Director of Safeguarding, Risk

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Oversee the safeguarding strategy for Kooth Behavioral Health services in the United States and provide assistance to the Global Head of Safeguarding in implementing Kooth’s global trust and safety framework.

• Ensure that Kooth's offerings are secure and compliant with local and national regulatory standards.

• Direct and oversee the Safeguarding and Trust & Safety functions and frameworks throughout North America.

• Act as a deputy for the Global Head of Safeguarding in specified areas.

• Collaborate with the VP of Clinical Excellence to establish the strategy for the US Clinical & Safeguarding Department.

• Build and lead a high-performing risk management team.

• Ensure that US practices are in alignment with Kooth’s global frameworks.

• Assist HR with confidential investigations related to performance issues.

• Prepare monthly reports detailing function activity, trends, challenges, and improvement plans.

• Ensure that safeguarding-specific risks are reported to executive leadership and the board.

• Analyze both quantitative and qualitative data to elucidate how risks are increased and mitigated.

• Oversee incident reporting, investigations, root cause analysis, and lessons-learned reporting.

• Engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

• Represent the organization at industry conferences and meetings.

• Develop risk policies in partnership with local stakeholders and manage implementation challenges.

• Provide information on risk activities to local commissioners and stakeholders to ensure contract compliance.

• Respond to data requests from local and national stakeholders, including law enforcement.

• Stay updated on evidence-based behavioral health and digital health practices.

• Ensure that clinical policies and procedures address risk and comply with regulatory and best-practice frameworks.

• Govern risk elements across product, content, and service delivery, including conducting audits.

• Support practice audits carried out by Risk Team Specialists.

• Apply relevant risk legislation and identify compliance gaps in collaboration with legal and risk teams.

• Establish, embed, and review processes for risk management, reporting, and prevention.

• Analyze training needs related to risk and provide recommendations.

• Offer specialist advice on risks pertaining to youth behavioral health and vulnerable adults.

• Lead actions for risk mitigation and oversee the development and implementation of risk policies.

• Manage on-call provision and support practitioners dealing with risks.

• Implement lessons learned following risk incidents.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Master’s degree or higher in Psychology, Social Work, Medicine, Mental Health, Counseling, or a closely related discipline.

• At least 7 years of experience in managing risk within a relevant field.

• Proven knowledge of regulatory frameworks and challenges associated with youth behavioral health.

• A clinical license in a relevant field.

• Demonstrated experience in leading safety and safeguarding initiatives within digital healthcare or behavioral health settings.

• Proven experience in people management, including leading, developing, and supporting high-performing teams.

• Experience in developing, implementing, and managing organizational strategies related to safeguarding, clinical safety, and risk management.

• Strong understanding of online trust and safety frameworks, including content moderation, user protection, and the safety of digital platforms.

• Working knowledge of HIPAA regulations and healthcare privacy and compliance requirements.

• Comprehensive understanding of child and adult protection laws, safeguarding regulations, and relevant state and federal regulatory frameworks.

• Experience in conducting compliance risk assessments, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and implementing effective risk mitigation strategies.

• Demonstrated experience in managing clinical and patient safety protocols, incident response frameworks, investigations, and corrective actions.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Capability to handle sensitive situations with sound judgment, discretion, empathy, and professionalism.

• Strong strategic thinking and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

🏝️ Benefits

• Employee equity program.

• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage.

• 401(K) Retirement Plan with company match.

• Generous Paid Time Off.

• Remote-first flexibility and work-from-home support.

• Paid parental leave.

• Learning & development opportunities.

• 8 Paid Holidays, plus two half-day holidays (Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve).