Vice President Audit, Compliance, Ethics and Risk Management

Vice President for Audit, Compliance, Ethics and Risk Management

Job

Location:

Augusta University

Full/Part Time:
Full Time

Regular/Temporary:
Regular

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 are described at Augusta University’s site.

USG values Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect, and USG policies guide conduct and operations. Freedom of Expression policies are also supported.

Location:

Augusta University – Health Sciences Campus, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912.

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 across five domains:
Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, Privacy, and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). The VP ensures established policies, procedures, and education monitor institutional risks and that management mitgates and reports on risk to executive leadership. The VP ensures compliance with federal/state laws, USG policies, and ethical standards. The role serves as a trusted advisor to the president and senior leadership and participates in external regulatory bodies and the USG Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance team.

This position is a member of the President's Cabinet and collaborates with USG teams.

• 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 with the Office of Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance at the USG to implement a systematic approach to audit, risk management, controls and governance.

• Oversee an internal audit program that evaluates financial, operational, and compliance controls and follows up to ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Ensure high-quality internal audit and advisory services, including development and execution of an annual risk-based audit plan per professional standards (IIA).
• Present findings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and university policies and procedures.
• Oversee fraud investigations and whistle blower protections.

• Direct the university-wide ethics and compliance program, including policy development, training, and monitoring.
• Oversee investigations into misconduct, retaliation, and ethical violations and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Oversee reviews to strengthen processes to measure, monitor, and mitigate risk, and provide recommendations to improve operations.
• Collaborate with accountable institutional offices for compliance with laws, regulations and university policies.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive ERM framework identifying, assessing, and mitigating 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 planning and decision-making.

• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, FERPA, GDPR, and other privacy laws.
• Develop privacy policies, training, and incident response protocols.
• Lead data breach investigations and coordinate with IT, legal counsel, and clinical operations.
• Promote a privacy-aware culture across academic and clinical units.

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

• Ensure 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.
• Support the President and leadership in cultivating an ethical culture; interact with stakeholders on…