Director of Enterprise Risk Management

Job Summary

The Director of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) will support the Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk Management in leading, implementing, and advancing a comprehensive ERM Program in accordance with best-in-class frameworks suited for higher education. This individual will be responsible for daily tactical and operational management of the ERM program, fostering effective risk identification, evaluation, mitigation, and integration of risk considerations into strategic and operational decision-making throughout UW–Madison.

This position is housed within the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) and reports directly to the Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk Management. The Director will work collaboratively with senior leadership and key campus partners to advance institutional risk management priorities.

This position is designated as a 100% onsite role, with regular in-person engagement required to support campus-wide collaboration, leadership consultation, and ERM governance activities.

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Coordinate risk response plan development.
• Implement and oversee a robust ERM framework and strategy to systematically identify, assess, manage, monitor, and mitigate institutional risks, including by facilitating UW-Madison’s annual Enterprise Risk Assessment.
• Serve as Chair of the Risk Work Group.
• Create and update ERM procedures, tools, and training programs to support a sustainable, evolving risk culture aligned with strategic, academic, research, and operational goals.
• Continually monitor the higher education, regulatory, and risk landscapes to identify emerging threats and ensure UW–Madison remains proactive in its risk posture.
• Prepare and deliver regular risk reports to campus leadership, governance committees, and the Board of Regents as appropriate.
• Support the university’s annual planning and strategic processes, integrating risk management into institutional decision-making and resource allocation.
• Lead the development and routine review of the university’s institutional risk appetite and tolerance thresholds, collaborating with campus leadership, governance bodies, and advisory committees.
• Advise executive management, including the Executive Leadership Team and other senior leaders, on risk issues influencing institutional strategy, planning, compliance, and long-term resilience.

Department

Office of Legal Affairs

Compensation

Salary is negotiable and will be based on experience and qualifications. The anticipated minimum annual salary for well-qualified candidates is $150,000.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Learn more here.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years’ progressively responsible experience in risk management, compliance, audit, or related field, with at least 2 years in a director or senior management capacity within a large-scale, complex organization with collaboration across multiple groups and functions.
• Experience with or deep understanding of key risk management frameworks (such as COSO, ISO 31000, or NIST) and their application in large institutions.
• Demonstrated, ongoing professional development in ERM (e.g., through certifications, continuing education, or comparable engagement).
• Experience engaging with governing boards, executive committees, and high-level stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals at all organizational levels, including executive leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Proven success managing large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects in dynamic, complex environments.
• Knowledge of GRC technology platforms to facilitate risk management processes.
• Experience adopting, using, or optimizing GRC technology platforms preferred.
• Track record as a thoughtful problem-solver, innovator, and facilitator able to advance institutional priorities.

In addition, qualified candidates will demonstrate the following Core Competencies:

• High ethical standards, professional integrity, and commitment to confidentiality.
• Superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, tailored to a variety of audiences.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and strategic leadership capabilities.
• Excellent facilitation, collaboration, and negotiation abilities.
• Demonstrated initiative in continuous process improvement and risk innovation.
• Diplomacy and sound judgment in managing sensitive and confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Higher education, public sector, or governmental organization experience strongly preferred.

Education

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (JD, MBA, or related discipline) strongly preferred.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, click on the "I am a current employee" button or "I am not a current employee" button under . Please upload the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of qualifications

The hiring committee will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process. Your resume and letter of qualifications should detail your training and experience as they relate to the required and preferred qualifications listed above.

University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Contact Information

Kory Breuer, HR Manager, kory.breuer@wisc.edu