Chief Compliance Officer

General Responsibilities

The Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) is responsible for the design, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of an integrated, enterprise-wide Compliance Program for UAB Medicine, including clinical, research, academic, and administrative operations. The CCO serves as an independent and objective authority, ensuring UAB Medicine conducts its operations in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, payer requirements, and internal policies, while fostering a culture of ethics and accountability. The CCO provides strategic leadership, executive-level counsel, and regular reporting to senior leadership and governing bodies, and acts as the principal liaison with external regulatory and enforcement agencies.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Provides enterprise-wide leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of the UAB Medicine Compliance Program to ensure adherence to applicable federal and state laws, regulations, payer requirements, and internal policies.
2. Designs, implements, maintains, and continuously improves an effective Compliance Program consistent with guidance from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), CMS, DOJ, and other regulatory authorities.
3. Reports independently and regularly to the Chief Risk Officer, UAB Health System Board, Audit and Compliance Committee, Chief Executive Officer, executive leadership, department chairs, and Compliance Committee for all responsible entities regarding compliance risks, investigations, program effectiveness, and emerging regulatory issues.
4. Ensures appropriate authority, independence, and access to leadership to effectively execute compliance responsibilities, including escalation of significant compliance matters when necessary.
5. Leads enterprise-wide compliance risk assessments, identifies areas of vulnerability, and develops and oversees mitigation strategies aligned with organizational priorities and risk tolerance.
6. Directs the annual enterprise-wide compliance risk assessment and development, execution, and monitoring of the Compliance Work Plan, ensuring inclusion of priority compliance elements, accountability for deliverables, timely completion of work plan activities, and regular reporting to executive leadership and governing bodies.
7. Oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of compliance-related policies, procedures, and standards of conduct across all UAB Medicine entities.
8. Overseed the direction and coordination of compliance monitoring, auditing, and review activities, including targeted departmental and operational reviews to assess compliance with laws, regulations, and internal controls.
9. Overseed a comprehensive compliance education and training program to ensure providers, employees, leadership, and governing bodies understand and comply with applicable legal and ethical requirements.
10. Ensures effective mechanisms for reporting compliance concerns, including confidential reporting channels, and enforces protections against retaliation.
11. Oversees and/or conducts internal investigations of alleged compliance violations, coordinating with Legal, Internal Audit, Privacy, Risk Management, Medical Records Governance, Medical Staff Affairs, Human Resources, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
12. Serves as the primary point of contact for government agencies and external regulators in matters related to compliance audits, inquiries, investigations, and enforcement actions - delegating as appropriate.
13. Overseed corrective action plans, repayment processes, and disclosure obligations, ensuring timely resolution and organizational learning from compliance issues.
14. Provides compliance and ethics guidance for strategic initiatives, including new clinical programs, affiliations, acquisitions, joint ventures, and contractual relationships.
15. Leads, develops, and mentors the Compliance Department, including workforce planning, performance management, professional development, and succession planning.
16. Manages the Compliance Program budget with the Director of Financial Analysis and Budget Development, including allocation of resources necessary to support effective enterprise-wide compliance oversight.
17. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

Master's Degree in a related field and ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in health care compliance, regulatory oversight, audit, or related field, including leadership at a large, complex health system.

Licenses / Certifications / Registrations

Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) by the Compliance Certification Board (CCB) required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Approximately four (4) to ten (10) direct reports.

Budget Responsibilities

Management of funds with signatory and/or budget authority.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Expert knowledge of applicable healthcare laws, regulations, and enforcement priorities affecting large, complex health systems