Executive Director of Conflicts of Interest: Campus Compliance Services - UTK

 Reporting to the Chief Campus Compliance Officer, the Executive Director serves as the university’s principal authority on identifying, reviewing, managing, and mitigating conflicts of interest while ensuring alignment with institutional values and regulatory requirements.

Institutional Leadership & Program Development

· Lead the design, development, and phased implementation of a dedicated COI/COC team within Campus Compliance Services

· Establish organizational structure, staffing plans, workflows, and operating procedures

· Build sustainable processes and internal controls for consistent and timely conflict review and management

· Integrate COI/COC operations into UTK’s broader compliance and risk management framework

· Coordinate with the Research Conflicts of Interest Compliance Officer to ensure alignment while maintaining a defined research compliance model

Policy Development & Governance

· Draft, interpret, and revise policies and procedures related to conflicts of interest and commitment

· Lead development and maintenance of the UTK COI/COC Program Charter

· Define institutional vs. research-specific authority and responsibilities

· Establish clear escalation, enforcement, and reporting pathways

· Serve as the primary staff lead for the Conflicts of Interest Committee and related governance bodies

Disclosure Review & Case Management

· Oversee review and adjudication of COI/COC disclosures for faculty and staff

· Lead evaluation of complex and high-risk cases

· Coordinate research-related disclosures with the Research COI Compliance Officer

· Develop and monitor conflict management and mitigation plans

· Escalate significant risks to senior leadership

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

· Ensure systems support both institutional and research-specific disclosures

Training, Outreach & Program Effectiveness

· Design and implement campus-wide COI/COC training and education programs

· Promote awareness of disclosure requirements and ethical standards

· Partner with academic and administrative leaders to embed compliance practices

· Develop metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools to monitor performance and risk

Required Qualifications & Expertise

· Demonstrated knowledge of conflicts of interest and commitment frameworks in higher education

· Understanding of federal research sponsor requirements and research integrity principles

· Experience in institutional compliance, governance, and risk management in complex organizations

· Expertise in disclosure review processes, conflict management strategies, and policy development

· Strong ability to interpret and apply complex federal regulations and institutional policies

 Required Qualifications

• Education: Master's Degree in Public Administration, Research, Audit, and/or Compliance fields

• Experience:  

  • 7-10 years of relevant experience of progressively responsible experience in: research compliance, institutional compliance, ethics programs, and/or conflicts of interest administration.

  • · Experience reviewing and creating conflict management plans for complex disclosures.

  • · Experience with federal sponsor compliance, audits, and institutional reporting.

  • · Experience with Huron (or similar disclosure system)

 

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment frameworks in higher education; federal research sponsor requirements; principles of research integrity and responsible conduct of research; and institutional compliance, governance, and risk management practices within complex academic environments. 

  • Knowledge of disclosure review processes, conflict management strategies, and policy development related to conflicts of interest is required.

  • Skill in interpreting and applying complex federal regulations, institutional policies, and sponsor requirements related to conflicts of interest and commitment.

 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

 

 

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: JD

• Experience:

  • Experience building/ developing a COI programs and/or research integrity programs.

  • Leadership experience at an R1 research institution.

  • Experience with Huron

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of governance structures and demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty committees, senior leadership, and research administration to address complex or high-risk conflicts of interest and commitment matters.

 

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN 

• Hybrid

 

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: 20

• Anticipated hiring range: Based on qualifications $145,000-$155,000

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

 

Application Instructions 

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before [5/1/2026]

 

• Resume

• Cover Letter

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. 
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.  
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. 
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.  
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!