Conflict of Interest Compliance Officer - Office of Budget & Finance - UTK

The Associate Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a full-time Conflict of Interest (COI) Compliance Officer. This position will serve as the Conflict of Interest (COI) Compliance Officer for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) campus, Space Institute (UTSI), and Institute of Agriculture (UTIA). Conflict of interest compliance fulfills obligations under laws, regulations, and policies. The position will be responsible for conflict of interest compliance with institutional, state, and federal conflict of interest regulations by facilitating processes for identifying, reviewing, managing, and monitoring potential conflicts. The COI Compliance Officer will work with the COI Compliance Manager to ensure consistent and efficient operations of the conflicts of interest process. The position will collaborate with the research compliance team to ensure compliance with potential conflicts and industry interactions in research.

• Implement strategies for the campus-wide release of annual outside interest disclosure deadline.
• Review the annual COI disclosures with an approximate annual volume of 6,000.
• Collaborate with the Research Compliance Officer on research related disclosures.
• Assist in identifying gaps related to quality control assurances with the COI disclosure system for reporting to the COI Compliance Manager.
• Work with the COI Compliance Manager to conduct organizational conflict compliance risk assessments.
• Review and approval outside interest disclosures.
• Work with associates and supervisors to resolve real and potential conflicts of interests.
• Draft non-complex management plans and collaborate with COI Manager on complex plans.
• Manage annual compliance assurance of actions steps within management plans.
• Escalate issues as needed to the COI Manager.
• Monitor disclosure completion and follow up to ensure employee compliance.
• Serve as a member of the Financial Conflicts of Interest Committee and be able to occasionally chair when the COI Manager is not available, monitor regulatory updates and industry leading practices, and provide compliance metrics pertaining to the committee.
• Develop and present campus wide and tailored department specific COI trainings in various formats to assist employees in ensuring compliance with policies and guidance and completing disclosures.
• Perform other related responsibilities as required.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting or related business area.

• Experience: 3 to 5 years work experience in the accounting or business administration field. Must have professional experience providing audit or compliance services within higher education. Must have experience performing risk assessments.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Knowledge of faculty appointment structure and allowable external activities.
• Microsoft Office skills, including Excel and Word.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to assist in creating and delivering quality training and the ability to explain complex or technical rules, policies or corrective actions to a diverse audience.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service, over the phone and in person answering questions regarding status of requests, policies and procedures. Strong problem solving, management, planning, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to be an independent thinker with professional skepticism.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of faculty, staff, administrators, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to conceptualize, plan and organize multiple assignments effectively to meet changing priorities and deadlines. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience in addressing conflicts of interest for universities, academic medical centers, or research administration.
• Knowledge of University Tennessee policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of Oracle and Huron COI Module.

Work Location

• Office Site: Knoxville, TN
• Position: Hybrid

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR11
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit an application with the following attachments:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References
• Any additional pertinent materials

About The College/Department/Division The Conflict of Interest’s mission is to provide support and assist all campuses and institutes and provide university employees guidance to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations; maintain adequate internal controls to safeguard the university’s assets; provide consistent management of resources transactions across the system; and understand the university’s expectations for conducting university business and communicate these expectations to others as needed. The Conflict of Interest serves as a liaison between university departments, faculty, and research compliance offices to promote an ethical culture of transparency and accountability.

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 that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

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!