Chief Compliance and Audit Officer

Position Summary

The Chief Compliance and Audit Officer (CCAO) serves as MassDOT's senior executive, reporting to the Undersecretary of Transportation Policy, responsible for overseeing compliance with federal and state statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements; leading enterprise risk management activities across MassDOT; conducting timely independent audits, reviews, and investigations; and building a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement across MassDOT, its grantees, and contractors. 

The CCAO leads the agency's enterprise compliance, audit, risk management, governance, quality management, and internal control functions and assists MassDOT operating divisions and departments in complying with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The CCAO operates with a high degree of professional independence and judgement in establishing audit, compliance, risk, and assurance priorities, methodologies, standards, and work plans, subject to the strategic direction and governance oversight of the Undersecretary, Secretary and CEO, and Board, as applicable.

The CCAO establishes standards, policies, and procedures across MassDOT that enable the agency to advance its mission to provide safe, reliable, and efficient transportation in full compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, grant requirements, contractual obligations, policies, procedures, and ethical standards. 

The CCAO serves as a strategic advisor to the Secretary and CEO on matters related to compliance, audit, governance, enterprise risk management, continuous improvement, and organizational integrity. The CCAO collaborates with operating divisions and departments to prioritize and conduct enterprise-wide risk assessments, establish risk governance structures, evaluate internal controls, develop documentation and training, and implement corrective action plans. Through regular communication and reporting, the CCAO provides assurance to executive leadership and the MassDOT Board of Directors that MassDOT maintains effective internal controls, ethical business practices, and compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Enterprise Risk Management and Governance

• Establish and maintain MassDOT's enterprise risk management framework and governance structure to identify, assess, and manage risks and help the agency achieve its strategy and operational goals. 
• Lead agency-wide risk identification, assessment, mitigation, monitoring, and reporting activities. 
• Develop and maintain enterprise risk registers, corrective action plans, and risk reporting mechanisms. 
• Facilitate executive discussions regarding organizational risk tolerance, emerging risks, and mitigation strategies. 
• Coordinate with operating divisions and departments to integrate risk management into business planning and operational decision-making. 
• Monitor emerging regulatory, operational, financial, technology, and reputational risks and recommend appropriate responses. 

Audits and Investigations

• Oversee internal, external, and field audits to continuously monitor and evaluate high-risk areas. 
• Lead or oversee compliance-related reviews, assessments, investigations, and inquiries. 
• Coordinate investigative activities with the Office of Inspector General, Office of the Attorney General, State Auditor, Human Resources, Legal, and other oversight entities as appropriate. 
• Develop and maintain compliance incident reporting, escalation, and response protocols. 
• Advise executive leadership regarding compliance issues, investigations, findings, that require attention and recommended corrective actions and timeline. 
• Develop strategies and response plans in collaboration with MassDOT operating agencies and department for compliance-related crises and regulatory matters. 
• Ensure audit and investigation staff maintains professional standards consistent with applicable auditing standards consistent with applicable auditing standards and industry best practices. 
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and maintain a highly qualified audit and compliance workforce possessing appropriate technical expertise, professional certifications, and leadership capabilities. 
• Oversee quality assurance and continuous improvement activities within the audit and compliance functions. 
• Ensure appropriate reporting and resolution of compliance violations and ethical concerns. 

Oversight and Implementation

• Provide strategic guidance to executive leadership regarding compliance risks, governance practices, and organizational controls. 
• Establish performance measures and monitoring mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of MassDOT's compliance and ethics program. 
• Collaborate with the Office of Performance Management and Innovation on using agency performance data to identify trends and areas for improvement across operational functions and capital investment programs. 
• Track implementation corrective action plans and, if needed, coordinate corrective action plan tasks across departments and divisions to ensure full engagement needed to implement the plan.
• As needed, assist departments and divisions with developing or reviewing documentation or training needed to achieve compliance or reduce risk. 
• Promote a culture of accountability, integrity, transparency, ethical conduct, and continuous improvement throughout MassDOT. 
• As appropriate, liaise with external oversight, regulatory, and investigative agencies. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Law, Public Policy, or a related field. 

• Advanced degree (J.D., M.P.A., M.B.A., or related discipline preferred). 

• Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience in compliance, audit, risk management, governance, investigations, internal controls, performance improvement, or related fields. 

• At least five (5) years of executive or senior management experience leading enterprise-wide compliance, audit, risk management, investigations, internal controls, performance improvement, or governance functions. 

• Experience designing and implementing enterprise risk management programs and governance frameworks. 

• Significant experience presenting to executive leadership teams, governing boards, audit committees, and external oversight bodies. 

• Experience in government, transportation, infrastructure, public sector organizations, or other highly regulated industries. 

• Project management experience. 

• Demonstrated ability to influence organizational culture and lead large-scale change initiatives. 

• Professional certifications such as CIA, CPA, CISA, CFE, CCEP, or equivalent certifications are preferred. 

• Strong knowledge of internal controls, auditing standards, risk management principles, compliance program design, investigations, performance improvement, and governance practices.  

A finalist for this position must be able to pass a comprehensive background check including a criminal record check, Department of Revenue (DOR) check, and employment references.

About MassDOT

The 4,000+ employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) take great pride in connecting the Commonwealth’s residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth. Information about MassDOT’s inclusive culture and career opportunities can be found at mass.gov/massdot-careers.

MassDOT’s divisions include Highway, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit. Headquarters (Planning & Enterprise Services) provides business and administrative support and policy leadership for each of the four (4) divisions.  

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Minimum Entrance Requirements

This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Current MassDOT employees should use their internal MassCareers account to apply.

All job applications must be submitted online through MassCareers to be considered.

Please provide a complete, accurate and current resume / application for MassDOT to review in order to determine if your submitted materials meet the minimum entrance requirements for the position.   

Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least four (4) years must have been in a managerial capacity.

• For questions regarding the job posting, please email the MassDOT Talent Acquisition Team at talentacquisition@dot.state.ma.us.

• For general questions regarding MassDOT, call the Human Resources Service Center at 857‐368‐4722.

• For a disability‐related reasonable accommodation or alternative application method, call the ADA Coordinator, Lucy Bayard, at 857‐274‐1935.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.