Chief Ethics Officer

Who We Are

Join us and make a difference in global investor protection. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), a nonprofit organization established by Congress, oversees the audits of public companies and SEC‑registered brokers and dealers to protect investors and to further the public interest in the preparation of independent, accurate, and informative audit reports.

Our investor protection mission is focused on modernizing audit standards, enhancing audit inspections, and strengthening enforcement of PCAOB rules and standards and other related laws and rules. People are at the heart of our mission at the PCAOB. As we carry out that mission, we strive to uphold the highest standards in audit quality with investors’ families, savings, and futures in mind. We are hiring mission‑driven professionals interested in a career with purpose, competitive benefit offerings, and work‑life flexibility. If you are interested in working with a group of talented professionals to protect investors and drive audit quality and innovation while adhering to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct, join us.

What We Offer

At the PCAOB, we offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits package with a focus on the health and financial well‑being of our valued team members.

• Compensation – We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation programs and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role in Washington, DC: $248,100/year – $400,000/year. Team members may also be eligible for performance‑based discretionary awards.
• Work Location – Staff will be assigned to the Washington, DC (Headquarters) office or another office as approved by the PCAOB.
• Paid time off – Up to 6 weeks annually, plus 12 federal holidays, 2 floating holidays, and a year‑end break December 28–31, 2026.
• 401(k) match – Immediate vesting and contributions matched dollar for dollar, up to 7percent of eligible compensation. Roth in‑plan conversion available.
• Health benefits – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Paid family leave – Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave and up to 16 weeks paid caregiver leave.
• Life insurance – Basic life, AD&D insurance provided; supplemental insurance also available.
• Education benefits – Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, student loan repayment assistance, college tuition assistance, and college coach program support.
• Well‑being & family resources – Mental health resources, paid volunteer time, emergency child/adult dependent back‑up care services, family‑forming assistance, discounted gym memberships, employee assistance program, health advocate program, and more.
• Commuter benefits – Tax‑free employer subsidy and pretax employee deductions.

Position Summary

The Chief Ethics Officer position is located in our Washington, DC headquarters and will report to the Board. This position provides strategic leadership over, and independent oversight of, the PCAOB’s ethics program, including the implementation and interpretation of the PCAOB Ethics Code.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the PCAOB’s enterprise‑wide ethics program.
• Advise the Board and senior leadership on emerging ethics issues and establish policies, procedures, controls, systems, and reporting tools to identify, monitor, and mitigate ethics risks across the organization.
• Collaborate with functional areas to ensure ethics matters are directed to the proper channels for review, investigation, and resolution.
• Respond to alleged ethics violations and oversee consistent processes for handling, tracking, and resolving ethics‑related concerns.
• Provide independent oversight of the organization’s ethics program to ensure that ethics matters are identified, assessed, and resolved in a manner that supports integrity, accountability, and trust.
• Identify and address ethics‑related vulnerabilities and risks, provide guidance to prevent future issues, and promote a culture of ethical behavior.
• Institute and maintain an effective ethics communication program, including promoting use of the Ethics Hotline and understanding of new and existing ethical issues and related policies.
• Keep current on changes in relevant laws, regulations, and best practices relating to ethics, and recommend responsive adaptations to the ethics program as needed.
• Understand and facilitate resolution of ethics matters related to confidentiality of information, financial and other conflicts of interest, requirements relating to seeking other employment, and post‑employment restrictions.
• Set strategic direction for enterprise ethics education and awareness, partnering with stakeholders to ensure staff and leaders understand their responsibilities.
• Monitor the performance of the Ethics Program, including annual filing requirements and related activities, and take appropriate steps to improve its effectiveness.
• Provide annual ethics reports to the Chief of Staff, the Chairman, and the Board.
• Perform supervisory duties: evaluate employee performance, recommend appointments and promotions, hear and resolve complaints, identify development and training needs.
• Recruit, maintain, and develop staff consistent with business needs.

Qualifications

Education/Technical Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree; MBA or master’s degree a plus; JD preferred.
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in ethics or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated experience with implementing a successful ethics program, preferably in a highly regulated environment and/or within a regulated confidentiality framework.
• Familiarity with the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act and the PCAOB ethics code.
• Strong knowledge of best practices for an effective ethics function and ability to identify emerging ethics issues and themes.
• Demonstrated executive judgment and independence in leading complex, sensitive, and often unstructured ethics matters involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Proven ability to build consensus, harmonize diverse perspectives, and advise senior leaders on matters requiring discretion, impartiality, and institutional credibility.
• Exceptional ability to frame issues clearly, assess facts objectively, and communicate recommendations grounded in sound reasoning, evidence, and ethical principles.
• Ability to represent the organization with credibility and professionalism before senior internal stakeholders, Board members, and external constituencies.
• Superior executive communication skills to provide clear, concise, and trusted guidance on sensitive ethics matters.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

Leadership/Management Skills and Abilities

• Drive a positive “tone at the top” and hold others accountable.
• Ensure own and others’ behavior aligns with the highest ethical standards and values of the organization.
• Motivate and inspire employees at all levels of the organization.
• Be a self‑starter, work independently or as part of a small team.
• Develop, coach, and mentor staff, providing real‑time feedback and clear direction.
• Promote collaboration by unifying teams, setting common goals, and incentivizing collaborative behavior.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Build credibility, organize effectively, solve problems quickly, and communicate clearly.
• Navigate and resolve various types of conflict in a timely and productive manner.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All PCAOB employees are entitled to equal opportunity and a professional work environment, free of discrimination and harassment. A workplace free of discrimination and harassment is fundamental to professional success and to the PCAOB’s mission. The PCAOB will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. The PCAOB will be a trusted leader that promotes high quality auditing through forward‑looking, responsive, and innovative oversight. At all times, we will act with integrity, pursue excellence, operate with effectiveness, embrace collaboration, and demand accountability.