Director of Compliance and Ethics
Location: Blacksburg
Posted on: June 23, 2025
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Job Description:
The Director of Compliance and Ethics is responsible for
overseeing and advancing Virginia Tech’s institutional compliance
and ethics program. Reporting to the Vice President for Audit,
Risk, and Compliance and Chief Risk Officer, the Director provides
strategic leadership and operational oversight of compliance
initiatives across the university. The Director serves as a key
advisor and liaison to senior university leadership and works
collaboratively with various departments to promote a culture of
compliance and ethical behavior across the institution. The role
requires a proactive, risk-based approach to identify compliance
priorities, facilitate ethical decision-making, and strengthen a
culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability across the
university. Operating in a decentralized, research-intensive
environment, the Director partners with compliance risk owners and
university stakeholders to ensure effective oversight, education,
communication, and mitigation strategies related to regulatory and
institutional compliance. Key Responsibilities: Leadership and
Strategy: • Provide leadership and day-to-day management of the
university’s enterprise-wide compliance and ethics program. •
Maintain deep knowledge of the evolving regulatory landscape and
higher education compliance trends. • Contribute to strategic
planning within the Office of Audit, Risk, and Compliance and
university-wide compliance governance structures. • Serve as a
resource and advisor to compliance risk owners and decentralized
units, offering practical guidance and solutions. Compliance and
Ethics Program: • Work collaboratively with compliance partners and
with all levels of university management to coordinate risk,
compliance, and ethics activities, accomplish program objectives,
identify educational gaps, and facilitate mitigation of identified
risks. • Coordinate university-wide compliance risk assessments to
identify, prioritize, and mitigate areas of potential
vulnerability. • Monitor institutional risks of non-compliance and
partner with departments to develop responsive mitigation and
improvement plans. • Develop and implement initiatives that
integrate the university’s core values into a culture of ethical
behavior and compliance. • Serve as the university’s primary point
of contact for the Hokie Hotline and coordinate investigations and
follow-up actions for compliance-related reports. Collaboration and
Policy: • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with
institutional leadership, internal audit, enterprise risk
management, general counsel, and other compliance stakeholders. •
Support and coordinate compliance-related committees and working
groups. • Assist in the development and evaluation of
university-wide policies to ensure alignment with applicable laws
and standards. Training and Education: • Provide guidance, advice,
and training and educational programs to raise awareness of
compliance risks and promote ethical conduct. • Institute and
maintain an effective compliance communications strategy, promoting
awareness of university policy and regulatory requirements relevant
to the university, and encourage reporting of suspected
non-compliance. • Encourage a culture of openness, feedback, and
continuous learning through accessible resources and engagement
initiatives. Reporting: • Prepare timely reports and presentations
for senior leadership and the Compliance, Audit, and Risk Committee
regarding compliance initiatives, risks, and institutional
progress. • Communicates regularly with the Vice President for
Audit, Risk, and Compliance and Chief Risk Officer and other key
stakeholders (as needed) regarding the operation and progress of
compliance efforts. Required Qualifications • Advanced degree in a
related field or a bachelor’s degree with significant related
experience. • Extensive experience in compliance, ethics, risk
management, or a related field, ideally in a complex, decentralized
organization. • Strong understanding of compliance risks, laws, and
regulatory frameworks applicable to higher education. •
Demonstrated leadership in managing cross-functional teams and
large-scale initiatives. • Proven ability to handle sensitive
matters with discretion, sound judgment, and integrity. • Excellent
written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage
diverse audiences, including senior leadership and boards. •
Experience developing data-informed reports and actionable
recommendations. • Commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable
environments. Preferred Qualifications • Juris Doctorate (JD) or
comparable legal/regulatory training. • Experience in higher
education, healthcare, or not-for-profit sectors. • Familiarity
with regulations including FERPA, Title IX, ADA, Clery Act,
research compliance, privacy, financial aid, environmental health
and safety, and employment law. • Experience with compliance
self-assessments. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. •
Proficiency with compliance technology and data visualization
tools. • Relevant certifications (e.g., CCEP, CRCMP, or similar).
Overtime Status Exempt: Not eligible for overtime Appointment Type
Regular Salary Information Salary range of $125,000 - $175,000
Hours per week 40 Additional Information The successful candidate
will be required to have a criminal conviction check. About
Virginia Tech Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),
Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a
hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be
leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution
that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the
world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to
knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more
than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000
undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight
undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine
college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a
significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation
Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology
Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous
Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research
institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in
research annually. Virginia Tech endorses and encourages
participation in professional development opportunities and
university shared governance. These valuable contributions to
university shared governance provide important representation and
perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful
professional development. Virginia Tech does not discriminate
against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age,
color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender
identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or
national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual
orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against
employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose
their compensation or the compensation of other employees or
applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
Keywords: , Lynchburg , Director of Compliance and Ethics, Legal , Blacksburg, Virginia
