Director of Compliance & Risk Management

Position Information

About Fordham

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program (EAP); tuition remission; and generous time off.

Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.

Title of Position Director of Compliance & Risk Management Position Number A11145 FLSA Exempt Scheduled Hours Per Week 35 Department General Counsel Campus Rose Hill Work Arrangement Hybrid Hybrid Policy: Please review the Hybrid Policy at www.fordham.edu/hybridpolicy. Position Summary

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Director of Compliance & Risk Management serves as a key member of the University's leadership team, responsible for advancing Fordham's enterprise approach to compliance while further developing and integrating risk management practices across the institution. At a pivotal time for the University, Fordham continues to evolve and strengthen its integrated approach to compliance and risk.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape and mature a comprehensive, university-wide compliance framework within a complex, decentralized academic environment. The Director will partner closely with senior leadership and stakeholders across academic, administrative, research, and technology functions to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, strengthen governance structures, and promote a culture of ethical conduct and accountability.

The Director will provide strategic leadership and be accountable for the overall effectiveness of Fordham's compliance program, including the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of policies, processes, and monitoring systems. In parallel, the role will support the continued evolution of the University's enterprise risk management (ERM) capabilities, helping to identify, assess, and mitigate institutional risks while informing strategic decision-making. The Director will also oversee a Technology Operations Manager and partner closely with the Director of Assurance Services/Internal Audit to ensure alignment across compliance, risk management, and internal audit functions.

This position emphasizes leadership, influence, and program design over day-to-day technical execution. The successful candidate will leverage data, technology, and modern governance tools to enhance transparency, streamline oversight, and deliver actionable insights to University leadership.

Essential Functions

Program Strategy and Leadership

Serves as the leader for the University's Hub and Spoke Hybrid compliance model, providing strategic direction to operational units while partnering with subject matter leaders across the institution.

Develops, implements, and maintains a comprehensive, university-wide compliance and ethics program, ensuring its effectiveness and continuous improvement.

Manages and oversees all major regulatory reporting requirements across diverse areas, including but not limited to Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, HIPAA, ERISA, Clery, FERPA, financial aid compliance, research compliance, NCAA, and information technology governance, cybersecurity, and data privacy.

Risk Integration

Designs and oversees the integrated Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework, ensuring alignment between compliance mandates, risk assessments, and internal audit plans.

Directs the work of the Compliance and Operations Manager, ensuring coordinated, non-duplicative efforts.

Oversees monitoring activities, utilizing university staff expertise and directing the engagement of external specialized risk professionals for unique when justified.

Policy, Training, and Incident Management

Leads the comprehensive review and approval process for all university compliance-related policies and procedures.

Oversees the centralized Incident Reporting & Investigation mechanism, making final determinations on required actions and coordinating with Human Resources, Student Affairs, Public Safety, Office of General Counsel, and other offices as required.

Ensures robust, relevant "Training & Awareness" programs are deployed across the university, utilizing scalable, technology-driven platforms.

Strategic Technology and AI Governance

Directs the strategic integration and oversight of analytics and AI-powered tools for predictive risk modeling, real-time compliance monitoring, and anomaly detection across university operations, for interpreting results for executive action.

Leads the utilization of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) software platforms for centralized risk data aggregation, analysis, and reporting, translating complex data insights into actionable strategic recommendations for senior leadership.

Governs technology risk and cyber-compliance, maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the governance and compliance implications of IT systems, data privacy (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA), and cybersecurity, and leading the university's response to the ethical, regulatory, and institutional risks associated with AI.

Essential Functions Note This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

The University may assign additional related duties as necessary. Management Responsibilities May provide peer-level coordination or subject-matter guidance to colleagues performing similar work and/or student, part-time workers, including helping organize tasks, clarify priorities, or review work for quality or consistency. Additional Functions Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

Master's degree in business, law, public administration, higher education, information systems, or a related field.

Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in compliance, risk management, internal audit, governance, and/or related control functions.

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, or leading enterprise or organization-wide compliance and/or risk management initiatives in decentralized organizations.

Familiarity with data privacy, cybersecurity governance, and/or emerging regulatory and ethical considerations related to technology and AI.

Experience designing, implementing, and leading complex enterprise-wide compliance or risk management programs in decentralized organizations.

Strategic experience leveraging modern technology solutions, including enterprise systems, workflow automation, data analytics, dashboards, and AI-enabled tools to improve compliance oversight and risk management effectiveness.

Strong understanding of technology risk, cybersecurity governance, data privacy, and emerging issues related to artificial intelligence, with the ability to assess and advise on institutional risk in a dynamic technology environment.

Ability to interpret complex regulatory frameworks and translate requirements into practical, scalable compliance programs across diverse operational areas.

Proven ability to work across diverse stakeholder groups and influence outcomes within decentralized or matrixed organizations.

Excellent communication and leadership skills, including the ability to synthesize complex issues and present actionable recommendations to senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

A Juris Doctor or other advanced legal credential.

Professional certification (e.g., CCEP, CCEP-I, CISA, CPA).

Experience in higher education or in similarly complex, mission-driven, and highly regulated environments (e.g., healthcare, financial services, nonprofit organizations, government).

Experience developing AI governance, data ethics, or technology compliance frameworks.

Minimum Starting Salary $195,000 Maximum Starting Salary $215,000 Note Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills. Is this a Union position? No

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number A1085P Number of Vacancies 1 Start Date ASAP Posting Date 06/25/2026 Special Instructions

Fordham University has retained Major, Lindsey & Africa to assist with this executive search.

Interested candidates should submit their application directly through Major, Lindsey & Africa using the link below.

Please do not apply through the Fordham University Careers website, as applications submitted through the University's applicant tracking system will not be considered for this search.

Apply here:

https://careers.mlaglobal.com/us/en/job/253630/Director-of-Compliance-Risk-Management

EEO Statement

Fordham University is committed to excellence and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.

Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Physical Activity and Work Environment

Physical Activity

Sitting Nearly Continuously Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing) Nearly Continuously Hearing, Listening, Talking Nearly Continuously Standing Seldom Walking Seldom Running Not Required Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling Not Required Climbing stairs Seldom Climbing ladders Not Required Reaching overhead Not Required Pulling, pushing Not Required Shoveling Not Required Lifting - up to 20 pounds Not Required Lifting - up to 50 pounds Not Required Lifting - over 50 pounds Not Required

Work Environment

Work Environment Office Environment: Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.