Chief Ethics Officer

Join us and make a difference in global investor protection.

Who We Are

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. Some of the features of our comprehensive Total Rewards package include:

• Compensation – We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation programs and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range, based on data-driven market analysis, for each job posting. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role in Washington, DC (Headquarters) is $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.

• Generous paid time off – Up to 6 weeks annually, in addition to 12 federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays and a year-end break December 28 – 31, 2026.

• Highly competitive 401(k) match and savings options – Immediate vesting and contributions matched dollar for dollar, up to 7 percent of eligible compensation. Roth in-plan conversion available. 

• Comprehensive and competitive health benefit offerings – Medical, dental, and vision plans

• Supportive paid family leave benefits – Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave and up to 16 weeks paid caregiver leave

• Life insurance benefits – Basic life and AD&D insurance provided; supplemental insurance also available

• Education benefits – PCAOB staff qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. We also offer student loan repayment assistance, staff college tuition assistance, and college coach program support.

• Well-being and family resources – Mental health and well-being resources, paid volunteer time, emergency child/adult dependent back-up care services, family-forming assistance, discounted gym memberships, employee assistance program (EAP), 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

• Leads and manages the PCAOB’s enterprise-wide ethics program.

• Advises the Board and senior leadership on emerging ethics issues and establishes policies, procedures, controls, systems, and reporting tools to identify, monitor, and mitigate ethics risks across the organization.

• Collaborates with appropriate functional areas to ensure ethics matters are directed to the proper channels for review, investigation, and resolution.

• Responds to alleged ethics violations and oversees consistent processes for handling, tracking, and resolving ethics-related concerns.

• Provides independent oversight of the organization’s ethics program to ensure ethics matters are identified, assessed, and resolved in a manner that supports integrity, accountability, and trust across the PCAOB.

• Identifies and addresses ethics-related vulnerabilities and risks, provides guidance to prevent future issues, and promotes a culture of ethical behavior across the organization.

• Institutes and maintains an effective ethics communication program for the organization, including promoting (a) use of the Ethics Hotline; and (b) an understanding of new and existing ethical issues and related policies and procedures.

• Keeps current on changes in relevant laws, regulations, and best practices relating to ethics, and recommends responsive adaptations to the ethics program as needed.

• Understands and facilitates 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.

• Sets the strategic direction for enterprise ethics education and awareness, partnering with other stakeholders to ensure staff and leaders understand their responsibilities and are equipped to uphold the PCAOB’s ethical standards.

• Monitors the performance of the Ethics Program, including the annual filing requirements and related activities on a continuing basis, taking appropriate steps to improve its effectiveness.

• Provides annual ethics reports to the Chief of Staff, the Chairman, and the Board.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties as necessary, including evaluating employee performance; making recommendations for appointment and promotion; hearing and resolving complaints; identifying development and training needs of employees; other related supervisory tasks.

• Recruits, maintains, and develops staff consistent with business needs.      

Qualifications

Education/Technical Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree; MBA/master’s degree a plus; Juris Doctorate (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 the constraints of a regulated confidentiality framework.

• Familiarity with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and with the PCAOB ethics code

• Strong knowledge of best practices for an effective ethics function and the 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, including the ability 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

• Ability to drive a positive “tone at the top” of the organization and hold others accountable for doing the same.

• Ensures that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with the highest ethical standards and aligns with the values of the organization, including integrity and ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information.

• Must be able to motivate and inspire employees at all levels of the organization to enhance team commitment and individual performance.

• Ability to be a self-starter, work independently or as part of a small team.

• Proven ability to develop, coach, and mentor staff (as necessary), providing real-time feedback and clear direction.

• Ability to promote collaboration by unifying teams, setting common goals, and incentivizing collaborative behavior.

• Demonstrated success in establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.

• Strong ability to build credibility, organize effectively, solve problems quickly and communicate clearly.

• Possesses the balance and emotional intelligence required to meet the diverse needs of PCAOB Divisions and Offices.

• Proven ability to 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.