Deputy Commissioner for Quality, Risk and Compliance

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) seeks an experienced, strategic leader for the role of Deputy Commissioner of Quality, Risk and Compliance. The ideal candidate will oversee agency-wide quality management, internal controls, investigations, risk management, data analytics, regulatory compliance, and program integrity—coordinating and supervising the work of the Office of Quality Management, the Bureau of Program Integrity, the Investigations Unit, the National Background Check Unit, and the Data Analytics team.

Serving as a senior advisor to the Commissioner and member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Deputy Commissioner will set strategic vision and priorities, provide direct supervision to unit directors, and ensure quality, risk, and compliance are fully integrated across DDS operations. Key responsibilities include developing standard operating procedures and internal controls, coordinating data-informed mitigation and response activities, and fostering cross-agency information sharing to protect program integrity and advance the agency’s mission.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):

·         Establish and coordinate agency-wide quality assurance programs, policies, objectives, and procedures to ensure services and supports meet required standards.

·         Integrate systems across Investigations, Quality Enhancement, Program Integrity, Data Analytics, and Risk Management to improve outcomes and vendor oversight.

·         Provide oversight and support to the Assistant Commissioner for Quality Management, Director of Investigations, Director of the National Criminal Background Check Unit, Director of Internal Controls, and the Data Analytics team.

·         Oversee departmental services and administrative functions, including private providers serving more than 20,000 individuals and the direct operations of state-operated facilities and the community services network, to ensure continuous service quality and risk mitigation.

·         Develop and implement policies with the DDS Executive Team to address changing needs, legal obligations, and shifts in the disability services landscape.

·         Lead development and implementation of standard operating procedures and internal controls to support program integrity and compliance.

·         Coordinate data-informed mitigation activities related to risk identification, response, and monitoring.

·         Serve as the agency lead on audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.

·         Engage and collaborate with internal departments, legal and security teams, external partners, and regulatory bodies to foster alignment and compliance.

·         Participate in interagency meetings with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to advance cross-agency collaboration and shared priorities.

·         Ensure quality, risk management, and compliance activities are informed by data analytics and performance reporting.

·         Provide any and all assistance to the Commissioner as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

·         Minimum of eight (8) years of senior-level experience in strategic operations within a compliance role, preferably in human services serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

·         Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective relationships with stakeholder leaders across state g