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Vice President Total Rewards

Patterson-UTI
Houston, TX Full Time
POSTED ON 4/4/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/3/2026

The Vice President, Total Rewards is responsible for the strategic design, development, and execution of the Company's global compensation, benefits, and rewards programs. This role provides executive leadership in ensuring programs are competitive, equitable, compliant, and aligned with business strategy. The VP Total Rewards will partner closely with executive leadership, HR Business Partners, and business leaders to foster a high-performance culture, drive employee engagement, and strengthen the Company's ability to attract, retain, and motivate top talent.

This role will partner closely with senior leadership to provide guidance on executive compensation, incentive plan design, equity strategies, and benefits innovation. The role requires a strong mix of strategic foresight, governance expertise, and operational excellence, ensuring programs are both compliant and impactful. This role will also serve as a thought leader across the HR function, integrating data-driven insights and external market intelligence to enhance decision-making.

This position will report to the Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer.

Detailed Description:

  • Provide vision and leadership in developing and implementing a comprehensive total rewards strategy that balances competitiveness, cost-effectiveness, and alignment to business priorities.
  • Lead compensation and benefits functions, ensuring they are integrated and support overall HR and business strategies.
  • Advise executive leadership and the Board on compensation matters, in partnership with the SVP & CHRO including pay philosophy, incentive plan design, and regulatory compliance.
  • Oversee sales compensation programs to ensure internal equity, external competitiveness, and pay-for-performance alignment.
  • Lead the design and administration of short- and long-term incentive programs, including equity plans, ensuring alignment with company performance goals and shareholder value.
  • Direct participation in market pay studies and benchmarking surveys; evaluate trends and adjust strategies to remain competitive.
  • Manage the annual compensation cycle, including merit planning, and incentive payouts.
  • Oversee the design, governance, and administration of health, retirement, and wellness programs across the enterprise.
  • Evaluate and implement innovative benefit solutions that enhance employee experience, engagement, and well-being.
  • Ensure benefits programs are cost-effective, compliant, and aligned with market competitiveness.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including wage & hour, pay transparency, and benefits regulations.
  • Establish governance practices and controls to ensure consistency, compliance, and effective risk management across all programs.
  • Partner with HR Business Partners to ensure consistent application of policies, provide training, and deliver consultative support to leaders.
  • Partner with Legal, Finance, and Audit on total rewards matters, including Security & Exchange Commissions (SEC) disclosures, executive compensation, and benefits audits.

Job Requirements

  • Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, with demonstrated ability to design compliant, scalable total rewards programs.
  • Strong technical expertise in executive compensation, incentive plan design, equity programs, and benefits strategy.
  • Proven experience with market-based job evaluation systems and compensation benchmarking surveys.
  • Advanced financial, analytical, and modeling skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear business insights.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (pivot tables, complex functions), and experience with HRIS/compensation systems (Oracle preferred).
  • Demonstrated success influencing, presenting, and partnering with leadership teams and compensation committees.
  • Ability to coach, guide, and inspire HR colleagues and senior business leaders on compensation and benefits decisions.
  • Proven organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
  • Strong executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex topics for diverse audiences.
  • Track record of designing and executing total rewards strategies that balance competitiveness, cost effectiveness, and cultural alignment.
  • Experience leading change and aligning reward programs to support organizational culture, performance, and inclusion goals.

Demonstrated ability in the following leadership competencies:

  • Strategic Agility

  • Business Acumen

  • Driving Results

  • Courageous Leadership

  • Influence & Communication

  • Building Effective Teams

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, or related field of study.
  • 12 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 7 years in compensation and/or benefits leadership roles.
  • 5-10 years supervisor experience.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree or advanced HR certification (e.g., CCP, CEBS, SHRM-SCP).
  • Experience in a global, complex, and highly regulated environment.
  • Proficiency in Oracle or similar HRIS/compensation systems.

Additional Details:

Work is primarily in a climate controlled / office environment with minimal safety / health hazard potential. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, or walk with occasional lifting (overhead, waist level) from floor, bending and frequent near vision use for reading and use of computer, telephone and other office equipment. Frequent travel to other Company offices and drilling rig work sites, often in remote locations, is required during normal rig operating conditions (day/night, outdoor hot/cold weather), and employee will be expected to properly use designated personal protective equipment (PPE).

**Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This role does not offer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

#LI-VMI


Employing subsidiaries of Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (Patterson-UTI) are equal opportunity employers and maintain a drug-free workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected under state, federal, or local law.

 

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