"SYSTEMWIDE DIRECTOR OF INVESTIGATIONS - ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE MANAGER 3 - HYBRID"

Department Overview

The Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Audit Services (ECAS) is located at the systemwide University of California Office of the President (UCOP) and is an independent Regental office that is responsible for developing and administering the University of California's (UC) compliance and audit programs and thereby ensuring that the University is in compliance with professional standards; internal policies and procedures; and all applicable local, national and international laws and regulations. ECAS provides this support through three core lines of service: Audit Services, Compliance Services and Investigations Services. The Audit Services Office within ECAS is responsible for the systemwide internal audit program (audits, investigations and advisory services) and for the internal audit program at UCOP. The Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance and Audit Officer (SVP) is the Principal Officer of the Board of Regents of the University of California. The SVP provides communication and updates to the Regents through the Board's Compliance and Audit Committee or the full Board if required.

Position Summary

The Director of Investigations is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of UCOP systemwide workplace investigations program under the UC Whistleblower Policies. This position guides the investigative function and represents the University on matters of high sensitivity and consequence. The role has significant systemwide impact and strategic responsibility. It requires leading complex investigative matters, promoting consistency in the application of best practices across all UC locations, and operating effectively within a large, distributed university system. As a recognized leader and subject matter expert, the Director provides advice to the SVP and other executive leadership, manages both location-specific and multi-location matters, and builds strong partnerships to ensure coordinated outcomes. The role requires diplomacy, judgment, and communication, ensuring that complex, and sensitive matters are handled with credibility, objectivity and integrity. Please note this is a Hybrid position in Oakland, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• 20% Program Leadership and Strategy. Leads the continuous improvement of the University's systemwide workplace investigations program, ensuring alignment with UC Whistleblower Policies, state and federal requirements, and the University's commitment to ethical values, integrity and confidentiality. Develops and executes long-term strategic plans that build investigative capacity and reinforce accountability. Fosters a speak-up culture in which concerns are addressed through timely, impartial, and thorough review. Serves as a neutral and trusted advisor to executive leadership on complex and highly visible matters. Provides clear, well-reasoned assessments and recommendations in alignment with UC policy, to support informed decisions. Provides direct supervision of the investigations team, ensuring effective oversight of workload, case tracking, and status reporting. Oversees investigations of varying scope, including UCOP and location-specific matters and those involving multiple locations, ensuring appropriate coordination and consistent application of investigative best practices. Represents the University in systemwide and external forums, contributing to investigative best practices within higher education and public institutions.
• 20% Executive Advisory and Stakeholder Engagement. Builds and sustains effective, professional relationships with UCOP and campus partners, UC Legal, UC Police, and external regulatory bodies, and coordinates closely with other investigative units at UCOP, as appropriate. Navigates complex environments with strong judgment, professionalism, and discretion. Upholds transparency, objectivity, and statutory and policy obligations while maintaining appropriate confidentiality. Communicates investigative findings, trends, and recommendations in plain, direct language, distilling complex matters into clear, accessible information. Gains consensus where appropriate and advances key initiatives through professionalism, and credibility.
• 30% Operational Oversight and Team Leadership. Directs and develops a team of systemwide investigators and external consultants, setting standards of excellence in investigative methods and professional development. Oversees planning and resource coordination for all investigative work, ensuring clear scoping, structured workflows, consistent case management and timely completion. Maintains complete, well-organized investigative records to ensure accuracy, continuity, and reliable documentation of all matters. Builds a strong team culture that emphasizes accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement. Responsible for triage, charge letters and oversight of the preparation of investigative reports that are thorough, well-written, and timely. Reports present essential information objectively and offer conclusions that are clear and well supported.
• 25% Training, Policy, and Systemwide Coordination. Leads systemwide training efforts to build investigative skills and support consistent use of best practices across all UC locations. Oversees the UC whistleblower hotline to support effective reporting, monitoring, and communication of key trends to senior leadership and The Regents. Works with Locally Designated Officials (LDOs) and other key stakeholders to maintain cohesive policies, procedures, and investigative practices across the system.
• 5% Other Duties as Assigned. Performs other high-level responsibilities as directed by the SVP, including participation in other Office of Ethics, Compliance and Audit initiatives.

Experience

Preferred Qualifications
Minimum 10 years relevant experience

Skills and Abilities

Required Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to plan and organize a system wide investigations program requiring leadership and consensus building skills. Ability to establish appropriate working relationships with regulatory/investigatory agencies, as required.
Demonstrated ability to work as a leader in a collaborative environment, to exercise good judgment, and to bring about consensus on sensitive and politically-charged issues among groups possessing diverse options and requirements.
Strong investigation background and demonstrated experience in conducting investigations as follows: managing investigations from start to finish, including the intake triage process, preliminary background research, investigation planning, interviewing and report drafting.
Demonstrated supervisory and/or management experience as follows: putting an appropriate team structure in place, including standards for planning and documenting investigations, managing a team of experienced investigators, providing timely feedback, training and professional development.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and prioritize projects for completion in a timely manner. Strong project management skills, ability to organize and prioritize projects, establish and/or maintain documentation and recordkeeping standards consistent with best practices, and manage multiple/competing deadlines and priorities.
Communication skills that demonstrate the ability to effectively synthesize, convey and explain information to individuals of all levels of the organization. Demonstrated ability to draft clear, concise and logical reports, correspondence and summaries, and to make presentations to senior leadership, UCOP Investigations workgroup, and others.
Ability to work closely with the General Counsel's Office. Must possess knowledge of the rules of evidence, federal and state laws protecting employees against harassment, discrimination, retaliation and employee privacy rights, etc. Ability to serve as a witness and/or as an expert witness for the University in administrative hearings, depositions and in court trials.
Excellent qualitative and analytical skills as shown by work experience that demonstrates ability to identify, analyze and investigate potential problems; propose and develop action plans; and implement plan to resolve identified issues.
Law degree or a relevant degree and demonstrated understanding of workplace investigations and process.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated understanding and experience in working with a wide range of policies and their relevance in the higher education environment.
Experience in conducting investigations in a higher education setting.
The ability to be an effective trainer both in a classroom setting and on the job.

Education

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced Degree preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

Preferred Qualifications
Certification from AWI (Association of Workplace Investigators) or other related
Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional credential (CCEP) is desirable as this position will work in collaboration with the subject matter experts in Healthcare, Research and other compliance areas within the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Audit Services.

Job Title

Ethics and Compliance Manager 3

Job Code

006057

Salary Grade

Grade 29

Payscale

$240,000 - $266,000

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is February 17, 2026. The position will be open until filled.