Vice President for Audit, Compliance, Ethics and Risk Management

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About Us

Augusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 12,000 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia's cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia's only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today. Our mission and values make Augusta University an institution like no other.

Augusta University's distinct characteristics in education and research include real-world experiences and community engagement, as well as a culture of building community, corporate and government partnerships that address health, security, economic and societal concerns locally and across the state.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at .

Location

Augusta University

Our Health Sciences Campus:

1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912

College/Department Information

At Augusta University, we are a large community of faculty, staff, students, alumni, caregivers and friends, united in our purpose to provide leadership and excellence in teaching, discovery, clinical care and service. Together, we truly are a Jaguar Nation, dedicated to enhancing the successes of our students, investing in the health care of Georgians and fostering worldwide innovation. I am thrilled to be a part of Augusta University's journey and look forward to seeing our future achievements.

Job Summary

The Vice President of Audit, Compliance, Ethics, and Risk Management (VP-ACERM) is a senior leader charged with safeguarding Augusta University's integrity, accountability, and operational resilience. This role provides strategic leadership and oversight across five critical domains: Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, Privacy, and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). Additionally, the VP for ACERM is responsible for ensuring that these entities have implemented appropriate policies, procedures, and education; while ensuring these activities appropriately assess and monitor institutional risks and make executive and senior leadership aware of these risks and the status of mitigation and corrective actions taken by management. The VP ensures that Augusta University operates in full alignment with federal and state laws, University System of Georgia (USG) policies, and the highest ethical standards.

This position is instrumental in promoting a culture of transparency, safety, and continuous improvement, while serving as a trusted advisor to the president, senior leadership and external regulatory bodies. This position also serves as a member of the President's Cabinet and is an active contributing member of the USG Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance team.

Responsibilities

Principal Accountabilities:

• Creation, oversight and strategic management of the Internal Audit, Compliance, Privacy, Environmental Health and Safety, Ethics, and Risk Management departments and will serve as the Chief Compliance Officer. Reporting to the President and working directly with the Office of Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance at the University System of Georgia to carry out a systematic approach to audit, risk management, controls and governance processes.

Internal Audit

• Oversee an internal audit program that evaluates financial, operational, and compliance controls and follows-up to ensure management has implemented corrective actions.
• Ensures that high-quality internal audit and advisory services are provided, including overseeing the development and execution of an annual comprehensive risk-based audit plan in accordance with the professional standards promulgated by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
• Present findings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and university policies and procedures.
• Oversee fraud investigations and whistleblower protections.

Ethics & Compliance

• Direct the university-wide ethics and compliance program, including policy development, training, and monitoring.
• Oversee investigations into misconduct, retaliation, and ethical violations and ensure management follow-up on associated corrective actions.
• Oversee reviews to strengthen the University's existing processes and systems to measure, monitor, and mitigate risk, and provide recommendations to improve operations
• Collaborate with accountable institutional offices (e.g., athletics, research, DCG coding, etc.) for compliance with applicable laws, regulations and university policies and procedures.

Enterprise Risk Management

• Oversee the development and maintain a comprehensive ERM framework that identifies, assesses, and mitigates strategic, operational, financial, and reputational risks.
• Facilitate cross-functional risk assessments and scenario planning.
• Advise senior leadership on emerging risks and mitigation strategies.
• Integrate risk management into institutional planning and decision-making.

Privacy Governance

• Ensures compliance with HIPAA, FERPA, GDPR, and other applicable privacy laws.
• Oversee the development of privacy policies, training programs, and incident response protocols.
• Lead investigations of data breaches and coordinate with IT, legal counsel, and clinical operations.
• Promote a privacy-aware culture across academic and clinical units.

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S)

• Oversee EH&S programs to ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and state regulations.
• Promote a safe and healthy campus through proactive risk assessments, emergency preparedness, and safety training.
• Oversee the Institutional Biosafety Committee and Chemical Safety Committee.
• Promote initiatives to improve campus safety, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

Regulatory Affairs & Institutional Integrity

• Ensure institutional alignment with USG policies and federal/state regulations.
• Liaise with external agencies including the Department of Education and state auditors.
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess institutional impact.
• Promote ethical leadership and decision-making across all levels of the university.
• Assist the President, President's Cabinet Members and other leadership in developing and cultivating an ethical culture, where concerns are freely brought to the attention of management and staff, there are no repercussions or retaliation for bringing legitimate concerns forward and where the values of Augusta University are upheld.
• Partners with Legal Affairs, Fiscal Affairs, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and other key stakeholders to ensure appropriate interaction and responses to inquiries, audits or investigations which includes conflict of interest, retaliation complaints, Title IX concerns, etc.
• Develop and monitor AU Enterprise Risk Policies and ensure that Major Risks as defined by the USG Board of Regents Risk Management Policy are appropriately reported to the AU Executive Leadership and governing bodies.
• Establish an integrated risk management framework for all aspects of risks across AU and its cooperative organizations, collaborate with management in the development of risk mitigation plans, and address specific areas of potential fraud. Ensure significant risks as defined by the USG Board of Regents Risk Management Policy are appropriately communicated to the USG.
• Conduct an enterprise risk assessment ensuring that all applicable risks including, but not limited to, Audit and Compliance risks are addressed and implement a set of risk metrics and reports, including losses and incidents, key risk exposures, and early warning indications.
• Ensure the Audit, Compliance and AU EH&S Plans are communicated to the Executive Audit, Compliance Privacy & Security Steering Committee and AU Executive Leadership.
• Coordinate the Executive Audit, Compliance, Privacy & Security Steering Committee, ensuring that it actively fosters discussion, prioritize areas for further investigation and/or audit and conducts follow-up monitoring of compliance initiatives.
• Ensure Internal Audit and Compliance conduct fair and objective audits and/or use other evaluation techniques to monitor compliance and to assist in the reduction of identified problem areas. Provide management with assurance that concerns are investigated and that corrective actions and risk mitigation efforts are tracked and monitored.
• Ensure Compliance works with Human Resources to develop and coordinate multifaceted educational and training programs that focus on the elements of the AU Compliance & Ethics and ERM program and ensure that employees are knowledgeable of pertinent federal and state regulations standards.

Required Qualifications

A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Business, Health Care Management, or related field is required.

Ten or more years' leadership experience in ethics, compliance, investigations, legal affairs, audit, or closely related activities.

Experience conducting investigations.

Excellent communication, organizational and problem-solving skills.

Strong work ethic and ability to multi-task.

Preferred Qualifications

Juris Doctorate or Doctoral degree in a related field is preferred. Financial Accounting or Auditing professional certification(s) such as: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC), Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP), Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) is preferred.

Preferred experience in higher education, academic healthcare, governance or regulatory compliance.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

Shift: Days/M-F (work outside of normal business hours will likely be required of an employee in an exempt level position)

The intended work commitment or full-time equivalent (FTE) for this position is 1.0 and considered full-time.

Salary and compensation is commensurate with education, experience, and achievements.

Recruitment Period: Until Filled

Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees.

Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.

Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!

Conditions of Employment

All candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive [patient, student, employee, financial, business, etc.] information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during the course of their employment and beyond.

This position is also responsible for promoting a customer friendly environment and providing superior service to our patients, students, faculty, and employees. Augusta University is a patient-and family-centered care institution, where employees partner everyday with patients and families for success.

Augusta University is a tobacco free environment and the use of any tobacco products on any part of the campus, both inside and outside, is strictly prohibited.

Other Information

This position is also responsible for promoting a customer-friendly environment and providing superior service to our patients, students, faculty, and employees. "Augusta University is a patient-and family-centered care institution, where employees partner every day with patients and families for success."

Augusta University is a tobacco-free environment, and the use of any tobacco products on any part of the campus, both inside and outside, is strictly prohibited.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Augusta University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.

How To Apply

Consider applying with us today!

Select University Faculty & Staff > External Applicants if you are a candidate from outside the university

Select University Faculty & Staff > Internal Applicants if you are a current university employee

Please upload your letter of interest and Curriculum Vitae as one document.

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