Learn the key steps, strategies, and areas you should focus on to succeed in your first 100 days as a compliance professional
The first 100 days in a compliance role are your opportunity to establish credibility, build trust, and take decisive action. During this time, you will need to quickly understand the organization’s compliance structure, identify areas of risk, and begin making measurable progress. The decisions and relationships you form in this period will lay the groundwork for your future success and set the tone for the impact you plan on making with other team members.
Whether you’re new to compliance or transitioning into a new organization, the first 100 days present challenges that will test your ability to adapt and lead. Here's what you can expect, along with tips to set the right expectation in the early days:
You’ll spend time connecting with key figures like senior leadership and department heads. Earning their trust early will help you gather insights and align your work with the organization’s priorities.
Early on, you’ll need to assess the existing compliance structure. For seasoned professionals, this might involve identifying areas for improvement quickly. For those newer to compliance, this phase will provide valuable learning about the organization's processes.
Compliance roles often involve dealing with a wide range of documents and policies, sometimes spread across disparate systems. The first 100 days will require focusing on the most important areas and prioritizing them, rather than trying to address every issue at once.
Every organization handles compliance differently. Part of your role will be to understand the culture and use this knowledge to effectively implement changes. As the expert, you should be cognizant of how delicate culture can be tarnished, so lean into the relationships you’ve built across departments to help influence change.
Your role will involve achieving early wins to build credibility while also setting a strategy for long-term compliance improvements. Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned professional, balancing these two goals will be essential in showing the impact of the programs you’re building now and later.
Expect some resistance, whether from leadership or team members. Remember, change can be difficult for anyone. Managing pushback and adapting your approach will help you move forward without stalling your initiatives.
Take stock of the compliance programs in place, understanding their strengths and identifying areas that need attention. For seasoned professionals, this may be a quick assessment of gaps, while those newer to compliance may spend more time learning how existing processes work and where they might be improved.
Develop connections with leadership and key stakeholders early. These relationships will be key in aligning your priorities with the organization's goals and gaining support for any changes you recommend. Listen carefully and take the time to understand their perspectives, which will be important as you move forward.
You will need to prioritize your focus areas carefully. Not everything can be addressed at once, so it's important to identify the most pressing compliance risks first. Setting clear priorities in the early days will help you build momentum and avoid getting overwhelmed.
Based on your evaluations, set clear goals that address both immediate risks and longer-term objectives. Make sure these goals are realistic and aligned with the needs of the organization. Balancing the urgent with the strategic is integral to making lasting progress.
Present your findings and initial strategy to leadership. Their support will be essential in driving the changes you want to implement. Keep your message focused on how your strategy will protect the organization, reduce risk, and support their goals. Your ability to secure their trust will help move your initiatives forward.
Identify a few specific areas where you can make quick, visible progress. This could be resolving a known issue, closing a compliance gap, or improving a key process. Early wins help build credibility and momentum for the longer-term initiatives you’ll lead.
Roll out the initiatives you’ve planned, ensuring that you have the support needed to execute them effectively. Collaborate closely with other departments to ensure that the changes are understood and integrated into their workflows. Clear communication and patience will help you avoid unnecessary friction.
Set up a system for tracking your progress and keep leadership informed along the way. Reporting on key metrics will not only demonstrate your success but also provide transparency to the broader organization. Regular updates help maintain alignment and keep everyone engaged in the process.
By now, you’ve addressed the immediate risks and are beginning to build a compliance framework that will evolve with the organization. It’s important to continue focusing on the long-term goals while maintaining the relationships and trust you’ve built. The work you do now will set the stage for ongoing improvements and establish you as a key leader in compliance.
To continue refining your approach, download the “First 100 Days in Compliance” guide. This resource offers an expanded plan with actionable templates and tools to support your work throughout the first three months and beyond. If you have any questions or simply need help, don’t hesitate to reach out through email or LinkedIn and we’ll be more than happy to assist as best we can.
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