Director, Services Licensing

With a career at The Home Depot, you can be yourself and also be part of something bigger.

Position Purpose:  

The Director, Services Licensing is responsible for leading the enterprise-wide licensing, permitting, regulatory compliance, and field licensing strategy for Home Services. This role establishes the vision, operating model, and governance framework that ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local licensing requirements while enabling operational growth, service provider performance, and exceptional customer experiences.

The Director develops and executes long-term licensing and compliance strategies, oversees licensing operations, manages regulatory risk, drives process improvements, and leads teams responsible for licensing administration, permit compliance, field licensing support, audits, and regulatory readiness. This position serves as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies, internal business partners, and service providers to ensure Home Depot maintains all required licenses, certifications, and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• 25% Licensing & Regulatory Compliance - Own all licensing and certification programs supporting Home Services operations. Ensure compliance with federal, state, municipal, and trade-specific regulations. Maintain corporate trade licenses and qualifying agent requirements where applicable. Direct jurisdictional research and market-entry evaluations for new programs, service offerings, and geographic expansion opportunities. Serve as executive escalation point for complex licensing issues involving regulators, service providers, and field leadership,

• 20% Operational Excellence & Risk Management - Lead audit programs, risk assessments, quality reviews, and compliance scorecard initiatives. Monitor compliance performance and implement corrective action plans when regulatory deficiencies are identified. Develop enterprise reporting processes that provide leadership visibility into maintenance, audit performance, and compliance trends. Ensure consistent execution of compliance standards across field teams, service providers, and centralized operations. Drive root-cause analysis and sustainable resolution of compliance issues.

• 15% Service Provider Compliance & Field Support - Oversee service provider licensing validation, qualification processes, and ongoing compliance monitoring. Direct field compliance programs including inspections, audits, provider reviews, and regulatory assessments. Partner with field leadership to support regulatory readiness and improve overall compliance performance. Resolve escalated customer, provider, and regulatory compliance concerns.

• 25% Strategic Leadership - Develop and execute the enterprise licensing and regulatory compliance strategy. Establish operating models, governance structures, and performance metrics that support business growth and regulatory adherence. Identify emerging regulatory risks, industry trends, and legislative changes that may impact licensing requirements. Partner with Services Operations, Legal, Government Relations, Merchandising, Field Leadership, and Service Provider Management teams to create scalable compliance solutions. Drive continuous improvement initiatives through process redesign, automation, data analytics, and AI-enabled solutions.

• 15% Team Leadership & Talent Development - Lead managers and associates responsible for licensing operations, compliance administration, audits, and field compliance activities. Establish goals, performance expectations, and development plans aligned with business objectives. Create succession plans and talent development strategies to build organizational capability. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.

Direct Manager/Direct Reports: 

• Reports to: Senior Director, Service Provider Management & Compliance (or Vice President, Services Operations)

• Leads multiple managers, licensing professionals, compliance specialists, and field compliance teams.

• Responsible for organizational design, staffing, budget management, and talent planning within the licensing function.

Travel Requirements: 

• Typically requires overnight travel more than 50% of the time.

Physical Requirements:  

• Must continuously stand or walk or regularly requires lifting/handling/carrying material or equipment of moderate weight (8-20 pounds).

Working Conditions: 

• Typically, in a comfortable environment but with regular exposure to factors such as temperature extremes, moving machinery, loud noise, and fumes that cause noticeable discomfort or a moderate risk of accident or illness.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in licensing, compliance, operations, regulatory affairs, risk management, or related functions.

• 5+ years leading managers and large-scale operational teams.

• Experience interpreting and applying regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with licensing, permitting, code compliance, contractor qualification, or service provider compliance programs.

• Knowledge of home improvement, construction, trade licensing, retail services, or regulated operational environments.

• Strong background in process improvement, automation, analytics, and compliance governance.

• Demonstrated experience influencing senior executives and leading enterprise-wide initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Finance, Compliance, Legal Studies, or related field.

• Significant leadership experience in compliance, risk management, field operations, or regulatory affairs

• Knowledge of multi-state regulatory requirements

• Experience leading teams and influencing cross-functional stakeholders

Minimum Education:

• The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a high school diploma and/or GED.

Preferred Education:

• The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree program or equivalent degree in a field of study related to the job.

Minimum Years of Work Experience:

• 5

Preferred Years of Work Experience:

• 8

Minimum Leadership Experience:

• 5+ years of previous leadership experience

Preferred Leadership Experience:

• 8+ years of previous leadership experience

Certifications:  

• None

Competencies: 

• Strategic Mindset

• Business Insight

• Decision Quality

• Organizational Agility

• Drives Results

• Develops Talent

• Change Leadership

• Risk Management

• Process Improvement

• Data & Analytics Orientation

• Executive Communication

• Customer Focus

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Success Measures:

• Licensing compliance rate

• Audit and inspection performance

• Regulatory risk reduction

• Service provider compliance scores

• Permit and license cycle-time efficiency

• Customer and field partner satisfaction

• Cost savings through automation and process improvement

• Talent development and organizational health metrics