Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer

Texas A&M - Kingsville•Kingsville, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer (CECO), reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for Texas A&M University-Kingsville's comprehensive ethics and compliance program. The CECO is responsible for proactively promoting a culture of integrity, accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct while ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state laws, Texas A&M University System policies and regulations, accreditation requirements, and university rules and procedures. The position leads institution-wide compliance initiatives, conducts risk assessments, oversees investigations of compliance-related concerns, coordinates compliance monitoring and reporting activities, and serves as a key advisor to executive leadership on ethics, compliance, governance, and institutional risk matters. The CECO collaborates with university departments, Texas A&M University System offices, legal counsel, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to support effective compliance management and continuous improvement across the institution.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in ethics, compliance, equal opportunity, investigations, risk management, internal audit, legal affairs, higher education administration, or a related field, including at least five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory, management, or leadership experience overseeing personnel, compliance programs, and/or institutional initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctor (J.D.) or terminal degree in a related field.
Experience in higher education compliance, governance, or regulatory affairs.
Experience within a public university system or state agency environment.
Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide compliance or ethics programs.
Experience supporting accreditation reviews, external audits, investigations, or regulatory examinations.
Ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement, integrity, and accountability.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations affecting higher education.
Knowledge of Texas A&M University System policies and procedures, or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge.
Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to assess risk and develop effective mitigation strategies.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive matters.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to build collaborative relationships and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
Ability to lead complex projects and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Strong strategic planning and execution skills with the ability to translate institutional goals into measurable enrollment outcomes.
Advanced data analysis and interpretation skills, with the ability to use dashboards and metrics to guide decision-making.
Effective leadership and team management skills, including supervision, coaching, and performance development.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage internal stakeholders, external partners, and prospective students.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership and oversight for the university's ethics and compliance program.
Develops, implements, and maintains a comprehensive, risk-based compliance program designed to prevent, detect, and address regulatory, operational, and ethical risks.
Promotes a culture of integrity, accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct throughout the university.
Chairs the University Compliance Committee, convenes quarterly meetings, and serves as the university representative at Texas A&M University System compliance meetings.
Provides guidance and recommendations to executive leadership regarding ethics, compliance, governance, and institutional risk matters.
Manages the day-to-day operations of the university's compliance program.
Assists with the initiation, development, implementation, maintenance, and revision of policies, procedures, and standards related to compliance activities.
Maintains responsibility for official university rules and procedures, including the review, development, approval, and revision processes consistent with Texas A&M University System requirements.
Establishes compliance program objectives, performance measures, and monitoring activities to assess program effectiveness.
Ensures proper reporting of significant compliance matters to System Ethics and Compliance officials, executive leadership, and other stakeholders as required.
Conducts periodic compliance risk assessments to identify areas of vulnerability and institutional risk.
Develops, implements, and monitors corrective action plans to address identified compliance concerns.
Oversees compliance reviews and monitoring activities with university departments and officials to evaluate adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Identifies compliance trends and emerging risks and recommends mitigation strategies.
Receives, reviews, and coordinates the investigation and resolution of reports involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, conflicts of interest, fraud, waste, abuse, and other compliance-related concerns.
Administers and serves as the university coordinator for the EthicsPoint Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Hotline and other reporting mechanisms.
Collaborates with appropriate university departments and System offices to direct compliance concerns through established investigative and resolution processes.
Evaluates allegations of misconduct and recommends or initiates appropriate investigative procedures.
Serves as an independent reviewer to ensure compliance concerns are appropriately evaluated, investigated, documented, and resolved.
Works closely with the Office of Employee Services, Equal Opportunity offices, and other stakeholders regarding employee-related compliance matters.
Receives external charges and complaints filed with regulatory agencies and coordinates responses in consultation with System offices and legal counsel.
Serves as the primary compliance liaison between university departments and internal, external, regulatory, and System audit organizations.
Coordinates university responses to compliance reviews, audits, assessments, and regulatory inquiries.
Serves as liaison to the Texas A&M University System Office of General Counsel on compliance, regulatory, and litigation-related matters affecting the university.
Supports university leadership during audits, accreditation reviews, compliance examinations, and regulatory investigations.
Consults with legal counsel regarding complex compliance and regulatory issues.
Develops and implements training and professional development programs related to ethics, compliance, regulatory requirements, and university policies.
Provides compliance guidance and consultation to university departments, colleges, and administrative units.
Maintains an effective compliance communication program that promotes ethical conduct, awareness of reporting resources, and understanding of compliance responsibilities.
Promotes awareness and appropriate use of the EthicsPoint Hotline and other reporting mechanisms.
Facilitates campus-wide outreach and education initiatives to strengthen institutional compliance and integrity.
Collaborates with Human Resources, Internal Audit, Legal Affairs, Information Security, Student Affairs, Research Compliance, Athletics, and other university units to address compliance risks and implement corrective actions.
Maintains productive relationships with university leadership, Texas A&M University System offices, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations.
Represents the university on System-wide compliance committees, working groups, and professional associations.

Benefits

Medical $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value). Up to 83% of premium covered by the university: Employee and Spouse Employee and Children Employee and Family coverage
Dental & Vision
Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account
On-Campus Wellness Opportunities: TAMUK’s Wellness Program is designed to enrich lives through health and wellness programming that is meaningful and impactful.
Work Life Solutions: Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources
Tuition Benefits: Employee Tuition Assistance Program Book scholarships
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Retirement: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), dependent on position
Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan
Employee Leave: 8+ hours of vacation per month
8 hours of sick leave per month
8 hours of paid Birthday leave
12-15 paid holidays per year