Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Officer

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ETHICS, INTEGRITY, AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Reporting to the President, the University’s inaugural Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Officer (EICO) will serve as a champion across all three campuses and the academic medical center for ethics, integrity, and compliance (EIC). The EICO assists units in coordinating EIC activities and responds to compliance guidance questions; advises the President, Executive Officer team, and Board of Regents on EIC issues; and coordinates with key stakeholders to develop and track training across the entire enterprise, including developing priorities, so faculty and staff are knowledgeable of institutional policies and pertinent federal and state standards. The EICO will develop an ongoing campaign to heighten awareness of the university’s various compliance programs; chair the Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Committee; and work with EIC officials to support their work and gain further insights on issues across the entire enterprise.

Additional responsibilities of the position include:

• Serve as a key leader and catalyst for instilling EIC values and best practices throughout all University of Michigan (U-M) campuses and Michigan Medicine.
• Review hotline reports and other sources of information to identify potential areas for risk, particular cross-cutting compliance issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Meet with units and audits to ensure follow-up on audit recommendations, as appropriate.
• Engage on ethical matters with a high degree of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality and with the utmost care for the people and units involved.
• Create and maintain a compliance matrix.
• Maintain policy library.
• Provide a status report to the Board on a quarterly basis.
• Work with other units, including University survey research experts, to develop an ethics, integrity, and compliance survey on a regular cadence.
• Develop and publish a public annual report that analyzes the then-current state of ethics, integrity, and compliance.
• Partner with culture and values leaders to ensure the University is living up to its highest aspirations.
• Special assignments as determined by the President, and when appropriate the Board of Regents

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARATERISTICS OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

A bachelor’s degree and at least ten years of compliance or related experience are required. An advanced degree and significant experience in higher education, particularly at public research institutions with an academic medical center and large collegiate sports program, are preferred. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of challenges and opportunities for ethics, integrity, and compliance at large, complex institutions; demonstrated success in building relationships and generating trust with key stakeholders; and a demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple, complex, time-sensitive efforts simultaneously with a high degree of organization and effectiveness.

Additional characteristics of a successful candidate include:

• Demonstrated ability to listen and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Adept at navigating and responding to sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Good judgment and creative, practical problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with a diverse range of partners/stakeholders.
• Integrity and a strong moral and ethical compass.
• A deep and abiding commitment to the mission of higher education.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE ROLE

In transitioning to U-M, the new EICO will encounter the following additional opportunities, priorities, and challenges:

• Balance the needs of individuals against the institution’s legal responsibility—it will be necessary to steer the appropriate course between advocacy for all constituents while ensuring the university complies with appropriate laws and regulations.
• Develop and maintain a highly collaborative approach, even in contentious situations that partners with University departments on issues of ethics, integrity, and compliance.
• U-M is a highly decentralized institution, so it will be essential for the EICO to build collegial relationships and work collaboratively across all U-M campuses and Michigan Medicine.
• Demonstrate the sensitivity and tact essential to responding to individuals’ concerns with the necessary personal and professional resolve when circumstances dictate that the EICO adopts an unpopular position.
• Provide appropriate attention to matters of concern to varied constituents.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

As the role of the EICO evolves, the person appointed to this position will need to assess the equity and compliance environment of the University and work with the President, General Counsel, and other critical stakeholders to develop both a short-term and longer-term plan for the EIC Office. The new EICO will need to meet with the internal departments and external partners that are currently handling complaints, investigations, and training to better understand the landscape of the offices who work in areas of compliance.

The following items will initially define success for the new EICO:

• There is clear evidence that the EICO has built productive, collaborative relationships across the institution.
• The EICO has effectively educated U-M campuses and Michigan Medicine on the department’s function and processes.
• Data collection processes and the use of assessment measures are in place, enabling data-driven decisions within the EIC Office and across the institution.
• The EICO effectively and efficiently addresses issues and provide timely responses to the organizations and individuals who engage with the Office.
• The EICO has engaged critical stakeholders in discussions about best practices and the University’s direction on issues of ethics, integrity, and compliance.