Director, Government Compliance

Your Opportunity

An opportunity exists for a Director, Government Compliance who brings deep expertise in government contracting regulations, strong strategic and operational acumen, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to influence through a collaborative leadership style. As a key partner to business, finance, legal, contracts, and operations leadership, this role provides strategic oversight of government compliance programs that support the organization’s growth across federal, state, and municipal markets. 

The ideal candidate is a commercially minded compliance leader with extensive experience navigating complex government contracting environments. This individual will serve as the enterprise subject matter expert on regulatory compliance matters, ensuring the organization maintains strong compliance practices while enabling business objectives.

We are seeking an individual who is capable of balancing strategic leadership with operational execution, driving process improvements, managing regulatory risk, and developing a high-performing team of compliance professionals.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Government Compliance function across the United States.
• Serve as the organization’s primary subject matter expert on Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and other government contracting requirements.
• Partner with executive leadership, Finance, Legal, Operations, and Federal Contracting teams to ensure compliance risks are proactively identified and mitigated.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of compliance programs, policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Oversee government compliance support for major proposals, contract pursuits, and government-funded projects.
• Oversee compliance and governance of contractor business systems including accounting, estimating, purchasing, timekeeping, earned value management, and related business processes.
• Direct the preparation, review, and submission of required government compliance deliverables, including indirect cost rates, disclosure statements, and other regulatory filings.
• Provide leadership and oversight for external audits, reviews, and examinations conducted by federal, state, or other regulatory agencies.
• Develop strategies to enhance audit readiness and strengthen compliance processes across the organization.
• Monitor changes in government contracting regulations and assess the impact on business operations, policies, and practices.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, government auditors, industry organizations, and external advisors.
• Represent the organization in industry working groups, professional associations, conferences, and compliance forums.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of managers, specialists, and analysts responsible for government compliance activities.
• Oversee talent management activities including performance management, succession planning, employee development, engagement, and workforce planning.
• Drive process optimization, technology adoption, and continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, consistency, and scalability within the compliance function.
• Support business growth initiatives by providing strategic compliance guidance on government contracting opportunities and risk considerations.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive decisions across a complex organization.
• Experience managing Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance for organizations with multiple CAS-covered segments, Disclosure Statements, intercompany allocations, shared service environments, and complex indirect cost structures.
• Advanced knowledge of government contracting regulations, compliance frameworks, and audit requirements.
• Strong understanding of government proposal support, contract compliance, audit management, and regulatory governance.
• Ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical business guidance and operational processes.
• Proven ability to develop and implement compliance strategies that balance regulatory requirements with business objectives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate complex, highly regulated environments.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of operational, financial, and contractual drivers within a professional services organization.
• Excellent judgment, professionalism, and credibility when interacting with executive leadership, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Law, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Professional designation (CPA, CIA, CFE, CPCM, or similar) considered an asset.
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in government compliance, government contracting, audit, finance, contracts administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of leadership experience managing teams and compliance programs.
• Demonstrated experience working within a complex professional services, engineering, construction, or government contracting environment.
• Proven track record of leading regulatory compliance initiatives, audit engagements, and organizational change.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.