Director, Compliance

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD seeks a Compliance Director to lead the organization’s compliance program and risk management efforts. This role oversees auditors, rights protections, interpretation services, and policy compliance while collaborating with senior leadership to embed governance across all programs.

Ideal candidates bring extensive healthcare compliance experience, staff leadership, and a proven ability to navigate state and federal regulations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling/clinical mental health or related field required.
• JD preferred to support governance and risk management.
• Minimum 5 years managing staff and departmental budgets.
• 7+ years managing complex healthcare compliance projects.
• 10+ years experience in health plan compliance, operations, audits or consulting.
• CHC or CHPC or comparable healthcare regulatory compliance certification.
• Knowledge of state and federal healthcare regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversees day-to-day compliance, translation/interpreter and rights protection activities.
• Develops and implements compliance policies and procedures for the Harris Center.
• Maintains current policies and a library of up-to-date procedures.
• Develops a compliant program supporting state and federal laws.
• Monitors the compliance program and advises leadership and the Board.
• Supervises teams identifying compliance issues and provides training.
• Coordinates internal/external audits and follows up on findings.
• Establishes whistleblower systems and ensures safe reporting of concerns.
• Ensures disciplinary mechanisms align with deviations and policies.
• Maintains awareness of contract and statutory requirements affecting operations.
• Reports to the Audit Committee and communicates requirements to leadership.
• Conducts investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by leadership.

Skills

Healthcare compliance

Staff management

Budget management

Audit coordination

Policy development

Risk assessment

Education

Master’s in Counseling and Education, Clinical Mental Health, or related discipline

Juris Doctor (JD) preferred

Job description

Brief Description The Compliance Director provides direction and oversight of the Compliance Program. The Compliance Director is responsible for identifying and assessing areas of compliance risk for the Harris Center and ensuring the Harris Center’s adherence to state and federal program services guidelines. The Compliance Director is responsible for communicating the importance of the Compliance Program to the management and the Harris Center Board of Trustees and collaborating with management to effectively incorporate the Compliance Program within the system operations and programs and to carry out the responsibilities of the role. The Compliance Director has administrative oversight for the Compliance Auditors, Rights Protection Office, Interpreter and Translation services and must have prior experience as a healthcare compliance auditor. Coordinates special projects specific to a Division or Center-wide as requested by the CEO, the Board of Trustees and/or Leadership Staff. Plans, assigns, and/or supervises the work of others. Works under minimal direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Compliance Director reports to the Assistant General Counsel- Risk Management and Compliance of the Harris Center.

Brief Description The Compliance Director provides direction and oversight of the Compliance Program. The Compliance Director is responsible for identifying and assessing areas of compliance risk for the Harris Center and ensuring the Harris Center’s adherence to state and federal program services guidelines. The Compliance Director is responsible for communicating the importance of the Compliance Program to the management and the Harris Center Board of Trustees and collaborating with management to effectively incorporate the Compliance Program within the system operations and programs and to carry out the responsibilities of the role. The Compliance Director has administrative oversight for the Compliance Auditors, Rights Protection Office, Interpreter and Translation services and must have prior experience as a healthcare compliance auditor. Coordinates special projects specific to a Division or Center-wide as requested by the CEO, the Board of Trustees and/or Leadership Staff. Plans, assigns, and/or supervises the work of others. Works under minimal direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Compliance Director reports to the Assistant General Counsel- Risk Management and Compliance of the Harris Center.

What You Will Do

• Oversees, coordinates, and monitors the day-to-day compliance, translation/interpreter and Rights Protection activities for the Harris Center.
• Implements Compliance policies and procedures on behalf of the Harris Center.
• Establish and maintain current policies and procedures for the Harris Center and maintain a library of up-to-date policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement a compliance program to ensure the Harris Center operates in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Regularly reviews the Compliance Program and the Compliance Work Plan and recommends appropriate revisions and modifications, including advising leadership and the Board of Trustees of potential compliance risk areas.
• Establish, supervise and train teams responsible for identifying compliance issues within the Harris Center.
• Develop, coordinate, and oversee internal and external audit procedures for the purpose of monitoring and detecting any misconduct or noncompliance. If any misconduct or noncompliance is detected, recommend a solution and follow-up to ensure that the recommendations have been implemented.
• Develop and implement appropriate compliance training and education programs for all employees. Ensure and understand the Harris Center’s commitment to comply with all laws, regulations, company policies and ethical requirements applicable to the Harris Center business. Assess the need for additional training and develop appropriate compliance programs.
• Formalize and monitor a system to enable employees to report any compliance without fear of retribution, ensuring that the reporting system is adequately publicized, and the allegations of noncompliance are investigated and responded to promptly.
• In consultation with Human Resources department, help ensure that there is a mechanism in place for disciplining instances of noncompliance (including the failure to prevent, detect, or report any noncompliance) appropriate to the nature and the extent of the deviation, and ensure consistency in the application of disciplinary action.
• Understands and responds effectively to contract and statutory requirements affecting The Harris Center operations.
• Report to the Board’s Audit Committee at its regular meetings or as otherwise necessary, on any routine audits, significant compliance issues to ensure appropriate discussion of such compliance issues and to ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Communicates contract and statutory requirements clearly to Center management and Board of Trustees.
• Responds to allegations of rights violations and abuse and neglect and other patient rights advocacy issues.
• Plans and Performs compliance audits to determine whether established state standards, laws and rules are followed and identify areas of improvement.
• Is flexible and responsive to changing management priorities.
• Reviews service codes and maintains the Center's chargemaster.
• Maintains professional behavior and provides excellent customer service to both staff and consumers.
• Demonstrates ethical conduct, professionalism, and confidentiality in all activities.
• Complies with Center policy and procedures.
• Manages and maintains PolicyStat in conjunction with the Compliance Manager.
• Prepare regular compliance reports, dashboards and presentations for the executive leadership and the Board of Trustees at its regular meetings or as otherwise necessary, on any routine audits, significant compliance issues to ensure appropriate discussion of such compliance issues and to ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Ensures allegations of rights violations, fraud, waste, and abuse and neglect, convicts of interests, ethical concerns and other patient rights advocacy.
• Issues are appropriately evaluated and escalated.
• Reviews service codes and maintains the Center's chargemaster.
• Conducts investigations as assigned, particularly related to fraud, waste, abuse and other compliance-related matters.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Assistant General Counsel- Risk Management and Compliance and CEO.

What Qualifications You Will Need

• Master’s in Counseling and Education, Clinical Mental Health, or other closely related discipline required, JD preferred.
• At least five (5) years managing staff and departmental budgets.
• At least seven (7) years managing complex projects related to healthcare compliance & the organizational and management of large healthcare systems.
• At least Ten (10) or more years' experience in health plan compliance, operations, audit, and/or health care consulting.
• CHC (Certified in Healthcare Compliance) or CHPC (Certified in Healthcare Privacy Compliance) or comparable Healthcare Regulatory Compliance.
• Knowledge of State and Federal regulations related to healthcare services.
• Knowledge of Texas Administrative Code; Performance Contract
• Understand the legislative process and the public sector healthcare process.
• Effectively negotiate, and maintain objectivity related to corporate practice versus corporate compliance
• Effectively work on a team, manage staff and budgets; peak and write clearly
• Effectively balance priorities and respond to changing corporate priorities

What We Have To Offer

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks. Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being. Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

What Else You Should Know

This posting is associated with position #1082

About Us

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million. As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation. By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential. Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.