General Counsel / Job Req 704950340

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the general supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the General Counsel (GC) works as the legal official at Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance). The GC will lead all aspects of legal affairs at the Alliance, including risk management, litigation, legal compliance, and dispute resolution. Additionally, the GC, in coordination with Associate Counsel(s), would be responsible for managing the legal functions of the organizations and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The GC would lead in-house attorneys, provide direction on legal issues, and work to minimize legal risks.

Principle responsibilities include:

• Oversee the provision and management of Legal Services and their day-to-day affairs.
• Provide legal and risk management advice and judgment on a wide range of legal matters related to Alameda Alliance for Health operations, including but not limited to contract, health law, managed care, contracts, policies and procedures, privacy and/or employment. Provide counsel regarding compliance with requirements specific to public entities including but not limited to Welfare & Institutions Code, Government Code, Brown Act, Corporate Governance, Political Reform Act, and other applicable laws.
• Work with Alliance staff, vendors, providers, and other partners to foster collaborative relationships and ensure alignment with the organization's mission, vision, values and strategic direction.
• Review and negotiate contracts/agreements in coordination with Provider Services and Vendor Management, Information Technology and/or the Privacy Office to ensure the organization's legal interests are protected during transactions.
• Provide legal counsel and guidance on local, state, and/or federal statutory and regulatory matters, interpreting and analyzing relevant laws and regulations.
• Provide legal guidance in administrative law and rule-making processes, ensuring compliance with government regulations and policies.
• Manage tort claims and litigation, representing the organization in legal proceedings, and providing guidance on potential liability issues, sometimes in close coordination with counsel that may be provided by various business partners such as insurance providers. Review all settlement documents and associated documentation for protection of the Alliance’s interests.
• Advise the Board of Governors with regards to internal governance policies and bylaws, including Brown Act compliance.
• Interfaces with County Counsel on all County and Alliance Board matters
• Manage and coordinate third-party counsel when needed for specialized legal needs, overseeing their work, and ensuring it aligns with the Alliance’s goals.
• Keep current on new and emerging laws, policy developments, and best practices related to compliance programs, with a focus on those relating to tax-exempt organizations.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate department activities within established guidelines to meet state, regulatory, and organizational deadlines.
• Research, analyze, and prepare reports on various topics pertaining to legal affairs and active litigation.
• Oversees administration of the Alliance’s Conflict of Interest Code, its maintenance, and other updates to ensure Board members and Staff comply with its requirements.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the Alliance Senior Leadership Team, local and community-based agencies, and local, state, and federal regulators, as directed.
• Oversee real property leasing and general contracting transactions, reviewing and drafting legal documents, as necessary.
• In coordination with the Chief Executive Officer, responds to inquiries, requests, and concerns of the public, public agencies, and staff as they are related to the Board, its members, or its activity.
• Establish a curriculum to educate employees on legal matters, overseeing hiring practices, and litigating on behalf of the company.
• Build strong relationships with leadership teams, external stakeholders, and Board members as well as understanding the strategy and value creation levers for the business and reflect them in legal strategy.
• Serve as a trusted business advisor who proactively engages management and the Board around strategic business issues.
• Anticipate and proactively develop a strategy to address changes in regulatory requirements, legal matters, employment law and public policy and assess whether business is carried out in the right way.
• Develop the corporate risk profile and a strong company-wide framework to empower the legal team to serve as trusted business advisors who are sought out to proactively help the business develop solutions.
• Take the lead in building a strong corporate culture that is aligned with the company’s values around compliance and integrity.
• Manage General Counsel department budget.
• The GC will guide legal matters for the business, navigating complexity while mitigating risk.
• Monitors and evaluates employees and prioritize and assign work, as necessary.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list. The scope of the job may change as necessitated by business/operational demands.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

• Represent the Alliance with professionalism while interacting with community partners, vendors, internal staff, and the Board of Governors.
• Ability to practice discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Commitment to, and an understanding of, concepts of equity, justice, and inclusion in the workplace and a demonstrated ability to effectively work and collaborate across differences; ability to identify and intervene in problematic dynamics across identity.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment and to identify creative solutions to obstacles.
• Ability to work with internal and external stakeholders and naturally seek to support both small projects and large strategic goals.
• Engage in building relationships with individuals’ organization-wide through active and empathetic communication of listening, responding, understanding.
• Skilled in customizing communication strategies for optimal understanding in large gatherings, small teams, and individual scenarios. Capable of evaluating and implementing alternative documentation approaches to ensure clarity and accessibility for diverse audiences.
• Experience collaborating with internal and/or external partners and navigating complex legal frameworks is essential for success in this unique position, where a deep understanding of both nonprofit law and federal regulations is desired.
• Familiarity with, legal substantive areas as applied to public entity and/or local agency organizations, including governance, contract, employment, and other day-to-day matters
• Curiosity, creativity, and initiative with a willingness to accept and take on new challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with staff, Board, and other stakeholders.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Constant and close visual work at desk or computer.
• Constant sitting and working at desk.
• Constant data entry using keyboard and/or mouse.
• Frequent use of telephone headset.
• Frequent verbal and written communication with staff and other business associates by telephone, correspondence, or in person.
• Frequent lifting of folders, files and other objects weighing between 0 and 30 lbs.
• Frequent walking and standing.

Number of Employees Supervised: 4-7

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION OR TRAINING EQUIVALENT TO:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
• Admission to the Bar of the State of California

MINIMUM YEARS OF ADDITIONAL RELATED EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 8-10 years of prior legal experience.
• Minimum of 5-8 years prior experience in health care managed care contracting.
• Minimum of 3 years prior experience in Brown Act Compliance.
• Minimum of year of prior in-house counsel experience preferably at a managed care health organization.
• Minimum of 5-8 years prior experience in employment law.
• Minimum of 5-8 years of prior experience within a managed care health plan.

SPECIAL AND/OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (SKILLS, ABILITIES, LICENSE):

• Must work efficiently and independently and react with appropriate urgency to situations that require a quick response or turnaround.
• Must possess a high level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential information, as well as the ability to work well with people at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Contributes to a positive environment where everyone plays a role in producing the best work possible.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Alameda Alliance for Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement, and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws & ordinances. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable laws including but not limited to the California Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

SALARY RANGE $342,804.16-$514,206.24 ANNUALLY

The Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of qualifications and merit. We strive to have the best qualified person in every job. Our policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. M/F/Vets/Disabled.