Senior director, compliance & continuous improvement

About the role

This is a remote position requiring travel to programs located in New England & one in New York.

The Senior Director, Compliance & Continuous Improvement provides independent oversight, governance, and strategic direction to ensure organizational adherence to regulatory, contractual, accreditation, and internal standards across all service lines. This role does not own service delivery, but partners with service line leadership to monitor, assess, and strengthen compliance performance, ensuring accountability at the program level.

This role is accountable for providing organization-wide compliance oversight through independent monitoring and risk identification, while enabling and reinforcing service line accountability for compliant operations. Travel is required for this position; a valid driver’s license is required.

Operating Model & Service Line Partnership

Service lines are accountable for compliant program operations and service delivery. Compliance provides independent oversight, including monitoring, auditing, and guidance. The Senior Director partners with service line leaders to:

• Interpret regulations and requirements
• DPH, PREA, DDS license application and renewals
• Identify risks and performance gaps
• Develop and monitor corrective action plans
• Escalates material risks or non-compliance to executive leadership as needed

What you'll do

Key Responsibilities

Compliance Oversight & Regulatory Governance

• Establish and oversee organization-wide compliance framework across all service lines
• Monitor adherence to regulatory, licensing, accreditation, and contractual requirements
• Serve as primary liaison with regulators, licensing bodies, and auditors
• Interpret regulatory requirements and provide guidance to leadership
• Provide oversight of data governance and technology risk management to ensure regulatory compliance and organizational alignment

Audit, Risk & Investigations

• Direct internal audits, external reviews, and monitoring activities
• Identify organizational risks and trends through data, audits, and reporting
• Oversee investigations and root cause analyses in partnership with service line leadership
• Ensure development, implementation, and tracking of corrective action plans
• Maintain centralized audit and compliance documentation

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze compliance and performance data to identify trends and risks
• Maintain organization-wide reporting systems to support transparency and decision-making
• Report compliance performance to executive leadership and Board
• Lead compliance and quality review forums

Policy Management

• Develop and maintain organization-wide policies and compliance standards
• Ensure timely updates based on regulatory and contractual changes
• Promote consistency in standards across service lines

Investigations & Root Cause Analysis

• Investigate compliance issues and conduct root cause analyses.
• Collaborate with operational leaders to develop and implement corrective action plans.

Training & Advisory Support

• Provide guidance to service line leadership on compliance expectations
• Design and oversee compliance-related training and communications
• Support service lines in preparation for audits, licensing, and monitoring reviews

Governance & External Representation

• Serve as compliance liaison to Board and committees
• Act as Human Rights Officer (or equivalent oversight role)
• Represent organization externally on compliance and regulatory matters

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Nursing, Social Work, Quality Assurance, Law, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in quality, regulatory compliance, or risk management within human services, healthcare, corrections, or a regulated nonprofit environment.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience with audits, investigations, corrective action planning, and regulatory interactions.
• Multi-jurisdictional regulatory experience preferred.

Certifications (Preferred)

• Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP)
• Certified Healthcare Compliance (CHC), CRCM, or similar credentials

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk-assessment skills
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication
• Proven leadership and people-management capabilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, regulated environment
• High ethical standards, sound judgment, and attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and compliance/document management systems

Travel

Regular travel required (e.g., programs, audits, regulatory meetings)

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties and responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs.