Director of Compliance

About Lifeline Community Services

Lifeline Community Services was founded in 1973. Our mission is to break cycles of poverty and build self-reliance by serving more than 25,000 people each year across San Diego County. Through programs focused on behavioral health, family strengthening, housing and stabilization, youth development, anti-human trafficking, and economic empowerment, Lifeline creates pathways to safer, healthier, and more stable futures.

Position Summary

Lifeline Community Services' Director of Compliance will lead the organization's compliance strategy and help ensure programs, operations, and services consistently meet regulatory, contractual, ethical, and internal standards. As part of the leadership team, this position will report directly to the CEO and serve as a trusted advisor to executive and program leaders. The Director will continue to build upon practical systems that strengthen accountability, reduce organizational risk, and maintain audit readiness while supporting high-quality, mission-driven services.

The Director of Compliance will oversee regulatory monitoring, audits, policy development, privacy practices, investigations, corrective action planning, and staff training in partner with HR. This leader will translate complex requirements into clear policies, workflows, and expectations that staff can apply in their daily work. By partnering across programs and departments, the Director will strengthen organizational systems, promote ethical decision-making, and foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement to ensure all federal, state, county, funder, and internal requirements are being consistently met.

Duties & Responsibilities

Required Qualifications

• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in compliance, quality assurance, risk management, healthcare administration, behavioral health, nonprofit operations, contract management, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, public administration, social work, behavioral health, nonprofit management, business administration, compliance, or a related discipline. A master's degree is preferred.
• Experience developing and managing compliance programs, policies, monitoring processes, audits, investigations, and corrective action plans.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, risk assessment, regulatory interpretation, and audit preparation.
• Working knowledge of HIPAA and other privacy and confidentiality requirements, including assessing potential incidents and determining reporting obligations.
• Experience in a nonprofit, healthcare, behavioral health, social services, or government-funded environment strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with county contracts, Medi-Cal, CalAIM, behavioral health documentation, client records, grant compliance, or funder reporting is highly desirable.
• Ability to interpret complex requirements and translate them into practical policies, training, workflows, and staff guidance.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with staff, executives, funders, auditors, and external partners.
• Ability to address difficult or sensitive issues directly, objectively, and professionally.
• Strong personal ethics, discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism when handling confidential information.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, cultural humility, and trauma-informed service delivery.
• Compliance, healthcare compliance, privacy, quality assurance, or project management certification preferred.
• Supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn electronic health record, case management, reporting, and compliance-tracking systems.
• Must be able to commute reliably to Vista, California, with occasional travel to Lifeline locations and meetings throughout San Diego County.

Physical Requirements

• This position primarily operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.
• The role frequently requires sitting or standing for extended periods.
• Occasionally required to lift or move office supplies or materials up to 15 pounds.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with individuals in person, over the phone, and through email.
• Visual and auditory abilities are required to perform essential job functions, including reading printed material and using a computer.
• The employee may be required to move about inside the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, and communicate with others.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle safely for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods while driving.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and life insurance
• 403b retirement plan
• PTO: 0–2 years: 15 paid days off | Sick: 6 paid days off | 14 paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee incentives and award programs
• Training and education assistance
• Flexible spending account
• Menu of optional benefits including short-term disability, critical illness, accident, hospitalization, and cancer policy