DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The UC San Diego Office of Ethics & Compliance (OEC) serves as an independent, objective internal resource responsible for coordinating and monitoring the University's ethics, compliance and enterprise risk activities. Our goal is to help the University fulfill its responsibilities to the people of California, protect the well-being of the institution and advance our educational mission by deterring misconduct and promoting honest, ethical conduct in which applicable laws, rules and regulations are followed and the public trust is maintained. OEC reports to the Chancellor and provides senior leaders with a cross-functional emerging view of risks, leading to more informed strategic decisions, better allocation of resources and stronger governance practices.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Join the Investigations Team in the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) at the forefront of empowering a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability at UC San Diego. Our department’s primary goal is to help the University fulfill its responsibilities to the people of California, protect the well-being of the institution, and advance our mission. We do this by deterring misconduct and promoting honest, ethical conduct and ensure applicable laws, rules, and regulations are following and the public trust is maintained. If you want to be part of our team and contribute to this mission, apply now to become the Assistant Director of Investigations at UC San Diego’s Office of Ethics and Compliance!

As the Assistant Director of Investigations at UC San Diego, you will serve as a subject matter expert for key processes, including case management, database oversight, and records requests. We are looking for a technical leader with recognized expertise, who can problem-solve unique issues and function with a high degree of autonomy, providing guidance to others. This involves analyzing complex processes and formulating strategies for developing efficiencies while remaining person-centered.

You’ll report to the Executive Director of Investigations and Deputy Locally Designated Official, and work closely together in addressing emerging high-risk issues, deconflicting cases across the organization, and ensuring cases are resolved in a timely manner. You will also develop comprehensive data reports for the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Executive Director, and partner offices that increase visibility into case details and trends. These data reports will facilitate recommending and facilitating improvements ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.

The Assistant Director, Investigations plays a critical role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the whistleblower hotline and investigative matters at UC San Diego. The Assistant Director serves as a subject matter expert for investigations and processes, particularly for the case management system, develops dashboards and reports, and recommends and facilitates process improvements. Additionally, the Assistant Director deconflicts cases across the organization, reviews complaints filed under the Whistleblower Protection Policy, provides backup support to case coordination and technical case management, and manages records requests received by the office. This role requires a technical leader with recognized expertise in specific areas, who can problem-solve unique issues and function with a high degree of autonomy, providing guidance to others. The Assistant Director will analyze complex processes and formulate strategies for developing efficiencies while remaining person-centered. This role will normally receive high-level oversight on assignments with general instruction provided on new or more complex compliance work.

Position is designated "Confidential" within the meaning of the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act.

This position is exempt from overtime; however, the incumbent may be required to work over 40 hours per week and nights and weekends as needed.

• Please submit a cover letter along with a resume for a complete application.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience in exercising independent judgment assessing, planning, and conducting workplace investigations. Experience conducting whistleblower investigations is preferred.

• Expert knowledge of the ethics and compliance profession, theories and systems of internal control, and professional compliance and investigations standards.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and experience in researching and interpreting data. Ability to synthesize large amounts of data (qualitative and quantitative) and clearly present data to different audiences and for different purposes. Thorough analytical skills to review data to analyze for trends, patterns, and systemic issues.

• Demonstrated ability to ensure proper record-keeping, understand data management processes and ensure appropriate data is properly collected and maintained.

• Comprehensive project management skills. Ability to handle large volume of cases and manage multiple assignments by effectively planning, organizing and prioritizing assignments with demanding time frames and deadlines.

• Ensures management corrective actions are in place following complex and or politically sensitive investigations. Confirms appropriate monitoring controls are utilized. Responsible for the most sensitive of investigation subjects.

• Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the historical and social context of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and of the complexities of the intersections of various communities and demonstrated ability to translate that knowledge into practical applications, processes, policies, responses, and programs.

• Ensures organization has appropriate critical coordinated response systems with effective and efficient controls in place. Confirms organization compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in a complex changing environment. Provides cross functional coordination for risk mitigation.

• Identifies compliance issues of importance to the organization which frequently cross organizational lines. Develops appropriate analytical and procedural framework for addressing the issues in the organization.

• Develops metrics and monitors for themes. Facilitates discussion on related risks and prioritization of resolution.

• Experience gathering and organizing information, conducting analysis, and making recommendations on issues that are complex in nature; clear, critical thinker.

• Excellent interpersonal skills to work independently with all levels of University personnel, including management and faculty, and to facilitate agreement on issues and corrective actions. Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with campus administrators, staff, faculty and students. Ability to assist or consult with administrators, staff and faculty in assessing procedural, policy or ethical concerns in complex matters. Exceptional tact, diplomacy, discretion, professionalism, and judgment in the exercise of decision-making and higher- level communications.

• Excellent skills in presenting information in a thorough and complete manner. Expert writing cogent, objective and persuasive reports, and presenting analyses both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to deliver training and presentations to a variety of audiences. Successful ability to edit complex investigative reports and simplify language to ensure readability and compliance with policy requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to remain independent, neutral and objective in all investigations, and to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive work related information.

• Leads task forces to respond to the highest profile complaint cases and / or those with significant potential impact to the organization. Advises on issues without precedence. Provides industry benchmarks.

• Develops proposals and recommendations to guide and support a broader strategic direction for the organization. Leads or participates on systemwide committees to address complex cross-campus issues with significant impact. Topics may include security, integrity of information, conflict of interest and records data management. Typically represents OP or a campus on system-wide committees. Assists department with building expertise in ethics and compliance. Expresses overall viewpoint of leadership.

• Participates with high level management in strategic thinking and planning in regards to ethics and compliance policy. Develops benchmarks / training for complex topics.

• Provides leadership, guidance, education, and policy development to the organization on ethics and compliance.

• Is a resource to ethics and compliance professionals; provides coaching and guidance.

• Applies sound principles and standards in completing highly complex and technical assignments.

• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, and report on issues and recommendations that are complex in nature. Ability to apply policy and legal concepts to issues.

• Ability to communicate complex information to all levels of management and administrators in a clear and concise manner both written and verbal.

PREFERRED:

• JD or Master’s degree or above preferred.

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in complaint resolution and/or investigations preferred.

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in data analytics and/or statistics, including KPI development and data analysis for large data sets preferred.

• Professional certification(s) applicable to job responsibilities, such as AWI-CH certification through the Association of Workplace Investigators, CCEP (Certified Compliance and Ethics Professionals) through the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics, or equivalent certification(s) preferred.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Background check required.

• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requiring to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained online.

• This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), and requires immediate reporting of Clery Act crimes occurring on Clery Act geography to the UC San Diego Police Department (UCPD). It is the responsibility of the CSA to ensure they obtain proper training in order to fulfill their reporting responsibilities as required by the Clery Act and University policy, and to complete and submit the required reports to the UCPD without delay.