James McNamara

James McNamara is the PCAOB’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO serves as the chief operating officer of the PCAOB and oversees the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, including the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Finance, the Budget Office, Data, Security and Technology, Strategic Planning Oversight, and the Facilities and Operations department.

Before joining the PCAOB in October 2022, Mr. McNamara spent nearly four years as the Chief Human Capital Officer and the Director of the Office of Human Resources at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In that capacity, he led the strategic management of the SEC’s human capital programs and policies in areas including recruitment, staffing, retention, position management and classification, compensation and benefits, leadership and employee development, performance management, total rewards, labor relations, and work/life programs. He joined the SEC’s Office of Human Resources in 2014 and also served as the SEC’s Acting Chief Human Capital Officer and Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer.

Previously, Mr. McNamara was the Managing Executive for the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets. His other roles included Assistant Director for Planning and Budget, Budget Officer, and Branch Chief for Budget Formulation and Performance Management, all in the SEC’s Office of Financial Management. He began his SEC service as a manager in the Division of Trading and Markets.

Mr. McNamara started his federal career at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he held positions in human resources management and budget formulation in the Department's Civil Division.

Mr. McNamara received his bachelor’s degree from Brown University.