Senior Ethics and Compliance Specialist

The Senior Ethics and Compliance Specialist manages non-research components of the conflict-of-interest compliance program. In this role, you will draft management plans, update policies, review disclosures, and identify potential improvements. The Senior Ethics and Compliance Specialist conducts workplace investigations into alleged conflicts of interest. You will serve as a subject matter expert, developing and delivering training sessions as needed to reduce risk throughout the university. Other compliance-related duties as assigned, potentially including but not limited to workplace investigations of compliance matters beyond conflict of interest, analysis of third-party compliance risk, compliance program assessments, and/or policy program management.

Job Responsibilities

The candidate for the position of Senior Ethics and Compliance Specialist will be responsible for:

• Manages the daily non-research components of the conflict-of-interest compliance program. Reviews and analyzes employee personal and financial disclosures for potential conflicts of interest. Investigates alleged violations of the conflict of interest policy.

• Manages and serves as a subject-matter expert for at least one additional area of institutional compliance, such as workplace investigations of compliance matters beyond conflict of interest, analysis of third-party compliance risk, compliance program assessments, and/or policy program management. Management will determine this additional area(s) based on the University’s needs and the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

• Develops and delivers training, both online and in-person, on conflicts of interest. Serves as a resource and subject matter expert to faculty/staff and leadership. Assists with needed training updates. Develops and implements specific improvements for schools/departments as needed.

• Works with varied stakeholders and departments (e.g., Department of Audit Services, Human Resources, Faculty Affairs) to reduce risk throughout the university. Assists senior leadership with institutional efforts to reduce third-party risk. Collaborates with business partners to develop, implement, and evaluate compliance guidance for internal/external processes. Partners with the Office of the General Counsel to review and interpret complex regulations before clearly communicating them to stakeholders.

• Develops and drafts management plans to mitigate conflicts of interest. Assists with building a comprehensive program designed to ensure compliance and ethical decision-making across the university. Evaluates compliance training and development programs, identifying potential improvements and making recommendations as necessary.

• Ensures legal compliance of programs as necessary. Researches and identifies trends and best practices related to reducing conflicts of interest in higher education. Regularly updates university policies, procedures, and the code of ethics. Stays current with changes to laws/regulations which may affect communications and university policies.

• Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate for the position of Senior Ethics and Compliance Specialist has the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration, legal studies, finance, audit, or similar ethics and compliance education.

• Ten years’ experience working with regulatory requirements, policies, and codes of conduct.

• Lean Six-Sigma certification.

• Multilingual skills, including Spanish.

• Experience with compliance tools and/or systems including Post-Grads, Community Academic Profiles (CAPs), PeopleSoft, Oracle Financials, and/or SeRA.

• Experience working on compliance with Title IX regulatory requirements in higher education, and familiarity with academic medical center environments.

The annual base salary range for this position is $114,854.70 - $140,000.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Business Administration Or Bachelor's degree Law Or Bachelor's degree Finance Or Bachelor's degree in related field(s) Minimum Certifications: Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) certification from Compliance Certification Board, or commitment to obtain such within one year post hire. Minimum Experience: 7 years experience working with regulatory requirements, policies, and codes of conduct. Minimum Skills: Well versed in elements of effective compliance programs and experience in a communications and/or training role. Advanced knowledge of risk management and liability issues affecting higher education. Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, organizational, critical thinking and analytical skills. Advanced judgment, analytical, and decision-making skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills, and an exemplary attention to detail. Excellent executive program/project management skills with demonstrated ability addressing difficult and complex issues. Ability to develop analytics from multiple streams of data, interpret trends, develop persuasive recommendations, and present information to varied audiences. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, deftly handle time-sensitive matters, meet strict deadlines, and accomplish confidential tasks. Demonstrated experience with office management software/tools.