Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer

Job Title

Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer

Agency

Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Department

Chief Administrative Officer

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Kingsville, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), the oldest institution of higher learning in South Texas and a proud member of the Texas A&M University System, stands as the region's premier university. TAMUK offers the widest range of academic programs and degrees in South Texas, provides exceptional learning and residential facilities, conducts impactful research, awards substantial scholarships, and has awarded more than 80,000 degrees in the institution's 100-year history. The university is recognized for its unwavering commitment to student success, meaningful research, and deep community engagement. With a welcoming campus culture and strong regional partnerships, TAMUK offers faculty and staff a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of students and the broader South Texas region.

Location: The University is located in historic Kingsville, a friendly, safe city of 25,000 that is the home of the legendary King Ranch. Corpus Christi and its beaches are just 40 miles to the northeast, and the border with Mexico is 120 miles to the south at Brownsville or 119 miles to the west at Laredo.

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Position Overview

The Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer (CECO), reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for Texas A&M University-Kingsville's comprehensive ethics and compliance program. The CECO is responsible for proactively promoting a culture of integrity, accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct while ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state laws, Texas A&M University System policies and regulations, accreditation requirements, and university rules and procedures. The position leads institution-wide compliance initiatives, conducts risk assessments, oversees investigations of compliance-related concerns, coordinates compliance monitoring and reporting activities, and serves as a key advisor to executive leadership on ethics, compliance, governance, and institutional risk matters. The CECO collaborates with university departments, Texas A&M University System offices, legal counsel, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to support effective compliance management and continuous improvement across the institution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Ethics and Compliance Leadership

• Provides strategic leadership and oversight for the university's ethics and compliance program.
• Develops, implements, and maintains a comprehensive, risk-based compliance program designed to prevent, detect, and address regulatory, operational, and ethical risks.
• Promotes a culture of integrity, accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct throughout the university.
• Chairs the University Compliance Committee, convenes quarterly meetings, and serves as the university representative at Texas A&M University System compliance meetings.
• Provides guidance and recommendations to executive leadership regarding ethics, compliance, governance, and institutional risk matters.

Compliance Program Administration

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the university's compliance program.
• Assists with the initiation, development, implementation, maintenance, and revision of policies, procedures, and standards related to compliance activities.
• Maintains responsibility for official university rules and procedures, including the review, development, approval, and revision processes consistent with Texas A&M University System requirements.
• Establishes compliance program objectives, performance measures, and monitoring activities to assess program effectiveness.
• Ensures proper reporting of significant compliance matters to System Ethics and Compliance officials, executive leadership, and other stakeholders as required.

Risk Assessment and Monitoring

• Conducts periodic compliance risk assessments to identify areas of vulnerability and institutional risk.
• Develops, implements, and monitors corrective action plans to address identified compliance concerns.
• Oversees compliance reviews and monitoring activities with university departments and officials to evaluate adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Identifies compliance trends and emerging risks and recommends mitigation strategies.

Investigations and Case Management

• Receives, reviews, and coordinates the investigation and resolution of reports involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, conflicts of interest, fraud, waste, abuse, and other compliance-related concerns.
• Administers and serves as the university coordinator for the EthicsPoint Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Hotline and other reporting mechanisms.
• Collaborates with appropriate university departments and System offices to direct compliance concerns through established investigative and resolution processes.
• Evaluates allegations of misconduct and recommends or initiates appropriate investigative procedures.
• Serves as an independent reviewer to ensure compliance concerns are appropriately evaluated, investigated, documented, and resolved.
• Works closely with the Office of Employee Services, Equal Opportunity offices, and other stakeholders regarding employee-related compliance matters.
• Receives external charges and complaints filed with regulatory agencies and coordinates responses in consultation with System offices and legal counsel.

Audit, Legal, and Regulatory Coordination

• Serves as the primary compliance liaison between university departments and internal, external, regulatory, and System audit organizations.
• Coordinates university responses to compliance reviews, audits, assessments, and regulatory inquiries.
• Serves as liaison to the Texas A&M University System Office of General Counsel on compliance, regulatory, and litigation-related matters affecting the university.
• Supports university leadership during audits, accreditation reviews, compliance examinations, and regulatory investigations.
• Consults with legal counsel regarding complex compliance and regulatory issues.

Education, Training, and Communication

• Develops and implements training and professional development programs related to ethics, compliance, regulatory requirements, and university policies.
• Provides compliance guidance and consultation to university departments, colleges, and administrative units.
• Maintains an effective compliance communication program that promotes ethical conduct, awareness of reporting resources, and understanding of compliance responsibilities.
• Promotes awareness and appropriate use of the EthicsPoint Hotline and other reporting mechanisms.
• Facilitates campus-wide outreach and education initiatives to strengthen institutional compliance and integrity.

Collaboration and Institutional Engagement

• Collaborates with Human Resources, Internal Audit, Legal Affairs, Information Security, Student Affairs, Research Compliance, Athletics, and other university units to address compliance risks and implement corrective actions.
• Maintains productive relationships with university leadership, Texas A&M University System offices, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations.
• Represents the university on System-wide compliance committees, working groups, and professional associations.

Qualifications

Required Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Required Experience

Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in ethics, compliance, equal opportunity, investigations, risk management, internal audit, legal affairs, higher education administration, or a related field, including at least five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory, management, or leadership experience overseeing personnel, compliance programs, and/or institutional initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or terminal degree in a related field.
• Experience in higher education compliance, governance, or regulatory affairs.
• Experience within a public university system or state agency environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide compliance or ethics programs.
• Experience supporting accreditation reviews, external audits, investigations, or regulatory examinations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement, integrity, and accountability.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations affecting higher education.
• Knowledge of Texas A&M University System policies and procedures, or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge.
• Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to assess risk and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive matters.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to lead complex projects and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Strong strategic planning and execution skills with the ability to translate institutional goals into measurable enrollment outcomes.
• Advanced data analysis and interpretation skills, with the ability to use dashboards and metrics to guide decision-making.
• Effective leadership and team management skills, including supervision, coaching, and performance development.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage internal stakeholders, external partners, and prospective students.

Other Requirements

Other Requirements and Factors

• This position is security sensitive
• This position will require export-control authorization prior to starting employment.
• This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMUK policies, regulations, rules, and procedures
• All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements
• This position will require export-control authorization prior to starting employment.

Why Join the Javelina Nation?

Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers a supportive, mission-driven culture focused on excellence in teaching, research, and service. All employees enjoy:

• A welcoming campus community
• Opportunities for professional development
• Competitive benefits through the Texas A&M University System
• A rewarding experience of helping students achieve their academic and career goals

Shared Values: TAMUK employees uphold the Shared Values of Care, Integrity, Pride, Innovation, and Excellence, which form the foundation of the University's culture and guide its strategic plan. More information on TAMUK's Strategic Plan and Shared Values can be found here.

4DX: TAMUK employees actively engage in Franklin Covey's 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX) activities within their departments. TAMUK utilizes 4DX as the framework for pursuing strategic goals by creating a culture of high performance. This requires participation from all faculty and staff. More information on 4DX can be found here.

Caring Campus: TAMUK employees embody the Institute for Evidence Based Change's Caring Campus mindset, maintaining a collegial and caring attitude towards students and each other to foster student engagement and a positive, collaborative work environment. More information on Caring Campus can be found here.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers a career filled with purpose and opportunity in addition to competitive wages. In addition to base pay, TAMUK provides eligible employees a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support employees' well-being, professional growth, and financial security.

BENEFITS (rules, policies, eligibility apply)

With our generous benefit package, robust professional development opportunities, strong retirement programs, and dedication to service excellence, TAMUK is a truly engaging and rewarding place to work.

Insurance:

• Medical

• $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value).

• Up to 83% of premium covered by the university:

• Employee and Spouse

• Employee and Children

• Employee and Family coverage

• Dental & Vision

• Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account

On-Campus Wellness Opportunities:

• TAMUK's Wellness Program is designed to enrich lives through health and wellness programming that is meaningful and impactful.

Work Life Solutions:

• Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources

Tuition Benefits:

• Employee Tuition Assistance Program
• Book scholarships
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Retirement:

• Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), dependent on position
• Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan

Employee Leave:

• 8+ hours of vacation per month
• 8 hours of sick leave per month
• 8 hours of paid Birthday leave
• 12-15 paid holidays per year

Additional Information

A federal proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Texas A&M University-Kingsville will not pay this fee. If immigration sponsorship may be required for employment, consult with private immigration counsel, at the individual's expense, is recommended to determine whether the individual's current immigration status would make a potential offer of employment from Texas A&M University-Kingsville subject to this fee.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbott issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B petitions unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if sponsorship for employment visa status is required now or in the future, this moratorium may affect the university's ability to employ the selected final candidate. TAMUK will adhere to applicable regulations regarding visa opportunities.

Application Instructions

During the application process applicants have one opportunity to enter the requested information, upload documents and submit the application. Applicants will not be able to make changes or add additional documents once the application materials have been submitted via "Submit" action.

Employment applications must include:

• Completed online application
• Cover Letter/Letter of Interest addressing qualifications
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Contact information for 3 professional references

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.