Description
Title: Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer
Position Number: 0089557
Hiring Unit: VP for Legal Affairs & University General Counsel
Location: Manoa Campus
Date Posted: April 7, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous until filled, review to begin 4/22/2026
Salary Range: SM3: $162,156 - $291,885
Other Salary Info.: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience within budgetary limitations
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
INTRODUCTION:
The University of Hawai‘i System is a complex multi-campus system comprised of doctoral research universities, comprehensive regional campuses, and community colleges. The Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer (CCEO) serves as the system-wide executive leader with responsibility for providing vision, leadership, and oversight of the University’s compliance and ethics administration, policy development, and implementation.
The CCEO reports directly to the Vice President for Legal Affairs and University General Counsel and provides regular, independent reports to various stakeholders, including the President, the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents, State Ethics Commission, and the Hawai‘i state legislature. As the system-wide leader for institutional compliance integrity, the CCEO promotes a culture of ethical transparency and education. The CCEO partners with system and campus leadership to develop structures that integrate compliance into university operations, fostering an institutional culture of integrity and accountability within a rapidly evolving landscape.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Provides executive leadership as the chief compliance and ethics officer of the University System, responsible for the strategic design and management of a comprehensive Compliance and Ethics Program based on federal standards.
Conceives, designs, and implements a vision for an institutional compliance structure that aligns with the University’s mission and core values, moving beyond mere legal adherence to a proactive ethical framework.
Assesses and implements specialized technology and automated systems to address compliance issues, including data-driven monitoring tools and integrated policy management software.
Ensures the integrity of system-wide policies by collaborating with and assisting key stakeholders to ensure university policies are current, clear, and comprehensive. Provides strategic oversight to make sure the University’s policy landscape addresses both foundational requirements and emerging issues.
Oversees the Conflict of Interest (COI) and Outside Employment program with Office of Human Resources, utilizing digital portals to manage disclosures related to professional transparency.
Collaborates with the Office of Risk Management and the Office for Internal Audit to address the Whistleblower Hotline and other intake systems, ensuring anonymous reporting mechanisms are secure, non-retaliatory, and that all reports are triaged and investigated with high-level discretion.
Develops and implements action plans, training, and education awareness initiatives in collaboration with stakeholders; utilizes adaptive learning technologies to provide role-specific compliance education for faculty, staff, and students.
Leads communication and outreach strategies to build institutional awareness of ethical standards, ensuring a unified "tone at the top" across all campuses.
Conducts regular compliance risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities before they result in institutional failure.
Leads or assists in investigations and violation responses for policies owned or co-owned by the CCEO’s office. Provides investigative support to compliance owners as appropriate to ensure institutional consistency. Develops corrective actions plans in collaboration with stakeholders to address systemic issues identified in inquiries.
Advises the Vice President regarding emerging local, State, and Federal legislation impacting University operations, making recommendations on required changes to maintain compliance.
May represent the University at the legislature and with state and federal regulatory agencies regarding compliance and ethical governance matters.
Adheres to applicable laws, regulations, and policies and procedures of the University, raises awareness among staff, and direct them in such a way that University compliance requirements are met.
Identifies and mitigates through policy development/revision/enhancement and training, areas of risk and developing risk to the University, e.g., legal, financial, reputation, and compliance risk, and ensure team is aware and focused on addressing same.
Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited institution or a terminal degree in Ethics, Public Policy, Higher Education Administration, or related field.
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in compliance, legal, or regulatory management, including five years as a senior or project manager in a large, multi-tiered organization.
Demonstrated experience with executive-level administration with oversight of whistleblower hotlines, personnel investigations, and policy development.
Demonstrated ability to establish trust and transparency with internal and external constituents, particularly when handling sensitive or controversial investigations.
Technical proficiency in assessing and managing compliance-related technology (GRC systems, COI portals, or electronic human resource databases).
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, with the ability to translate complex state and/or federal laws into clear institutional standards.
Ability to comprehend and interpret administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) or equivalent professional certification.
Administrative experience in a public multi-institutional university system managing complex risks like Research Security, Title IX, and NCAA compliance.
Experience working effectively with governing boards and legislative bodies on matters of institutional ethics.
Knowledge of the University of Hawai‘i organization and its specific administrative structure and operational procedures.
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.Required Question