Director of Compliance

Scion Executive Search has been retained to identify an incoming Director of Compliance on behalf of our client, Fello, a nonprofit dedicated to serving children and adults with disabilities throughout Anne Arundel County and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Fello’s mission is to support people with disabilities to live the lives they choose by creating opportunities, promoting respect and equity, and providing access to services.

Fello is looking for a strategic, solutions-oriented attorney to handle program discoveries, regulatory and licensing efforts, manage risk, and help shape the systems that allow Fello to deliver high-quality services with integrity and impact. The right person will be collaborative, accessible, and a great listener and liaison who can help people see the bigger picture with regard to compliance matters. This full-time, on-site opportunity is for immediate hire and is based in Severn, Maryland.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director of Compliance ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, licensing standards, and government contracts while guiding internal policies and quality improvement initiatives. This role will provide broad legal support across the organization in multiple areas, including contracts, real estate, landlord-tenant matters, guardianship, and the management of worker’s compensation claims. Partnering closely with the SVP of Administration & General Counsel, the Director will drive compliance excellence and lead risk management across Fello and its subsidiaries.

Acting as Fello’s primary liaison to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), the Director also serves as Safety Officer, facilitates the Health & Safety Committee, and manages Fleet Services. As a key member of the Leadership Council, this leader provides legal counsel across departments, fosters a culture of accountability and integrity, and helps drive systems that sustain Fello’s mission and long-term success.

ABOUT THE FELLO:

Fello began in 1961, founded by a group of parents who wanted equity, access, and opportunity for their children. At our core, Fello believes that people with disabilities deserve the same opportunities for self-determination and self-advocacy as any other community member. Our commitment to equity and access has led us to build services that people with disabilities tell us they need to live the life of their choosing.

Responding to that need, Fello has grown to support more than 4,000 people with disabilities and their families throughout Maryland, providing comprehensive programs and services that support the full spectrum of a person's life, from birth through retirement, and all the joys and opportunities in between. All our programs and services are designed to empower and support people with disabilities and provide greater self-determination in how they live, work, and connect with their communities.

Fello’s Core Values are evident in all aspects of our programs and services. These values are:

1. We embrace individuality - We see the whole person, celebrate our differences, and offer the people we serve, and our team, opportunities tailored to them.
2. We are heart-driven - Every interaction matters to us; we go the extra mile to care for the people we serve and our team.
3. We take strategic risks - Fueled by the urgency of our mission, we continually push for better and more innovative approaches.
4. We are action-oriented - We are creative, resourceful, and have a “get it done” approach to overcoming challenges.
5. We promote equity and respect - We value the different identities and experiences of the people and communities we work with, and we build respectful relationships to meet them where they are.

Fello partnered with employees from across the organization and within the community to develop value statements (above) that reflect who we are as an organization and how we approach our work.

What's unique about Fello is our focus on innovation, commitment to community-based services, and tremendous growth. Fello is an entrepreneurial organization, and strongly values innovation informed by community needs. It is the driving force behind the growth of and the development of new programs, services, and subsidiaries throughout our history.

About Fello’s subsidiaries:

Fello’s work providing quality, safe, affordable housing for people with disabilities led Fello to understand the greater community's need for affordable and accessible housing. Recognizing this need for affordable housing throughout Maryland, Fello founded Chesapeake Neighbors in 2007 as a nonprofit subsidiary dedicated to the development and management of affordable housing for all. Today, Chesapeake Neighbors owns and operates 50 units throughout Maryland.

Additionally, in 2021, Fello founded Chesapeake Community Development, a Community Development Corporation (CDC), to serve as their acquisition and development arm. Under this model, Chesapeake Community Development purchases properties and stewards projects through development, while Chesapeake Neighbors provides ongoing leasing, management, and maintenance services throughout the life of the property.

You can find more information about Fello here, as well as view their website at https://fello.org/. For more information about Fello Communities, see https://fellocommunities.org/.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee and support program discoveries, ensuring thorough, objective, and timely reports while maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with the SVP of Administration & General Counsel to monitor and facilitate compliance programs across Fello and its subsidiaries.
• Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies, licensing requirements, government contracts, and internal policies, providing timely discoveries and accurate reporting.
• Assist in the legal review and development of contracts and agreements, balancing legal risk with operational needs.
• Oversee and coordinate risk management and quality improvement initiatives, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending corrective actions.
• Provide legal counsel and guidance to organizational leaders, translating complex legal and compliance issues into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices to proactively mitigate risk and ensure compliance.
• Adapt to shifting priorities and diverse legal and compliance challenges, providing flexible solutions across the organization.
• Manage all aspects of Fleet Services operations, ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance, including driver certifications, policies, procedures, and administrative oversight.
• Participate as an active member of the Leadership Council, contributing to organizational strategy and executive decision-making.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive compliance, foster trust, and implement organizational change.
• Foster a consultative, empathetic approach to legal and compliance support, aligning actions with Fello’s mission, values, and person-centered culture.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor (JD) and license to practice law in the State of Maryland.
• 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney or in-house counsel.
• 3 years of progressive leadership experience managing large-scale compliance programs.
• Experience in nonprofit, housing, contract, or licensing compliance preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex regulatory, contractual, and licensing compliance in multi-entity or nonprofit settings.
• Skilled at navigating ambiguity and managing multiple priorities under pressure.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide candid, constructive feedback.
• Strong capacity for relationship building and influencing without direct authority.
• Commitment to Fello’s mission of advancing inclusion, equity, and opportunity for people with disabilities.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

In addition to a competitive base salary of $140,000, Fello also provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes access to robust health, vision, and dental insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); Flexible Spending Account (FSA); Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage; short- and long-term disability insurance; 403(b) with up to 6% employer match; PTO, as well as 12 paid annual holidays per year. You can review Fello’s full benefits here.

Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday during Fello core business hours, with frequent night and some weekend hours based on the nature of the position. This position is eligible for periodic telework.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS:

Fello has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit recruitment, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via: https://scionretainedsearch.com/job/14200.

Please address applications to:

Ex Hopson, Senior Executive Search Principal

Scion Executive Search

(888) 487-8850 Extension 142

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.