In-House Legal Counsel - Term Limited

Aurora Mental Health & Recovery is seeking a Term-Limited (6-Month) In-House Legal Counsel to provide strategic legal guidance and hands-on support across a broad range of matters impacting our mission-driven healthcare organization. This role will oversee legal aspects of AMHR and its affiliated entities to ensure legal conformity, mitigate organizational risk, and support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and management on complex legal issues involving grants, housing and real estate matters, government and commercial contracts, employment law, regulatory compliance, healthcare operations, privacy, corporate governance, investigations, policy development, and risk management. This position will also conduct legal research, interpret evolving laws and regulations, assist with compliance initiatives, review and negotiate agreements, and help ensure the affairs of the AMHR enterprise are conducted in accordance with all applicable legal requirements. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, solution-oriented attorney with strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to balance legal risk with operational and business objectives in a fast-paced, community-focused environment.

Schedule. This position will work Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, and is eligible for a hybrid model that allows for a mix of remote and in-office work, with an expectation of being in the office two days per week and working from home three days. This schedule may be adjusted based on training and organization needs. 

Term-Limited Position. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position established to support a defined organizational need. The anticipated term is a minimum of six (6) months, with the potential for a longer duration based on ongoing organizational requirements. While temporary in nature, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Aurora Mental Health & Recovery during the assignment period.

Essential Functions: 

• Provide accurate and timely counsel to management within the expertise of the position to include contract issues, labor law, healthcare regulations, and other operational legal issues. 
• Provide counsel to clinical managers as requested for legal issues, including medical decision making/custody issues, etc.  
• Draft and solidify agreements, contracts, and other documents to ensure terms of agreement are being met by all parties; review external contracts and communicate with related entities as to desired adjustments.  
• Anticipate and guard against legal risks and collaborate with Corporate Integrity Officer to draft internal governance policies and regularly monitor compliance. 
• Ensure that the organization's Board is kept abreast of the affairs of AMHR on a regular basis and provide ongoing education to its members on legal issues germane to the industry. 
• AMHR enterprise is kept current with emerging, applicable federal and state legislation 
• Ensure the AMHR Compliance Plan and Program and operations are appropriately communicated to the board 
• of directors, executives, leadership team (“Compliance Committee”). 
• Maintain collaborative relationships with executives, legal counsel and management in all areas, and all staff practice plans to effectively minimize legal risks in this important area. 
• Develop and implement regular and effective education and training programs for all employees. 
• Provide risk management oversight. 
• Conduct and respond, with compliance to investigations and/or information requests initiated externally by both state and federal governmental agencies as well as non-governmental agencies, such as third-party payers. Determine and carry out appropriate action. 
• Proactively monitor the extent to which AMHR enterprise activities are conducted in conformance with applicable standards.  
• Provides strategic legal counsel to executive leadership, HR, and business leaders on employment law matters, workforce risks, employee relations issues, and organizational decision-making. 
• Oversees employment-related litigation, investigations, and compliance efforts, including managing outside counsel, mitigating legal risk, and ensuring fair, consistent, and legally defensible employment practices. 

Requirements: 

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and active Colorado law license in good standing.
• Minimum of five (5) years of legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house counsel role.
• Experience in healthcare, behavioral health, nonprofit organizations, and/or community mental health preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of compliance, employment law, contracts, grants, healthcare regulations, and risk management.
• Experience advising executive leadership and working with an engaged Board of Directors.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit operations, governance, and facility management.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws impacting healthcare organizations.
• Proven financial, budgeting, project management, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization and foster a culture of compliance, ethics, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, and ability to influence organizational decision-making.

Salary for this role. The annualized salary range for this full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week), exempt position is based on a 12-month equivalent and will be prorated based on the actual length of the term-limited assignment. Compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity. This is a temporary, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated minimum term of six (6) months.

• $134,365.60 - $201,548.40 annually (1.0 FTE equivalent)

Required Vaccination and TB Test. 

At AMHR, the health and safety of our clients and staff are our top priorities. As part of this commitment, all employees are required to receive an annual influenza (flu) shot and present a negative TB test result before their first day of work. Proof of both the flu shot and negative TB test must be provided on your first day of employment. Medical and religious exemptions can be requested if necessary. 

Benefits:

• Health insurance: Kaiser
• Dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts (dependent care & health care)
• Company paid basic life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability coverage*
• 403(b) retirement plan, which provides 100% vesting immediately, and matching contributions up to 4% after one year of employment
• Accrued Vacation pay up to 12 days and accrued Sick Pay up to 12 days per year, and 1 floating holiday (hours calculated pro-rata basis based on full-time equivalency)
• The company observes 10 designated holidays each year. Exception: Employees working in 24/7 programs or facilities are scheduled to work their regular shifts if the holiday falls on their scheduled workday. In these cases, employees will receive their regular pay for hours worked plus holiday pay.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary term life insurance
• Short-term disability*

*Eligible for benefit if working 30 hours per week or more

Our Mission, Vision and Core Values.

Mission: Deeply rooted in our diverse community, we deliver state-of-the-art care and meaningful outcomes that impact emotional well-being and addiction recovery.

Vision: To foster hope and healing through compassionate, quality care.

Core Values: Passionate caring; Rising to the challenge; Honoring and respecting all persons; Believing in resilience; Putting clients and community first; Commitment to collaboration and teamwork.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Aurora Mental Health & Recovery and subsidiaries (AMHR) are dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. We do not tolerate discrimination in any form or context, including harassment or exclusion.

Salary : $134,366 - $201,548