating a relationship‑driven environment built on trust, collaboration, and humility rather than individual ego. Success at Avera is less about personal visibility and more about stewardship, partnership, and doing what is right for caregivers, patients, and the broader community. Leaders are expected to listen, build consensus, and lead with authenticity. This makes Avera especially compelling for executives who value legacy, continuity, and the opportunity to make thoughtful, value-aligned progress over time.
Sioux Falls further reinforces that culture, offering a high quality of life that aligns with Avera’s people‑centered philosophy. The community is known for affordability, minimal traffic, strong schools, and a genuine sense of neighborly care, contributing to a lower‑stress lifestyle that many leaders find both grounding and sustainable. Avera itself is financially stable and growing, with significant capital investments underway, including a new Women’s and Children’s Center and expanded specialty facilities, while remaining steadfast in who it is and why it exists. Together, the organization and community offer a rare combination of professional influence, personal balance, and mission‑driven impact for a collaborative total rewards leader eager to lead with purpose and partnership.
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Avera values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.