Assistant Vice President, Institutional Compliance & Privacy

Overview

The Vice President, Institutional Compliance & Security is hiring for an Assistant Vice President of Institutional Compliance & Privacy. This role provides strategic leadership, coordination, and oversight for the University's compliance and privacy programs. Maintains consistent adherence to applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures, in alignment with best practices for effective compliance programs as outlined in the U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Serves as the University's Chief Privacy Officer (CPO), responsible for establishing and maintaining a comprehensive privacy program that meets federal, state, and international requirements and is grounded in the Fair Information Practice Principles. Collaborates extensively with stakeholders across campus to promote a culture of ethics, accountability, and proactive risk management. Its scope spans all four divisions of Auburn University (AU), ensuring a unified and institution‑wide approach to compliance and privacy stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic direction and oversight for the University's comprehensive compliance program, including policy development, due diligence, monitoring and auditing, training and communication, enforcement and Provides strategic direction and oversight for the University’s comprehensive compliance program, including discipline, incident response, prevention strategies, and continuous risk assessment.
• Enhances compliance functions across all divisions through committees, working groups, consultations, and site visits. Monitors emerging federal, state, and international compliance and privacy requirements, as well as relevant technological developments, and drives institutional policy, process, and awareness updates.
• Directs, through others, the Youth Protection Program, the institutional Privacy Program (including HIPAA privacy compliance), and the University‑wide Conflict of Interest (COI) Management Program.
• Serves as the University's Chief Privacy Officer. Builds and maintains a strategic, enterprise‑level privacy program grounded in the Fair Information Practice Principles. Develops and implements policies and processes that ensure consistent privacy practices, mitigate risk, and safeguard PHI (Protected Health Information, PII (Personal identifiable Information), financial data, and student education records. Conducts privacy impact assessments for new and existing systems, leads privacy training and awareness efforts, and serves on the ISIRT (Information Security Incident Response Team) to determine whether incidents or data exposures are reportable under applicable laws.
• Monitors regulatory developments affecting the University and, in collaboration with distributed compliance officers, designs compliance methodologies and monitoring strategies. Drafts University‑wide policies and develops new programs as needed. Facilitates the Institutional Compliance Committee through regular meetings and initiatives.
• Oversees the creation and deployment of compliance‑related training within the University’s Learning Management System (LMS). Partners with subject matter experts to develop effective online, in‑person, and virtual training. Ensures employees receive timely and relevant education on regulatory requirements and institutional policies, and coordinates training efforts for efficiency and impact.
• Coordinates the University’s compliance with Alabama’s “Statement of Economic Interests” (SEI) reporting requirements. Identifies employees required to file, submits required lists to the Alabama Ethics Commission, notifies employees, and serves as the University’s liaison to the Commission. Provides ethics guidance to University personnel.
• Serves as a member of Auburn’s Key Management Personnel (KMP) team, requiring a government security clearance. Collaborates with the Senior Vice President for Research & Economic Development to oversee and monitor the Research Security Compliance Office.
• Engages the campus community through the OACP website, presentations, email communications, and other channels to promote awareness of compliance and privacy obligations. Fosters a culture of ethical conduct and institutional integrity.
• Works closely with senior administrators, including the General Counsel, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer, to interpret laws and regulations, provide guidance, evaluate risk, and recommend internal controls. Represents the Vice President for Institutional Compliance & Security in administrative meetings as requested.
• Partners with Internal Audit to assess institutional risk, manage the anonymous reporting hotline, monitor compliance activities, and strengthen policies, procedures, awareness, and prevention efforts.
• Prepares the annual Institutional Compliance & Privacy Report for the Board of Trustees. Elevates significant compliance and privacy issues to the Vice President for Institutional Compliance & Security to ensure the Board is appropriately informed of institutional risks and activities.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business, Law, Communication, Public Administration, or related field.
• 10 years of experience leading and managing compliance programs in a complex organizational or higher‑education environment, including responsibility for policy interpretation, regulatory compliance, program development, and cross‑functional coordination.
• Supervisory or program‑leadership experience is required. 

OR

• Juris Doctorate
• 8 years of experience leading and managing compliance programs in a complex organizational or higher‑education environment, including responsibility for policy interpretation, regulatory compliance, program development, and cross‑functional coordination.
• Supervisory or program‑leadership experience is required.

Required Certifications & Clearance:

• U.S. Government Clearance Upon Hire Required And
• Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) Upon Hire Required Or
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Upon Hire Required Or
• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) Upon Hire Required Or
• Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) Upon Hire Required Or
• U.S. Government Clearance Upon Hire Required And
• Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) Upon Hire Required Or
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Upon Hire Required Or
• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) Upon Hire Required Or
• Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) Upon Hire Required Or

Contract Type

Continuing
Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
• Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.