Director of Compliance & Regulatory Affairs (State of MA)

Location: Cummington, MA 01026

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and highly accountable Director of Compliance & Regulatory Affairs to lead the redevelopment of our compliance and quality infrastructure within a residential substance use disorder treatment environment. This is not a traditional compliance role focused solely on audits and reporting. We are looking for a hands-on leader who can assess existing gaps, build sustainable systems, drive corrective action initiatives, and establish a culture of compliance throughout the organization.

The ideal candidate will bring deep behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment experience, extensive knowledge of Massachusetts regulatory requirements, and a strong understanding of accreditation standards, quality improvement, and operational excellence. This individual will serve as the organization's subject matter expert on compliance while partnering closely with clinical and operational leaders to strengthen processes, improve outcomes, and ensure long-term regulatory success.

Essential Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Survey Readiness

• Serve as the organization's primary compliance and regulatory expert.
• Lead all state licensing, regulatory, and accreditation readiness activities.
• Maintain extensive knowledge of Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), Joint Commission, CARF, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate and oversee all regulatory inspections, surveys, audits, and accreditation reviews.
• Act as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies and accreditation bodies.
• Develop and maintain ongoing survey readiness programs to ensure continuous compliance.

Compliance Program Development

• Rebuild and strengthen the organization's compliance infrastructure from the ground up.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks that support regulatory adherence and operational excellence.
• Establish monitoring systems to identify compliance risks and prevent deficiencies before they occur.
• Create sustainable processes that support long-term regulatory success.
• Lead compliance committee activities and provide regular reporting to executive leadership.

Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement

• Conduct routine compliance audits, chart reviews, mock surveys, and operational assessments.
• Identify deficiencies, root causes, and areas of regulatory risk.
• Develop and oversee corrective action plans while ensuring completion and sustainability.
• Monitor ongoing compliance performance through data collection, audits, and quality indicators.
• Partner with leadership teams to implement process improvements and maintain regulatory standards.

Clinical & Operational Partnership

• Collaborate with clinical, nursing, medical, and operational leaders to improve documentation, medication management, patient safety, and quality of care.
• Provide guidance on regulatory requirements and operational best practices.
• Support leaders in addressing compliance concerns while maintaining accountability.
• Assist departments in implementing corrective actions and process improvements.

Education & Training

• Develop and deliver compliance training programs for leadership, clinical staff, and support personnel.
• Educate employees on regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, policies, and best practices.
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Ensure staff remain informed of regulatory updates and changing requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Behavioral Health, Public Health, Quality Management, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of compliance, quality, accreditation, or regulatory leadership experience within behavioral health or substance use disorder treatment settings.
• Extensive experience with Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) regulations and requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of Joint Commission and/or CARF accreditation standards.
• Experience leading regulatory surveys, audits, corrective action plans, and compliance improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build compliance programs, policies, and quality systems from the ground up.
• Strong understanding of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment operations.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Master's degree in a healthcare-related field.
• Professional certifications related to healthcare compliance, quality, accreditation, or risk management.
• Experience working in residential treatment, detoxification, or substance use disorder treatment programs.
• Experience supporting organizations through regulatory recovery, turnaround efforts, or significant compliance improvement initiatives.

Leadership Competencies

• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence leaders at all levels.
• Assertive and confident in holding teams accountable while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Solutions-oriented with a practical approach to problem-solving.
• Strong relationship-building skills with regulators, accreditation agencies, and internal stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, evolving environments.
• Ability to balance regulatory requirements with operational realities.

Work Location

Hybrid remote in Cummington, MA 01026