Job Description

Why is This a Great Opportunity?

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced legal professional to lead the legal and compliance functions of a dynamic healthcare organization with a broad network of health centers and corporate entities. With over 140 employees, the organization plays a critical role in delivering healthcare services, requiring strategic legal oversight to navigate regulatory, contractual, and risk-related matters. As General Counsel, you will serve as a key advisor to the President and CEO while shaping policies that ensure compliance with healthcare laws and corporate regulations. This leadership role offers the chance to make a significant impact on the organization's operations and long-term success.


Job Description:

- Advise leadership on legal matters and their potential impact on the organization.
- Ensure compliance with healthcare laws, health insurance regulations, and state and federal requirements, including HIPAA, Medicaid, Title X, 340B, and corporate tax laws.
- Draft and revise policies, procedures, programs, bylaws, legal responses, and communications as needed.
- Collaborate with Senior Leadership, external counsel, and litigation teams to develop legal strategies for claims and regulatory matters.
- Manage litigation affecting the organization, working closely with external legal teams on pre-trial and trial activities.
- Oversee and negotiate contracts, including agreements for services, business operations, and confidentiality protections.
- Provide legal oversight on employment matters in coordination with outside counsel.
- Conduct legal training for staff, ensuring awareness of compliance requirements, contracts, subpoenas, and legal obligations.
- Educate new employees, board members, and volunteers on key legal and compliance considerations.
- Support strategic planning by providing legal insights into operational and governance matters.
- Develop risk mitigation strategies, oversee risk management initiatives, and ensure compliance with accreditation standards.
- Participate in board and committee meetings, providing legal counsel on governance and procedural matters.
- Manage relationships with external legal counsel, including sourcing and retaining pro bono legal support when appropriate.
- Communicate legal and compliance updates clearly to staff and stakeholders, fostering trust and understanding.
- Represent the organization in external engagements, including community service, public presentations, and advocacy efforts.
- Remain available to address legal matters as needed in a dynamic healthcare environment.
- Uphold organizational values such as equitable access, activism, confidentiality, diversity, integrity, and stewardship in all professional interactions.
- Perform additional duties as assigned, with occasional travel required.
- Collaborate with leadership and the Compliance, Risk, and Quality Management (CQRM) committee to oversee compliance functions across the organization.
- Lead compliance efforts, monitor adherence to regulations, and oversee internal and external audits.
- Guide the CQRM committee’s agenda, reporting, and meeting schedule.
- Participate in the clinical quality assurance committee.
- Develop and maintain policies that support the organization’s compliance program and prevent regulatory violations.
- Maintain and update the Standards of Conduct, ensuring alignment with legal and ethical guidelines.
- Identify potential compliance risks and implement monitoring and auditing tools for risk mitigation.
- Oversee the investigation and resolution of compliance issues, coordinating with legal counsel as needed.
- Provide independent reviews of compliance concerns to ensure proper evaluation and resolution.
- Conduct compliance training for new hires and contractors, ensuring ongoing education and annual refresher courses.
- Establish and maintain standards for background checks and exclusion screenings.
- Implement disciplinary processes for compliance violations, ensuring consistent enforcement.
- Stay current on relevant laws and regulatory changes affecting healthcare providers.
- Regularly report compliance matters to the President and CEO.
- Provide compliance updates to the CQRM Committee, Quality Management Committee, and Board of Directors.
- Ensure annual conflict of interest disclosures and board policy documentation are completed.
- Oversee CQRM tools and ensure staff have resources to maintain compliance.
- Manage accreditation processes and ensure timely compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Perform additional compliance-related duties as assigned.


Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree with active membership in both the Missouri and Illinois Bar, along with at least 10 years of legal experience in healthcare, social services, nonprofit organizations, or related fields.
• Competency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Skilled in reviewing, interpreting, and analyzing legal documents, case law, contracts, compliance materials, financial statements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Proven experience delivering presentations to senior leadership, public audiences, Boards of Directors, external legal counsel, government agencies, and regulatory entities.

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