Vice President of Compliance

About Brightpoint

The mission of Brightpoint is to advance the well-being of children by investing in families to disrupt the systemic and multi-generational cycle of racial, social, and economic inequality. 

Previously known as Children’s Home & Aid, Brightpoint has been serving Illinois since 1883. Brightpoint was founded on the belief that the organization had a responsibility to make brave choices to find homes for children. They have evolved that belief and now recognize that bravery comes from the daily choices families make that serve as the spark that ignites the opportunities for children and youth to thrive. Brightpoint promises to be brave with families and support their brave choices because they know strong families create thriving children.

Brightpoint understands that navigating obstacles such as poverty, trauma, and systemic barriers to equity can make this journey challenging, and as such they offer support through the highs and lows. The work of Brightpoint seeks to dismantle system inequities and create a more even playing field for everyone.

Brightpoint puts families and children at the forefront of every decision they make. With an emphasis on prevention works, they are committed to working with families before small problems become life-altering crises. The Brightpoint team takes a data-driven approach to implement research-based solutions that have demonstrable, long-term positive outcomes and create brighter futures. With a budget of over $87 million and offices located across the state the Brightpoint team is able to serve nearly 37,000 children and families each year, linking them to a network of resources.

To achieve this outcome, Brightpoint offers services and programming in the following areas:

• Family Support
• Child Welfare
• Mental Health & Wellness
• Early Childhood Care & Education

To learn more about Brightpoint’s services, visit their website at https://www.brightpoint.org/.

The Opportunity

The inaugural Vice President of Compliance provides executive leadership for Brightpoint’s regulatory, contractual, and funder compliance functions across all programs and services, including DCFS-funded programs, Medicaid-reimbursed services, and grant-funded initiatives.

This role is accountable for ensuring Brightpoint consistently meets federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, as well as the compliance obligations tied to government contracts, Medicaid billing, and private foundation and public grant funding.

The VP of Compliance builds and maintains a strong compliance infrastructure that supports program operations, protects organizational integrity, and reinforces accountability to regulators, funders, and the Board. Working in close partnership with executive leadership and program teams, this role translates complex regulatory and contractual requirements into clear, operational guidance that can be implemented across Brightpoint’s statewide service delivery system.

As a member of the Leadership Team, the VP of Compliance plays a critical role in safeguarding Brightpoint’s ability to deliver services, maintain funder confidence, and operate with transparency and integrity. This position reports to the Chief Information Officer and leads a team of five Quality & Training Specialists.

Core Responsibilities:

Strategy & Risk

• Provide strategic leadership and accountability for Brightpoint’s enterprise‑wide compliance program; align priorities with organizational strategy, program growth, and funding mix (DCFS, Medicaid/Medicare, federal/state and private grants).
• Design, implement, and continuously strengthen an integrated compliance and enterprise risk management program, ensuring risk appetite, escalation paths, and decision rights are clearly defined across the organization.
• Oversee intake, investigation, documentation, and resolution of compliance findings, incidents, and corrective actions, ensuring accountability, timely follow‑through, and prevention of recurrence.
• Provide independent reporting to the CEO and the Board’s Audit & Risk Committee, including dashboards, heat maps, and forward‑looking analyses that inform executive decisions.

Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure organizational compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations governing child welfare, mental health and wellness, early childhood, and family support services.
• Oversee compliance with government contracts, Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement requirements, and grant agreements, including documentation standards, reporting timelines, utilization expectations, and corrective action processes.
• Monitor changes in regulatory guidance, Medicaid and Medicare policy, and funder requirements; proactively support organizational readiness planning.
• Serve as Brightpoint’s primary compliance liaison with state agencies, managed care organizations, grantors, and oversight bodies.

Policy & Internal Controls

• Lead the policy lifecycle and maintain enterprise‑wide compliance policies, procedures, and standards aligned with DCFS rules, Medicaid requirements, accreditation, and funder expectations.
• Embed internal controls in systems and workflows across child welfare, mental health and wellness, early childhood, and family support programs.

Audits & Monitoring

• Lead organizational preparation and coordination for audits, licensing and accreditation reviews, monitoring visits, utilization reviews, compliance assessments, and internal audits based on risk signals.
• Ensure corrective actions are developed, executed, validated, and sustained across all program and administrative areas.

Data Privacy & Technology

• Serve as HIPAA Privacy Officer and oversee organizational compliance with privacy, confidentiality, and data protection standards across clinical and family service programs.
• Partner with IT leadership to ensure cybersecurity safeguards, audit controls, vendor/BAA compliance, and data governance practices are in place.
• Embed compliance into systems (EHR/case management, billing, reporting/BI): define requirements, test controls, validate data integrity for funder reporting and outcomes measurement.

Education & Organizational Culture

• Develop and lead organization‑wide compliance education strategy, including annual compliance training, role‑specific guidance, and leadership accountability measures.
• Operate as a visible advisor and communicator, translating requirements into plain‑language guidance, toolkits, and timely updates across the organization.
• Facilitate an ethical, learning‑oriented culture where compliance enables access, dignity, and high‑quality services for children and families.
• Guide teams through compliance‑related organizational changes with clarity and consistency, helping staff adapt to new systems, standards, and ways of working.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a high‑performing compliance team with clear expectations; coach teams to own compliance in their domains; plan succession and capacity for a large, multi‑site organization.
• Contribute as a full Leadership Team member, contributing to organization‑wide policy and strategy through a compliance and risk lens.

Candidate Profile

We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Enterprise Compliance & Risk Leadership

A systems‑minded and trusted advisor, the Vice President of Compliance brings substantive experience leading enterprise‑wide compliance programs across DCFS, Medicaid/Medicare, and/or other grant‑funded services. They design clear, practical controls and governance structures that anticipate regulatory, financial, operational, privacy, and reputational risk—ensuring Brightpoint remains both audit‑ready and mission‑ready. A strategic thinker, they proactively and transparently communicate with executives, program leaders, and staff, offering insight, coaching, and guidance that strengthens decision‑making at every level. They bring steadiness and discernment to complex challenges, translate risk into actionable plans and reinforce a culture where accountability and learning go hand in hand. By modeling integrity, building organizational capacity through training and education, and navigating competing priorities with clarity and purpose, they help Brightpoint safeguard its commitments to children, families, and the communities they serve.

Regulatory & Government Contract Expertise 

Grounded in the regulatory and funding frameworks that shape Brightpoint’s work—including DCFS requirements, CMS guidance, Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement expectations, HIPAA/privacy standards, accreditation protocols, and federal and state grant obligations—this leader brings the sophistication to interpret complex rules and the practicality to make them usable for teams. They understand how compliance and funding expectations play out across Brightpoint’s diverse service areas and have built strong relationships with state agencies, managed care organizations, auditors, and public and private funders. With a steady and solutions‑oriented approach, they translate evolving regulations into clear operational guidance, technology‑enabled workflows, and documentation practices that staff can confidently apply. In doing so, they help preserve Brightpoint’s credibility, protect vital funding streams, and ensure the organization remains aligned with the standards that allow children and families to thrive.

Systems Fluency & Operational Integration

A natural connector who meets teams where they are, this leader turns requirements into clear, sequenced actions that people can actually do—aligning policies, workflows, and role‑specific guidance so frontline staff, supervisors, and executives move in concert. In close partnership with the CIO and IT—as well as clinical/program leaders, finance and revenue cycle and HR—they embed compliance into platforms and processes (EHR/case management, billing, data standards, access controls, cybersecurity/privacy) and ensure the right controls are built into the work, not as an afterthought. They develop high-performing teams, convene cross‑functional initiatives, and remove operational friction so teams can deliver consistently and confidently at scale.

Governance, Communication & People Leadership

A steady, trusted voice, this leader builds transparent governance that gives executives and the Board the clarity to steer—delivering concise dashboards, risk analyses, audit results, and corrective‑action progress—and communicates early and often in plain language that invites understanding and action. A compelling advisor and teacher, they design adult‑learning programs that stick and embed learning in the flow of work, raising confidence from the front line to the boardroom. They develop high‑performing teams anchored in integrity, curiosity, and service; set fair, consistent expectations; and coach leaders to own compliance in their domains. By pairing clear storytelling with measurable follow‑through, they guide teams through payer changes, regulatory updates, and technology rollouts, reinforce accountability, celebrate progress, and strength a culture where doing what’s right is a collective responsibility. 

Mission, Equity, and Values-Driven Leadership

A seasoned and experienced leader, the Vice President of Compliance will embody the values and mission of Brightpoint and, as a result, will inspire and motivate others to advance that mission in a collaborative way. Energized by strengthening the well‑being of children and their families, this leader ensures our service-delivery choices are grounded in integrity, accountability, and unwavering compliance. They recognize that empathy is essential, especially when translating complex requirements into approaches that honor frontline realities and support consistently high standards of care. They bring the foresight and knowledge to help the organization adapt to evolving regulations, technologies, and funding environments while communicating implications and progress clearly to leaders and staff. Trusted without reservation, they cultivate community and shared responsibility across Brightpoint and the communities that it serves.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:  

• Master’s degree preferred (MPA/MHA/MPH/MBA or related). Juris Doctor (JD) a plus. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and substantial, demonstrated success leading enterprise compliance (DCFS/Medicaid/Medicare/grants), along with relevant certifications, are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in compliance, regulatory oversight, contracts management, or risk management within child welfare, healthcare, education, or human services organizations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience preparing and presenting complex information, reports, and recommendations to executive leadership and Boards.
• High level of judgment, discretion, and integrity is non-negotiable.
• Ability to travel locally and statewide (up to approximately 20%) is required.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The starting salary for this role is $130,000 and includes comprehensive benefits.  

Contact 

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Malissa Brennan. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential. 

DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Brightpoint is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. All employment activities are conducted in an equal and equitable fashion. The Agency prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, disability or handicap, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, source of income, and any other legally protected category in the recruitment, selection, hiring, determination of salary level and benefits, promotion, demotion, layoff, termination, and other terms and conditions of employment.