Chief Investigations Officer

About the Role

Penn State is seeking an experienced investigations leader to serve as the inaugural Chief Investigations Officer (CIO), responsible for building and leading the new Office of Investigations. This centralized, University-wide unit will consist of approximately 8 full-time staff (plus part-time/flex investigative capacity) and will handle the intake, triage, and resolution of policy violation allegations and discrimination and harassment complaints, including cases arising under Title VI, VII, and IX, involving employee respondents. Reporting to the General Counsel, the CIO will play a crucial role in resolving matters thoroughly, fairly, consistently, and efficiently, while serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Program Design, Standardization & Process Oversight:
  • Establish and refine the case-intake-to-resolution process, including protocols for matters where no policy violation is found.
  • Develop a decision-tree rubric to guide jurisdictional and pathway determinations across all incoming matters.
  • Standardize written work-product and communication templates across all case types.
  • Oversee the hotline and case management system, including data reporting and trend analysis in partnership with subject-matter experts.
• Investigative Leadership:
  • Lead, manage, and mentor a team of investigators, providing training, feedback, and day-to-day guidance.
  • Consult with subject-matter experts before launching investigations and finalizing reports.
  • Maintain neutrality, independence, and objectivity in all matters, including high-profile or sensitive cases.
  • Collaborate with key University constituents throughout the lifecycle of a case.
  • Occasionally serve as a lead investigator on complex, sensitive, or high-profile matters.
• Reporting, Metrics & Administration:
  • Organize, manage, and report on the work of the Office of Investigations to University leadership.
  • Support the University's goal of reducing the median time to resolve employee compliance and discrimination/harassment allegations.
  • Oversee the Office of Investigations' budget, expenses, and staffing.

Qualifications

• Essential Education:
  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Juris Doctor or advanced degree preferred.
• Essential Experience:
  • At least 10 years of experience planning and conducting complex internal investigations.
  • At least 3 years of experience managing investigative staff or a comparable team.
  • Demonstrated experience applying laws, regulations, and institutional policies to employment, Title IX, and civil rights matters, with higher education experience preferred.
• Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize complex information.
  • Demonstrated ability to design and operate a jurisdictional triage framework.
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies with discretion, diplomacy, and tact.
  • Superior judgment, discretion, and confidentiality in handling sensitive matters.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to build and supervise a high-performing investigative team.
  • Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
  • Proficiency with case management systems and Microsoft Office tools.

Background Checks/Clearances

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.