Vice President and Chief Audit & Compliance Officer - Princeton University

Princeton University seeks an experienced leader to serve as its next Vice President and Chief Audit & Compliance Officer (VP & CACO). The VP & CACO will bring subject-matter expertise, sound judgment, excellent relationship and management skills, and a strategic understanding of risk-based audit and compliance approaches to their leadership of this important area. Reporting administratively to the University’s executive vice president and functionally to the chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee of the Board of Trustees, the VP & CACO advises leaders and managers across Princeton on its financial integrity, operational efficiency and effectiveness, and regulatory positioning. The VP & CACO and their staff contribute to the University’s excellence.

The Vice President and Chief Audit & Compliance Officer leads, manages, and organizes all aspects of Princeton’s internal audit function and institutional compliance program in today’s challenging audit and compliance environment. The VP & CACO plays a vital role in Princeton’s commitment to achieve consistent excellence in the execution of its mission and the management of its business; to minimize financial, regulatory and other risks; and to ensure that the University maintains the highest levels of integrity in its operations in support of its research and teaching mission.

In Princeton’s collaborative and collegial environment, where influence and impact rest on relationships of trust, a demonstrated orientation towards the common good, a commitment to partnership, and domain expertise, the VP & CACO takes a constructive, consultative approach to solving problems and strengthening management at the University while maintaining independence and objectivity.

By remaining current in national and international professional communities and associations and by ensuring that the Office of Audit and Compliance staff also develop professionally, the VP & CACO ensures that they, their team, and the University more broadly are aware of emerging challenges to established policies and practices related to internal controls and compliance and are positioned to be both innovative and efficient in the evaluation and management of those challenges.

• Ten years of progressively responsible audit management or related experience in an academic research setting or comparably complex environment.
• Broad understanding of accounting, internal controls, risk assessment, and compliance regimens relevant to a private research university or similarly complex industry.
• A consultative, supportive, yet independent and objective practice of engaging business units and programs across a mission-oriented enterprise with a distributed, matrixed management structure.
• Experience designing and implementing risk-based audit and compliance plans that identify and assess policies, processes and procedures across the entire organization; strategic thinking and exemplary analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to design solutions to problems in a way that fosters confidence in internal audit and compliance activities and encourages use of the department as an internal advisory service.
• Experience as a fair, respectful departmental leader and a skilled administrator; proven ability to manage human and financial resources to maximize productivity and assure the highest-quality audit and compliance work.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop the talents and expertise of staff so that they are able to assume expanded responsibilities; proven ability to recruit and retain well-qualified, high-performing audit and compliance professionals.
• Professional competence, self-assurance, and the interpersonal style to earn the confidence of and to work effectively with highly engaged Trustees who are industry leaders and have the highest expectations for the Vice President and Chief Audit and Compliance Officer.
• Outstanding communication skills, oral and written; the ability to express technically complex ideas in accessible terms; excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards; personal and professional integrity above reproach.
• Proven capacity to be adaptable, patient, and flexible, as well as appropriately tenacious with the conviction to stand by difficult decisions and unpopular judgments.
• Working knowledge of the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (revisions effective January 2025), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, applicable AICPA Industry Guides, Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, and DOJ guidance for compliance programs.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
• Advanced degree. (Preferred)
• Professional involvement of engagement with a research-intensive institution. (Preferred)

Candidacy

Princeton University has retained Opus Partners to support the recruitment of this position. Craig Smith, Senior Partner; Katie Dean, Partner; and Abigail Maynard, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent by email to Abigail (abigail.maynard@opuspartners.net). The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality. Required application materials include a resume and letter of interest. The cover letter should reflect how qualifications and experience match those described in this leadership profile, including examples of demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and how they may advance the mission and values of Princeton University.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS