Compliance Advisor in Institutional Compliance

UTHealth Houston is looking to add to our Institutional Compliance team. The Compliance Advisor provides professional consultation and guidance to university departments and stakeholders on institutional compliance obligations, potential noncompliance, and risk mitigation. Within the Office of Institutional Compliance, the position independently evaluates assigned compliance matters, conducts reviews and investigations, interprets applicable requirements, and advises stakeholders and leadership on findings, recommended corrective actions, and preventive measures. The role also develops practical policy and process recommendations, leads assigned compliance initiatives, and supports the effectiveness of the university's Institutional Compliance Program in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, UT System requirements, and university policies.

This role will work a hybrid schedule, so you must be willing to come into the office as needed. We strongly prefer candidates who have completed a Juris Doctor (J.D.), and all applicants should already have related experience in compliance, a legal area, audit, risk management, or investigations.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us, you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Independently evaluates and manages assigned reports of potential noncompliance. Plans and conducts compliance reviews and investigations; gathers and analyzes information; conducts interviews; reviews evidence; and assesses applicable policy and regulatory requirements. Provides objective findings and advises appropriate leadership and stakeholders on recommended corrective actions, risk mitigation, follow-up, and measures to prevent recurrence, within established decision-making authority.
• Develops, reviews, and recommends revisions to compliance policies, procedures, standards, workflows, guidance, job aids, and related resources. Advises departments on translating compliance requirements into workable operational practices and supports implementation of approved improvements.
• Leads assigned compliance projects, reviews, assessments, and initiatives. Establishes plans and deliverables, coordinates with stakeholders, evaluates implementation issues, and provides leadership with recommendations, progress updates, and outcomes to inform compliance decisions.
• Advises university employees, departments, and other stakeholders on institutional compliance requirements, university policies, and appropriate responses to compliance concerns. Interprets applicable requirements, evaluates available options, and recommends practical courses of action; refers significant or complex matters to appropriate leadership.
• Monitors and interprets developments in federal and state laws, regulations, UT System requirements, university policies, and compliance standards. Advises relevant stakeholders on potential institutional impacts and recommends appropriate changes to policies, procedures, controls, communications, and compliance activities.
• Evaluates existing and emerging compliance risks through research, risk assessments, and monitoring activities. Consults with stakeholders on process and control gaps and recommends risk-based mitigation strategies, corrective actions, and monitoring measures.
• Assesses compliance education and awareness needs; develops and delivers training, communications, and guidance that help university audiences understand compliance obligations and apply requirements to their work.
• Analyzes compliance trends, metrics, case information, and other data to identify recurring issues and emerging risks. Advises on opportunities to strengthen controls, monitoring activities, and the effectiveness of compliance initiatives.
• Serves as a compliance consultation resource to university leadership and departments. Partners with Legal Affairs, Internal Audit, Human Resources, Information Security, Research Compliance, clinical and academic operations, and other stakeholders to evaluate cross-functional compliance concerns and recommend coordinated responses.
• Provides subject-matter guidance and professional judgment to other compliance staff on assigned matters. Recommends improvements to compliance processes, tools, documentation, and operational efficiency.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Ability to interpret complex compliance requirements, evaluate facts and risks, exercise independent professional judgment, and provide practical, well-supported advisory recommendations.
• Knowledge of compliance principles, regulatory requirements, risk assessment methodologies, investigations, and internal controls, including their application in a complex regulated environment.
• Strong consultation, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interview stakeholders, present findings, explain requirements, and communicate recommendations to varied audiences.
• Sound judgment, discretion, objectivity, and professionalism in sensitive or high-risk matters, with the ability to recognize matters requiring escalation or specialized guidance.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and deadlines independently.
• Ability to build trust, influence through sound analysis and recommendations, and collaborate across organizational and functional boundaries without direct authority.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant business, data-management, and case-management systems and applications.
• Work may involve handling biohazardous, chemical, and radiological materials, as well as operating associated equipment. Required safety training and appropriate engineering and administrative controls, including the use of personal protective equipment, must be followed.
• Certified Healthcare Compliance (CHC) by Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA)

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree required; Juris Doctor (JD) is strongly preferred

Minimum Experience:

You must have at least four (4) years of related professional experience in compliance, legal, audit, risk management, investigations, regulatory affairs, or a related field. Experience in a university, academic health center, healthcare organization, governmental entity, or similarly complex regulated environment preferred. May substitute required experience with equivalent years of education beyond the minimum education requirement.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.