Director, Government Compliance

Stantec; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) plan

Employee stock purchase program

Life and AD&D insurance

Short-term/Long-term disability

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Director, Government Compliance to lead the enterprise-wide regulatory program across federal, state, and municipal contracts. This role partners with Finance, Legal, Contracts, and Operations to embed strong compliance practices that enable growth while managing regulatory risk.

The ideal candidate brings deep FAR/CAS/DFARS expertise, a strategic mindset, and proven experience building high-performing teams in a complex professional services environment.

Qualifications

• Leadership and communication at executive level across a complex org.
• Deep knowledge of CAS, FAR, DFARS and related government contracting requirements.
• Proven track record in regulatory compliance initiatives and audit management.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical business guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Government Compliance across the United States.
• Serve as SME on FAR, CAS, DFARS and other government contracting requirements.
• Partner with Finance, Legal, Operations, and Federal Contracting to identify and mitigate risks.
• Lead development and continuous improvement of compliance programs, policies and controls.
• Oversee compliance support for major proposals, contracts, and government-funded projects.
• Direct governance of contractor business systems including accounting, estimating, and timekeeping.
• Oversee preparation of government compliance deliverables and regulatory filings.
• Lead external audits and examinations and ensure audit readiness.
• Monitor regulatory changes and impact on business operations.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and industry groups.
• Lead and develop a team of managers, specialists, and analysts.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Influence executives

CAS compliance

Regulatory governance

Audit management

Regulatory strategy

Analytical thinking

Risk assessment

Team development

Prioritization

Business acumen

Judgement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Law, Public Administration, or related field

CPA, CIA, CFE, CPCM or similar designation

15+ years in government compliance or related field

7+ years leadership experience

Experience in professional services/government contracting

Job description

At Stantec, we have some of the world's leading professionals passionate about enabling our business to be its best. Our business teams include finance, procurement, human resources, information technology, marketing, corporate development, HSSE, real estate, legal, and practice services. We bring diverse backgrounds, skills, and expertise and create a caring culture where everyone can thrive. Through teamwork and collaboration, we're building a stronger, more resilient Stantec every day.

Your Opportunity

An opportunity exists for a Director, Government Compliance who brings deep expertise in government contracting regulations, strong strategic and operational acumen, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to influence through a collaborative leadership style. As a key partner to business, finance, legal, contracts, and operations leadership, this role provides strategic oversight of government compliance programs that support the organization’s growth across federal, state, and municipal markets.

The ideal candidate is a commercially minded compliance leader with extensive experience navigating complex government contracting environments. This individual will serve as the enterprise subject matter expert on regulatory compliance matters, ensuring the organization maintains strong compliance practices while enabling business objectives.

We are seeking an individual who is capable of balancing strategic leadership with operational execution, driving process improvements, managing regulatory risk, and developing a high-performing team of compliance professionals.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Government Compliance function across the United States.
• Serve as the organization’s primary subject matter expert on Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and other government contracting requirements.
• Partner with executive leadership, Finance, Legal, Operations, and Federal Contracting teams to ensure compliance risks are proactively identified and mitigated.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of compliance programs, policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Oversee government compliance support for major proposals, contract pursuits, and government-funded projects.
• Oversee compliance and governance of contractor business systems including accounting, estimating, purchasing, timekeeping, earned value management, and related business processes.
• Direct the preparation, review, and submission of required government compliance deliverables, including indirect cost rates, disclosure statements, and other regulatory filings.
• Provide leadership and oversight for external audits, reviews, and examinations conducted by federal, state, or other regulatory agencies.
• Develop strategies to enhance audit readiness and strengthen compliance processes across the organization.
• Monitor changes in government contracting regulations and assess the impact on business operations, policies, and practices.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, government auditors, industry organizations, and external advisors.
• Represent the organization in industry working groups, professional associations, conferences, and compliance forums.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of managers, specialists, and analysts responsible for government compliance activities.
• Oversee talent management activities including performance management, succession planning, employee development, engagement, and workforce planning.
• Drive process optimization, technology adoption, and continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, consistency, and scalability within the compliance function.
• Support business growth initiatives by providing strategic compliance guidance on government contracting opportunities and risk considerations.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive decisions across a complex organization.
• Experience managing Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance for organizations with multiple CAS-covered segments, Disclosure Statements, intercompany allocations, shared service environments, and complex indirect cost structures.
• Advanced knowledge of government contracting regulations, compliance frameworks, and audit requirements.
• Strong understanding of government proposal support, contract compliance, audit management, and regulatory governance.
• Ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical business guidance and operational processes.
• Proven ability to develop and implement compliance strategies that balance regulatory requirements with business objectives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate complex, highly regulated environments.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of operational, financial, and contractual drivers within a professional services organization.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, and credibility when interacting with executive leadership, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Law, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Professional designation (CPA, CIA, CFE, CPCM, or similar) considered an asset.
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in government compliance, government contracting, audit, finance, contracts administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of leadership experience managing teams and compliance programs.
• Demonstrated experience working within a complex professional services, engineering, construction, or government contracting environment.
• Proven track record of leading regulatory compliance initiatives, audit engagements, and organizational change.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what is previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what is possible.

Pay Range

• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ, VA Areas-$149,400.00 - $231,600.00 Annually
• Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA, VA Areas-$160,200.00 - $248,400.00 Annually

Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.

Benefits Summary

Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.

The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Primary Location

United States | VA | Arlington

Other Locations

United States | CO | Denver

Organization

BC-2395 Financial Services-US Federal Compliance

Employee Status

Regular

Management Level

Midlevel manager

Business Justification

Replacement

Travel

No

Schedule

Full time

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.