Program Manager & Compliance Lead

Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Bonus based on performance Competitive salary Dental insurance Donation matching Health insurance Opportunity for advancement Paid time off Profit sharing Training & development Tuition assistance Vision insurance Wellness resources Location: Seattle, WA Metropolitan Area (Hybrid; onsite access strongly preferred) Employment Type: Full-Time (W2 Employee) About AKIVA AKIVA is an AI-native engineering firm specializing in enterprise services, domain-specific solutions, and high-performance infrastructure from strategy through deployment. We build innovative systems that drive measurable results for commercial enterprises and government agencies. AKIVA is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Position Overview AKIVA is seeking a Program Manager & Compliance Lead to own end-to-end delivery of our on-call / on-demand staffing operation supporting a public-sector client in the Seattle metropolitan area. You will serve as the single point of contractual accountability to the client, manage the recruiting and account-operations team, own SLA and quality performance, and ensure full compliance with employment laws, background-screening regulations, and client-specific workforce requirements. This is a senior, high-visibility role with significant growth potential as AKIVA scales its Pacific Northwest staffing practice. AKIVA-provided AI-assisted governance, compliance-monitoring, and reporting tools may be leveraged to accelerate oversight and continuous improvement. Key Responsibilities • Serve as the single point of contractual and executive-level accountability to the client; own the client relationship and lead recurring business reviews • Own SLA and KPI performance — candidate submittal turnaround (2 business days standard, 5 for hard-to-fill), fill rate, quality-of-hire, billing accuracy, satisfaction scores • Supervise, coach, and develop the Account & Billing Coordinator and Senior Recruiters; set performance targets and conduct regular reviews • Design and enforce the compliance framework — EEOC candidate-assessment guidance, FCRA-compliant background checks, I-9 / E-Verify, state wage-hour laws, driver-abstract reviews for driving-required assignments • Own client-specific compliance obligations — including federal Section 3 tracking and reporting for HUD-funded clients, supplier diversity reporting, and public-records responsiveness under applicable state law • Manage client escalations, candidate performance disputes, and removal requests in accordance with contract terms • Oversee the timesheet, billing, and invoicing cycle in partnership with the Account & Billing Coordinator; ensure invoice accuracy and on-time submission to client AP portals • Build and manage the candidate bench across target labor categories — administrative, IT, accounting, clerical, and adjacent roles • Lead onboarding of new placements, coordinate offboarding at assignment end, and support temp-to-permanent conversions and direct-hire placements • Author and maintain SOPs, process documentation, and continuous-improvement plans • Deliver monthly performance dashboards and quarterly strategic business reviews to the client • Coordinate with AKIVA corporate leadership on subcontractor / teaming-partner management and small-business and WMBE participation reporting • Represent AKIVA in local industry associations, staffing networks, and client-community events Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Public Administration, or related field (equivalent experience may be substituted) • 8+ years of staffing, talent acquisition, or workforce-services experience — including at least 3 years managing a government, public-sector, or multi-role staffing account • Strong working knowledge of EEOC, FCRA, Title VII, ADA, and state/federal employment law as applied to staffing operations • Demonstrated experience leading SLA-driven service-delivery programs • Excellent stakeholder management, escalation handling, and executive-level business-writing skills • Proficient with ATS platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and electronic billing/invoicing portals • Ability to work hybrid in the Seattle metropolitan area and be reachable for executive escalations • Must be authorized to work in the United States Preferred Qualifications • Project Management Professional (PMP), SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or PHR certification • Prior experience with HUD Section 3 compliance, Section 3 worker certification, or public-housing workforce programs • Experience with Washington State public-records responsiveness (RCW 42.56) and related records-retention standards • Experience with supplier diversity / WMBE partner management and reporting • Master's degree in Business, Human Resources, or Public Administration • Familiarity with AI-assisted talent-matching, compliance-monitoring, and executive-reporting tools Tools, Technologies & Frameworks Staffing Systems: ATS platforms (Bullhorn, JobDiva, Avionte, Crelate), VMS platforms | Compliance: FCRA, EEOC, Title VII, ADA, I-9 / E-Verify, HUD Section 3 reporting | Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, SharePoint | Billing / Invoicing: QuickBooks, Bill.com, client AP portals | Reporting: monthly performance dashboards, quarterly business reviews, SLA compliance, placement pipeline, diversity and inclusion reports | AI Assist: talent matching, compliance monitoring, executive reporting What AKIVA Offers • Professional development and skill-building opportunities • Supportive management team with veteran-owned company values • Opportunity to build and scale AKIVA's Pacific Northwest on-call staffing operation • Direct full-time employment with long-term career growth potential • AI productivity tools and training provided at no cost to employees Comprehensive Benefits Package • 401(k) with generous company match • Medical Insurance • Dental Insurance • Vision Insurance • Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance • Paid Time Off (PTO) • Profit Sharing Join Our AI Innovation Network Interested in staying connected with AKIVA's AI initiatives, research, and opportunities? Join our AI Innovation Network here: https://www.akiva.com/ai-network Equal Employment Opportunity Statement AKIVA is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical disability, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that diversity among our teammates is critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people within a qualified candidate pool. AKIVA is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).