Vice President Audit, Compliance, Ethics and Risk Management

Overview

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. Our mission and values guide us as we prepare students for roles in cybersecurity, arts and applied humanities, and health sciences. Augusta University is Georgia's only public academic health center, focused on groundbreaking research and patient care.

Location:

Augusta University
Full/Part Time:
Full Time
Regular/Temporary:
Regular

The Vice President of Audit, Compliance, Ethics, and Risk Management (VP-ACERM) is a senior leader responsible for safeguarding Augusta University's integrity, accountability, and operational resilience. This role provides strategic leadership across Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management, Privacy, and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). The VP ensures policies, procedures, and education are in place, and that activities assess and monitor institutional risks.

The role ensures alignment with federal/state laws, USG policies, and high ethical standards. The VP serves as a trusted advisor to the president, senior leadership, and external regulatory bodies, and is a member of the President's Cabinet and the USG Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance team.

• Lead the creation, oversight, and strategic management of Internal Audit, Compliance, Privacy, EH&S, Ethics, and Risk Management departments; serve as Chief Compliance Officer. Report to the President and collaborate with the Office of Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance at the University System of Georgia to implement audit, risk management, controls, and governance processes.
• Internal Audit: oversee an internal audit program evaluating financial, operational, and compliance controls; develop and execute an annual, risk-based audit plan; present findings and recommendations to executive leadership; ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and university policies; oversee fraud investigations and whistle blower protections.
• Ethics & Compliance: direct the university-wide ethics and compliance program, including policy development, training, and monitoring; oversee investigations into misconduct and corrective actions; strengthen processes to measure, monitor, and mitigate risk; collaborate with accountable offices for regulatory compliance.
• Enterprise
  
  Risk Management:
  
  develop and maintain a comprehensive ERM framework; 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.
• Privacy Governance: 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, and clinical operations; promote a privacy-aware culture.
• Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S): oversee EH&S programs for OSHA, EPA, and state regulations; promote campus safety, emergency preparedness, and training; oversee Institutional Biosafety and Chemical Safety Committees; advance safety and environmental stewardship initiatives.
• Regulatory Affairs & Institutional Integrity: align with USG policies and federal/state regulations; liaise with external agencies; monitor regulatory changes; promote ethical leadership and culture; collaborate with Legal, Fiscal, HR, Academic, and Student Affairs to address inquiries, audits, or investigations; develop and monitor AU Enterprise Risk policies; report major risks to executive leadership and governing bodies; establish an integrated risk management framework and conduct enterprise risk assessments;
  
  communicate plans and results to the Executive Audit, Compliance, Privacy & Security Steering Committee and AU leadership; ensure audits are fair and objective and that corrective actions are tracked.
• Develop and monitor training programs in AU Compliance & Ethics and ERM; ensure employees understand applicable regulations and standards.

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 related activities. Experience conducting investigations. Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Strong work ethic and ability to multi-task.

Juris Doctorate or Doctoral degree preferred. Financial Accounting or Auditing professional certifications (CPA, CIA, CISA, CGEIT, CHC, CCEP, CHPS) preferred. Preferred experience in higher education, academic healthcare, governance, or regulatory compliance.

Shift: Days/M-F (outside hours may be required for exempt positions). Full-time…