Senior Director of Compliance

Democracy Forward; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Democracy Forward Foundation seeks a Senior Director of Compliance to lead and evolve the nonprofit's compliance program. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will ensure regulatory and grant compliance, design policies, and drive staff training in a dynamic environment.

The role blends strategic oversight with hands-on implementation, requiring strong legal judgment and collaborative leadership across the organization.

Qualifications

• 12–15+ years of compliance experience within the nonprofit sector or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, governance, and ethics in nonprofits.
• Experience building and maintaining a compliance function with policies and training.
• Ability to translate complex regulations into clear guidance for diverse audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including senior leadership presentations.
• Collaborative work style and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee regulatory and legal compliance for the organization, including 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) requirements.
• Maintain internal controls, procurement compliance, and grant/contract compliance.
• Develop training materials and ensure staff stay updated on compliance changes.
• Lead policy development, calendar tracking, and compliance program improvements.

Skills

Compliance leadership

Project management

Legal reasoning

Written & verbal comms

Stakeholder engagement

Collaboration

Adaptability

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Position Summary:

Democracy Forward Foundation (“Democracy Forward”) seeks an experienced, mission-driven Senior Director of Compliance to support the organization’s compliance function. Reporting to the General Counsel, the Senior Director of Compliance will be responsible for the organization’s compliance with legal and financial standards as well as grant and contract authorities.

This is a senior role that requires both strategic vision and operational execution. The ideal candidate brings deep nonprofit compliance expertise, sound legal judgment, and the ability to review and design systems that work in a dynamic environment.

This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging 2 times per week) to effectively support the nature of the role. Remote candidates within the United States will also be considered. If a candidate is outside of the DC area, travel to DC is expected 1-2 times per quarter.

The Senior Director of Compliance reports to the General Counsel and works in close partnership with the senior team, including other members of the General Counsel’s Office, the Chief of Staff, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Chief of People and Culture.

Key Responsibilities:

Below are the key areas of responsibility for this role. The specifics of each responsibility may vary based on the needs of the organization and department.

Regulatory & Legal Compliance

• Partner with the Office of General Counsel to oversee compliance, including with requirements governing 501(c)(3) and (c)(4) organizations.
• Provide assistance and, where appropriate, oversight regarding employment and ethics policies, ensuring adherence to the organization's Code of Conduct.
• Oversee state charitable solicitation registration and ensure compliance and the timely filing of state registration renewals.
• Partner with the People and Culture team to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal employment law and standards.
• Maintain grant compliance tracking systems and participate in compliance reviews.
• Support due diligence for contractors and vendors, ensuring compliance with best practices.

Internal Controls & Audit Readiness

• Work closely with Finance to support internal financial controls.
• Support the Finance team with regard to audits and programmatic reviews.
• When necessary, assist General Counsel in conducting internal reviews and audits.

Compliance Program Leadership, Policy Development and Guidance

• Maintain and update a compliance calendar tracking important deadlines and compliance requirements across the organization.
• Drive the updating and revision of compliance policies.
• Develop training materials for staff and departments and manage compliance with training requirements.
• Ensure staff is updated and trained on changes to compliance requirements.
• Support the development and revision of organizational policies.

Qualifications:

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.

Required

• At least 12-15+ years of compliance experience, with substantial experience and/or knowledge of the nonprofit sector, employment law, and professional ethics.
• Strong project management, and familiarity with CRM systems.
• Deep knowledge of federal and state employment and nonprofit law, IRS regulations governing tax-exempt organizations, and nonprofit governance best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain a compliance function, including policy development, training, and monitoring systems.
• Strong analytical and legal reasoning skills; ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership.
• Collaborative working style.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences, including internal staff, leadership, and outside stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work in fast-paced environment.
• Ability to adapt workflows, based on changing priorities.
• Ability to move work forward independently and develop and make recommendations and alternatives to recommendations, efficiently and effectively seeking guidance fromstakeholders.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion.

Preferred

• J.D. or equivalent legal training; active bar membership is a plus but not required.
• Experience in a legal, advocacy, or policy-focused nonprofit organization.
• Familiarity with employment law compliance and professional ethics rules.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings.
• This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Accommodations will be provided as needed.

The salary range for this position is $180,000 – $200,000 plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Democracy Forward Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; LGBTQIA+ people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia.

Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar. Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying.

Democracy Forward is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all, including those with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the hiring process, please email [e-mail] or 833-391-4732.