Chief Risk and Compliance Officer

Behavioral Health Allies•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

The Chief Risk and Compliance Officer (CRCO) is BHA’s senior executive accountable for protecting the individuals served, the workforce, and the organization from preventable harm and loss. Reporting to the CEO, the CRCO leads enterprise risk management across Community Living, BHA Academy, the Early Intervention Clinic, Special Contracts, and Transportation, and serves as BHA’s designated Compliance Officer. The role oversees the full risk lifecycle, including prevention of client and staff harm, reduction of workplace injuries and liability exposure, commercial insurance strategy, and compliance with DMH, DESE, Medicaid, and other regulatory requirements. BHA provides 24/7 residential supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, special education for students with significant behavioral needs, and transportation for vulnerable children and adults. The CRCO is expected to measurably reduce incidents, injuries, and claims; position BHA as a well-controlled risk to insurers and regulators; and provide the CEO, executive team, and Board with clear visibility into the organization’s risk profile. Guided by BHA’s Core Values, the CRCO fosters a culture of safety, accountability, and dignity across divisions. The CRCO sets enterprise-wide risk, safety, and compliance standards and may pause or modify practices, placements, staff assignments, or program activities presenting imminent serious harm or regulatory exposure. The role provides risk sign-off for new service lines, locations, and contracts, escalates significant concerns to the CEO, approves claims settlements and litigation strategy within delegated limits, and holds divisional leaders accountable for corrective actions. As a member of the executive leadership team, the CRCO shares accountability for organizational strategy, growth decisions, and enterprise performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Business Administration, Occupational Safety, Law, or a related field.
At least 7 years of progressive experience in risk management, compliance, client/patient safety, or regulatory affairs, including at least 5 years leading the function at director level or above.
Experience in at least one high-acuity setting comparable to BHA, such as residential IDD services, a psychiatric hospital, legal or law enforcement, a psychiatric residential treatment facility, a governmental entity, child welfare or residential treatment, healthcare, special education or school district risk management, or community behavioral health.
Hands-on experience managing liability claims with carriers and third-party administrators, analyzing workers’ compensation loss trends, partnering with brokers on commercial insurance renewals, and managing litigation with defense counsel.
Track record leading organizations through regulatory surveys, audits, investigations, and corrective action plans, such as DMH, DESE, CMS/Medicaid, The Joint Commission, or CARF.
Experience serving on or reporting directly to an executive leadership team, including preparing and presenting risk and compliance reports to a board or governing body.
Experience leading risk and compliance across multiple sites and service lines, managing a departmental budget, and supervising managers or directors.
Valid driver’s license, acceptable motor vehicle record, and ability to pass all BHA background and registry screenings.
Strategic, enterprise-wide thinking that connects risk, compliance, and insurance decisions to organizational strategy, financial performance, and growth plans.
Executive-level judgment to weigh risk against mission, operations, and cost and provide clear, actionable recommendations to the CEO.
Working knowledge of Missouri DMH Division of Developmental Disabilities standards and abuse/neglect reporting; DESE requirements for private special education agencies, including restraint and seclusion; IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA; Medicaid program integrity and OIG compliance program elements; HIPAA; OSHA, including workplace violence prevention; Missouri workers’ compensation law; and licensing requirements in other states served through Special Contracts.
Insurance and financial literacy, including loss runs, reserves, experience modification rates, retentions and deductibles, total cost of risk, policy forms, and contract indemnification language.
Strong investigation and root cause analysis skills and the ability to turn incident and claims data into prevention strategies adopted by frontline leaders.
Credible, calm communication with regulators, insurers, attorneys, families, and frontline staff, including in crisis and adversarial situations.
High ethical standards and discretion with PHI, personnel matters, and privileged legal information.
Proficiency with incident management and risk management information systems, electronic health records, and data and dashboard tools.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree such as an MHA, MBA, MPH, MSW, or similar.
Professional certification, or ability to attain one within 24 months of hire: ARM, CPHRM, CHC, CHPC, CSP/ASP, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Lead enterprise risk management across all BHA service lines and serve as the designated Compliance Officer.
Prevent client and staff harm and identify and mitigate causes of workplace injuries.
Reduce liability and litigation exposure and lead BHA’s commercial insurance strategy.
Ensure compliance with DMH, DESE, Medicaid, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
Set enterprise-wide risk, safety, and compliance standards for all divisions.
Pause or modify practices, placements, staff assignments, or program activities that pose an imminent risk of serious harm or serious regulatory exposure, notifying the CEO and responsible executive.
Provide risk sign-off before launching new service lines, locations, or contracts, and on contract terms involving indemnification, insurance, or liability.
Escalate significant risk and compliance concerns directly to the CEO and engage outside legal counsel as needed.
Approve claim settlements and litigation strategy within authority limits established by the CEO and CFO.
Participate in the executive leadership team and share accountability for organizational strategy, growth decisions, and enterprise performance.
Hold divisional leaders accountable for completing corrective actions and risk mitigation plans on time, escalating overdue items to the CEO.
Measurably reduce the frequency and severity of incidents, injuries, and claims.
Provide the CEO, executive team, and Board with clear, candid visibility into BHA’s risk profile.
Lead regulatory surveys, audits, investigations, and corrective action plans.
Manage risk and compliance across multiple sites and service lines, including a departmental budget and managers or directors.