Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants : All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. A cover letter is optional but welcomed. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director, Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management (AD), contributes to the leadership of the ethics, compliance, and enterprise risk management program at Rice University. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Ethics, Compliance and Enterprise Risk & Chief Compliance Officer, the position will support compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as university policy management and enterprise risk management, while facilitating the highest ethical standards of conduct for Rice's community of staff, students and faculty.

The AD will work closely and collaboratively with compliance and risk partners across Rice to strengthen existing compliance risk management mitigation practices, including university policy management and administration of staff conflict of interest disclosures. The position will also assist in the direction of the continued implementation and development of the university enterprise risk management strategy by supporting the design and maintenance of processes and capabilities to help the university manage its key enterprise-wide risks. Rice's ethics, compliance, and enterprise risk management program is established by the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees and is carried out under the overall direction and guidance of the Vice President and General Counsel.

Among other responsibilities, the AD will work with university enterprise risk owners to respond to compliance and enterprise risk inquiries, monitor emerging compliance and enterprise-wide risk areas, facilitate and promote awareness and communications regarding the compliance and enterprise risk management programs, support mitigation efforts for compliance risk areas across the university, including conflict of interest disclosure review, and support policy management at Rice.

The ideal candidate is strategically focused and has a deep understanding of compliance and enterprise risk management; has excellent analytical, judgment, and organization skills; possesses a high degree of professional and personal ethics; is proactive and service-oriented; and has superior verbal and written communications skills.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. The schedule is typically 3 days in-office and 2 days remote per week. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

This full-time, benefits-eligible position offers a salary range of $88,000 to $95,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• 3 years of related professional work experience with compliance, enterprise risk management, human resources, human services and/or youth advocacy.
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• Skills
  • Advanced computer skills and demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver presentations to large groups and parties external to the university.
  • Ability to prioritize, take initiative, and ownership of projects with attention to detail and documented ability to review and establish procedures, optimize efficiency, and implement new or transformed programs.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, research issues, problem-solve, and propose solutions.
  • Ability to analyze complex data sets, identify trends, and propose data-driven solutions.
  • Familiarity with compliance management and risk assessment frameworks.
  • Demonstrated ability to foster strong relationships across all levels of the organization and work collaboratively with diverse teams.

Preferences

• Juris Doctor (JD), Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP), Master of Laws (LLM), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certification in Risk Management (i.e. Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP).
• Experience working with globally accepted ERM standards i.e. ISO 31000 and/or COSO ERM.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Deep knowledge of higher education practices, regulations, compliance, and accrediting agencies;
• Successful experience leading and managing day-to-day operations in a large, complex, and highly decentralized setting;
• Collaborative nature and eagerness to understand university operations, environment, and culture while comfortable suggesting changes.
• Comfortable interacting on sensitive subjects with a wide range of people in various roles, having a high degree of professional ethics, and willing to act decisively in the best interests of the University and the youth.
• Ability to listen, strategize, and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
• Proven experience in managing strategic initiatives/projects, especially those related to compliance and risk.

Essential Functions

• Together with the Associate Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, facilitate the administration of the policy management process, including the review of proposed new and revised policies;
• Liaise directly with compliance and risk partners across academic and administrative units on compliance and enterprise risk-related matters, including but not limited to updating them on initiatives and gather feedback for continuous improvement;
• Assist in compliance training and awareness programs related to the University's Standards of Ethical Conduct
• Liaise directly with Human Resources, Office of General Counsel, Office of the Provost, and other key departments regarding the Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk training and awareness programs;
• Direct, plan, and coordinate the Annual Ethics, Compliance and Risk Symposium;
• Represent the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Enterprise Risk on standing compliance committees and working groups; and work with the key departments, committees, and working groups, such as the Offices of Access, Equity and Equal Opportunity and Human Resources, to develop and implement broader awareness and participation amongst the entire community;
• Contribute to the RICE Way Ethics and Compliance Newsletter;
• Periodically, review and propose content updates for the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Enterprise Risk public website and intranet page
• Assists in the direction of implementation and development of the enterprise risk monitoring program, including the joint risk assessments with Internal Audit of risk partners across the academic and administrative units to identify enterprise risks, analyze and quantify the potential impact and likelihood of risks, and facilitate the implementation of mitigation strategies;
• Prepare comprehensive written reports and presentations for stakeholders, as needed, that may include the Executive Compliance Committee, the senior university leadership, and the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees regarding top institutional risks;
• Collaborate with Internal Audit on an ongoing basis to provide risk information for key audit activities;
• Conduct research on various compliance and enterprise risk-related topics and areas of emerging regulatory requirements (such as cybersecurity, conflicts of interest, diversity, equity, and inclusion, data privacy, research security, etc.) as required, including researching and staying abreast of best practices and trends in higher education;
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Works to influence stakeholders to accept university policy management program and accept new concepts, practices, and approaches.
• Promotes a culture of continuous improvement within the compliance and risk management framework, ensuring practices are up-to-date with industry standards.
• Functions as part of a team to accomplish the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Enterprise Risk's goals and work cooperatively with other university staff to resolve shared issues and concerns.
• Other duties as assigned, including managing large and strategic compliance projects that span outside of essential functions.

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Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

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