University Compliance Officer

Delaware State University; Dover (DE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Delaware State University seeks an University Compliance Officer to lead a risk-based, institution-wide program under the Office of the General Counsel. You will coordinate across academic, administrative, athletic, and research units and promote a culture of integrity and accountability.

The role reports to the Vice President of Legal Affairs & General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer, overseeing policy development, training, monitoring, and investigations, with cross-department collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of five years in compliance, audit, or related regulatory functions.
• Experience developing or administering university-level compliance programs.
• Ability to interpret complex regulations and advise administrators.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the university-wide compliance program with risk-based strategy.
• Monitor regulatory developments and coordinate policy implementation across units.
• Support investigations, triage findings, and track corrective actions.
• Prepare compliance reports and dashboards for senior leaders and the Board.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Policy development

Investigation coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Banner

Job description

The University Compliance Officer (“Compliance Officer”) is responsible for coordinating and strengthening Delaware State University’s (“DSU” or the “University”) institution-wide compliance program under the direction of the Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”). Reporting to the Vice President of Legal Affairs & General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer, the Compliance Officer leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive, risk-based compliance program designed to promote a culture of integrity, ethical conduct, and accountability across the University’s academic, administrative, athletic, and research activities.

The Compliance Officer serves as a central point of coordination for the University’s many regulatory obligations, working across departments to identify compliance risk, monitor adherence to legal and policy requirements, deliver training, and support investigations and corrective action. The position complements, and does not supplant, the University’s designated subject‑matter compliance officials—including the Title IX Coordinator, the ADA/504 Compliance Officer, the Clery and campus‑safety functions, the Athletics Compliance Officer, and research compliance personnel—by providing coordinated oversight, gap analysis, and reporting for the institution as a whole.

Organizational Structure

The Compliance Officer reports to the Vice President of Legal Affairs & General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer and is a member of the Office of the General Counsel. The Compliance Officer works collaboratively with, and provides coordinated oversight across, University offices with distributed compliance responsibilities, including Title IX, the Center for Disability Resources, Public Safety, Athletics Compliance, Human Resources, Finance, Procurement, Sponsored Programs and Research, Information Technology, and academic units. Depending on institutional needs and the incumbent’s experience, the Compliance Officer may supervise compliance, investigative, or administrative staff assigned to the institutional compliance function. The following functions are essential to performing this job. Other duties may be assigned consistent with institutional needs and the direction of the Deputy General Counsel or General Counsel.

Compliance Program Leadership

• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective, risk‑based, University‑wide compliance program consistent with recognized standards for effective compliance programs and the mission of the Office of the General Counsel.
• Coordinate compliance efforts across academic, administrative, athletic, and research units, and serve as a central resource on institutional compliance obligations.
• Develop and maintain a compliance risk assessment and a corresponding annual compliance work plan; monitor and report on the effectiveness of the program to the General Counsel and, as directed, to senior leadership and relevant University committees.
• Establish and maintain mechanisms for reporting suspected non‑compliance, including a confidential reporting process, and ensure that reports are appropriately triaged, referred, and tracked to resolution consistent with University policy and applicable law.

Regulatory Oversight & Risk Management

• Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting the University, and monitor legal and regulatory developments for their compliance implications.
• Support and coordinate oversight of the University’s obligations under laws including, without limitation, FERPA, Title IV and Higher Education Act requirements, Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504 and the ADAAA, the Age Discrimination Act, the Clery Act and VAWA, HIPAA where applicable, NCAA and conference rules, environmental health and safety requirements, research security and export controls, and federal grant and procurement requirements.
• Partner with University stakeholders to identify, assess, prioritize, and mitigate institutional compliance risk, and recommend policies, controls, and process improvements to address identified gaps.
• Support the University’s conflict‑of‑interest and conflict‑of‑commitment processes and other ethics and integrity functions, as assigned.

Monitoring, Auditing & Investigations

• Design and conduct compliance monitoring and reviews across high‑risk areas, and coordinate with Internal Audit and subject‑matter offices to avoid duplication and ensure appropriate coverage.
• Support and, where appropriate, conduct or coordinate internal compliance investigations under the direction of the Office of the General Counsel, and track corrective and remedial actions to completion.
• Maintain organized records of compliance activities, reports, investigations, and resolutions consistent with University policy, privilege considerations, and applicable retention requirements.
• Assist in preparing for and responding to external audits, regulatory examinations, and agency inquiries, and coordinate the University’s responses in consultation with the OGC.

Policy, Training & Education

• Lead and coordinate the University’s policy‑development lifecycle, including the drafting, review, adoption, publication, and periodic review of institutional policies, in coordination with responsible offices and the OGC.
• Design, deliver, and coordinate compliance and ethics training for faculty, staff, administrators, and student employees, and develop accessible compliance resources for the campus community.
• Promote awareness of compliance obligations and reporting mechanisms, and foster a University‑wide culture of integrity and accountability.

Collaboration, Reporting & Governance

• Serve as chair or member of University compliance‑related committees and task forces, upon request and as approved by the Office of the General Counsel.
• Act as a liaison, in coordination with the OGC, with external agencies on compliance matters and audits.
• Prepare periodic compliance reports and dashboards for the General Counsel and, as directed, for senior leadership and the Board of Trustees, and provide guidance to University leadership on compliance risks and mitigation strategies.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Depending on institutional needs and the incumbent’s experience, the Compliance Officer may supervise compliance, investigative, or administrative staff assigned to the institutional compliance function, including hiring recommendations, training, performance management, and workload distribution. The Compliance Officer coordinates the compliance‑related work of distributed subject‑matter offices without assuming the designated authority of those offices’ officials.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of the federal and state regulatory framework governing institutions of higher education, including Title IX, the Clery Act, FERPA, Title IV, Section 504 and the ADAAA, and related civil rights and campus‑safety laws.
• Demonstrated ability to design, develop, implement, and evaluate compliance programs, policies, monitoring activities, and training in response to regulatory requirements.
• Ability to interpret laws, regulations, and guidance and to advise administrators on their practical application in a university setting.
• Sound judgment and demonstrated ability to manage and safeguard highly sensitive and confidential information, and to conduct or coordinate investigations with discretion, fairness, and impartiality.
• Strong leadership, organizational, project‑management, and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities against deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to establish effective working relationships across a diverse university community and to influence without direct authority.
• Proficiency with standard office technology and familiarity with compliance, case‑management, or policy‑management systems, or the willingness and ability to learn University systems (e.g., Banner).
• Commitment to the mission of the University as a public, land‑grant, historically Black institution.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree (e.g., J.D., or a master’s degree in law, higher education administration, public administration, business, or a related field) is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in compliance, legal, regulatory, audit, or a closely related function, preferably within higher education, healthcare, government, or another highly regulated environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing or administering compliance programs, policies, or training, and interpreting and applying complex regulatory requirements.
• Strong computer skills and experience using, or willingness to learn, enterprise and University systems (e.g., Banner).

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA‑accredited law school; a J.D. is preferred but not required.
• Professional compliance or related certification (e.g., CCEP, CHC, CIA, or CCEP‑equivalent).
• Prior compliance or legal experience in higher education, and familiarity with the regulatory environment of a public university.
• Prior experience at a historically Black college or university (HBCU) or other minority‑serving institution, or in the public sector.
• Experience coordinating compliance across distributed subject‑matter offices (e.g., Title IX, ADA/504, Clery, Athletics, and research compliance).