Operational Architecture: The CCO will formally lead and chair
the Institutional Strategic Risk and Compliance Group, coordinating
legal, risk, audit, and information security leaders to address
emerging enterprise risks.
Distributed Accountability: The CCO will guide the systemwide
Compliance Partner network, leveraging a decentralized,
collaborative model to share information and scale best
practices
across all five campuses. The CCO will formalize cross-functional
affinity groups organized around key areas of risk and compliance,
such as international activities, research, clinical care, student
services, athletics, and data/privacy.
Enterprise Integration & Network Leadership
The CCO will lead and strengthen the University’s Compliance
Partner network, modeled on a distributed accountability framework
with clear institutional alignment. Leveraging University of
Minnesota’s institutional culture that values communication and
relationships, the CCO will establish mechanisms for information
sharing, escalation, and coordination across compliance areas.
Across these efforts, the CCO will ensure that compliance risks are
identified and addressed collaboratively across organizational
boundaries.
Privacy & Regulatory Oversight
The CCO will recruit and onboard a Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) to
oversee a newly established Privacy Office within OIC. In close
partnership with the CPO, the CCO will guide a unified privacy
governance framework that defines principles, assigns
decision-making authority, and coordinates privacy-related efforts
across IT, research, healthcare, and administrative units.
Moreover, the CCO, in collaboration with the CPO, will strengthen
the University’s approach to privacy and data protection, ensuring
compliance with HIPAA, FERPA, GDPR, and other privacy laws and
regulations. The University’s Health Information Privacy &
Compliance Office (HIPCO) will transition from the Office of
Academic Clinical Affairs to the Privacy Office within OIC. The CCO
will hire a Chief Privacy Officer who will oversee the HIPCO.
Core Compliance Program Leadership
The CCO will provide oversight and strategic direction for OIC’s
core compliance programs, including institutional compliance
coordination, conflict of interest, University policy, delegations
of authority, and suspected misconduct reporting and investigations
through the University’s confidential UReport system. They will
continuously review and strengthen these programs to reflect
constantly evolving best practices and regulatory
requirements.
Training, Onboarding & Role Clarity
The CCO will review and strengthen a comprehensive, role-based
compliance education framework to enhance awareness and
accountability across the University. In partnership with Human
Resources and University compliance leaders, the CCO will implement
a curriculum tailored by job function and a corresponding tracking
system that ensures completion and identifies areas of
non-compliance. To support training efforts, the CCO will create a
comprehensive inventory of compliance responsibilities, mapping
roles across academic, administrative, research, and operational
units to clarify ownership, reduce duplication, and strengthen
coordination across the University’s decentralized
environment.
Risk Identification, Reporting & Communication
In close collaboration with Internal Audit, Office of the General
Counsel, Enterprise Risk Management, and other key partners, the
CCO will participate in the University’s enterprise-wide approach
to identifying, assessing, and managing compliance risks. They will
enhance institutional visibility into compliance trends and
emerging areas of concern by harnessing data, reporting, and
analytics. To promote awareness and accountability regarding risk,
the CCO will develop and implement a comprehensive communication
and training strategy that reaches constituents across the
University community.
Leadership & Team Management
The incoming CCO will inherit a dedicated, collaborative, and
stable team within the Office of Institutional Compliance. Backed
by seasoned professionals who possess deep institutional knowledge,
the office has maintained high performance and strong operational
continuity throughout this transition period. The CCO will lead the
Office of Institutional Compliance, providing direction for staff,
resources, and program priorities, while developing and supporting
this team to drive the University’s mission. The CCO will need to
hire a Chief Privacy Officer to oversee HIPCO and other privacy
programs. The CCO will build a highperforming and collaborative
culture that strives for continuous improvement and operational
effectiveness and efficiency. The CCO will also cultivate a culture
of mutual respect, integrity, and shared accountability, motivating
OIC to develop strong partnerships and provide a high level of
support and service across the University.
COMPENSATION AND LOCATION
The Associate Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer position
is a 100-percent time, 12-month, professional and administrative
(P&A) appointment based in Minneapolis. Salary is commensurate
with education and experience, with an anticipated salary range of
$273,395 to $325,545.
The University of Minnesota offers excellent benefits. Please visit
the Office of Human Resources website for more information
regarding benefit eligibility.
Qualifications
While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful
candidate will bring many of the following professional
qualifications and personal attributes:
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 15 years of progressively
responsible experience, including a minimum of five years in
compliance, privacy, risk, legal, audit, regulatory, or a closely
related function
- Demonstrated success leading, designing, and implementing
enterprise compliance or risk management programs in complex
organizations
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and
relationship-building skills
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (e.g., JD, Master’s)
- Experience in higher education or other large, decentralized
organization
- Experience working with governing boards and senior
leadership
- Experience leading an institutional compliance, enterprise
risk, privacy, regulatory, legal, audit, or related function in a
complex organization
- Experience managing privacy regulations at a complex
institution that includes healthcare operations
Key Leadership Competencies
- Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills
- Strategic and enterprise mindset
- Integrity and sound judgment
- Ability to lead through influence in a decentralized
environment
- Capacity to translate complex risks into clear, actionable
insights
- Commitment to continuous improvement and institutional
excellence
About the Department
OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL COMPLIANCE
The
Office of Institutional
Compliance (OIC) helps the University and its community comply
with applicable laws, regulations, and University policies, while
strengthening awareness of the role compliance and integrity play
in advancing the University’s mission. OIC’s ethics work
complements this effort by fostering a culture in which members of
the University community act in alignment with University
values.
OIC includes five major program areas: Privacy,
Compliance Operations,
Conflict of Interest ,
Administrative Policy , and
Delegations of Authority .
Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $273,395 to $325,545 ; depending on
education/qualifications/experience
Time Appointment: 100% Appointment
Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff
Please visit the
Office of Human Resources website for more
information regarding benefit eligibility.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that
includes:
- Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
- Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit
Program
- Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- University HSA contributions
- Disability and employer-paid life insurance
- Employee wellbeing program
- Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
opportunity
- Financial counseling services
- Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling
at no cost
- Employee Transit
Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro
area
While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to
note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This
approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of
each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our
commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to
incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.
How To Apply
APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and
continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries,
nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent
via the Isaacson, Miller website:
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-minnesota/chief-compliance-officer.
This position will remain open until filled.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please
e-mail
employ@umn.edu or call
(612) 624-8647.
Diversity
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity
and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its
employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is
committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying
identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and
opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without
regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,
age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran
status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
To learn more about diversity at the U:
http://diversity.umn.edu
Employment Requirements
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful
completion of a background check. Our presumption is that
prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal
convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from
employment.
About University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the
largest public research universities in the country, offering
undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of
opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one
of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities,
students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from
extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers,
international corporations, government agencies, and arts,
nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by
Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer
for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026,
we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards
recognition for employee appreciation and work-life
flexibility.