Director of Enterprise Risk Management

Universities of Wisconsin • Madison, WI

1d • $150,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) will support the Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk Management in leading, implementing, and advancing a comprehensive ERM Program in accordance with best-in-class frameworks suited for higher education. This individual will be responsible for daily tactical and operational management of the ERM program, fostering effective risk identification, evaluation, mitigation, and integration of risk considerations into strategic and operational decision-making throughout UW–Madison. This position is housed within the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) and reports directly to the Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk Management. The Director will work collaboratively with senior leadership and key campus partners to advance institutional risk management priorities. This position is designated as a 100% onsite role, with regular in-person engagement required to support campus-wide collaboration, leadership consultation, and ERM governance activities. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years’ progressively responsible experience in risk management, compliance, audit, or related field, with at least 2 years in a director or senior management capacity within a large-scale, complex organization with collaboration across multiple groups and functions.
• Experience with or deep understanding of key risk management frameworks (such as COSO, ISO 31000, or NIST) and their application in large institutions.
• Demonstrated, ongoing professional development in ERM (e.g., through certifications, continuing education, or comparable engagement).
• Experience engaging with governing boards, executive committees, and high-level stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals at all organizational levels, including executive leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Proven success managing large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects in dynamic, complex environments.
• Knowledge of GRC technology platforms to facilitate risk management processes.
• Track record as a thoughtful problem-solver, innovator, and facilitator able to advance institutional priorities.
• High ethical standards, professional integrity, and commitment to confidentiality.
• Superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, tailored to a variety of audiences.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and strategic leadership capabilities.
• Excellent facilitation, collaboration, and negotiation abilities.
• Demonstrated initiative in continuous process improvement and risk innovation.
• Diplomacy and sound judgment in managing sensitive and confidential information.

Nice To Haves

• Higher education, public sector, or governmental organization experience strongly preferred.
• Experience adopting, using, or optimizing GRC technology platforms preferred.
• Advanced degree (JD, MBA, or related discipline) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate risk response plan development.
• Implement and oversee a robust ERM framework and strategy to systematically identify, assess, manage, monitor, and mitigate institutional risks, including by facilitating UW-Madison’s annual Enterprise Risk Assessment.
• Serve as Chair of the Risk Work Group.
• Create and update ERM procedures, tools, and training programs to support a sustainable, evolving risk culture aligned with strategic, academic, research, and operational goals.
• Continually monitor the higher education, regulatory, and risk landscapes to identify emerging threats and ensure UW–Madison remains proactive in its risk posture.
• Prepare and deliver regular risk reports to campus leadership, governance committees, and the Board of Regents as appropriate.
• Support the university’s annual planning and strategic processes, integrating risk management into institutional decision-making and resource allocation.
• Lead the development and routine review of the university’s institutional risk appetite and tolerance thresholds, collaborating with campus leadership, governance bodies, and advisory committees.
• Advise executive management, including the Executive Leadership Team and other senior leaders, on risk issues influencing institutional strategy, planning, compliance, and long-term resilience.

Benefits

• generous paid time off
• competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• tax-advantaged savings accounts
• participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees