Vice President, Deputy General Counsel

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President and Deputy General Counsel (VP DGC) is an enabling role, supporting the achievement of the organizations’ goals in the most fiscally responsible and compliant way. This role manages, plans, organizes and directs the legal function of the organizations and provides legal advice, counsel and representation to internal stakeholders and, upon request, the Boards of Directors. The VP DGC is responsible for budgeting and managing legal costs to the organizations, optimizing internal legal resources and reducing external costs relating to legal consulting and representation relationships. It is critical that the VP DGC identify internal and external resources to further develop the legal function, advancing internal tactical knowledge in areas of importance and relevance to the organizations. The VP DGC provides executive management with effective advice on the organizations’ legal and risk strategies and implementation, manages the legal functions, and obtains and oversees the work of outside counsel, when necessary. The VP DGC is a dedicated and experienced leader who embraces the identity of the legal function as enabling the delivery of the organizations’ shared mission.

A significant focus of this role is to enhance and lead our contract management process in our mission-driven, multi-organizational Enterprise. This position manages the creation, execution, and analysis of contracts to maximize operational performance while reducing risk. The VP DGC will drive process improvements, spearhead the full integration of an automated contracting system, run contract reports routinely for updates to the executive management team, ensure that all contracts are timely renewed or terminated, and ensure overall compliance with contracts across the contract lifecycle. As a critical role in the effective delivery of The Wright Center’s mission, the VP DGC is responsible for prioritizing, organizing, tracking and reporting on the contracts and deliverables within the organization’s legal function.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Integrity, Chief Legal & Governance Officer. The Vice President and Deputy General Counsel will supervise the Paralegal position.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

While living and demonstrating our Core Values, the Vice President and Deputy General Counsel will:

• Provide legal expertise to executive leadership, management and other departments on a wide range of legal issues, including contracts, healthcare law, technology platforms, insurance and risk management, etc.;
• Work collaboratively with multiple departments to ensure legal adherence and support strategic decision-making within the organization;
• Be actively involved in insurance, outside counsel, and executive management discussions of the defense, prosecution, and/or settlements of disputes where warranted, involving the SVP, Chief Legal & Governance Officer and, when necessary or appropriate, the President and CEO and/or Boards of Directors;
• Monitor the legal landscape, share new developments across departments and strategize the optimal Enterprise position as appropriate;
• Oversee the selection, retention, management and evaluation of all outside counsel within budget, with the goals of minimizing the need for external counsel and enhancing internal legal capacity;
• Obtain and maintain a strong working knowledge of the Enterprise’s business, scientific capabilities, and key strategic business objectives;
• Develop internal auditing paradigm for contracts and oversee implementation to ensure Enterprise compliance with contract terms;
• Review, negotiate, and draft contracts with vendors, clients, and partners to ensure legal compliance;
• Oversee and maintain affiliation agreements with educational and non-educational partners, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives as well as regulatory and accreditation requirements;
• Offer research and assistance regarding federal and state regulatory compliance;
• Collaborate with leadership and external partners to develop and manage affiliation agreements with healthcare providers, educational institutions, and community organizations;
• Draft, revise and/or review of all Enterprise contracts, including third-party vendor agreements, affiliation agreements, MOUs, grant agreements, leases, employment agreements, consulting agreements, engagement letters and other agreements, ensuring fair market value for all transactions;
• Identify potential legal risks and advise on mitigation strategies;
• Provide applicable education training to staff on contract management and legal best practices as needed;
• Facilitate all contract life-cycle management including renewals, terminations and amendments;
• Negotiate “non-negotiable” contract terms for inclusion, as applicable;
• Investigate and report contract disputes and discrepancies to SVP, Chief Legal & Governance Officer and recommend remediation strategies;
• Manage contract modifications and amendments in accordance with applicable policies, SOPs and workflows;
• Identify efficiency opportunities and drive process improvement changes relative to the legal function;
• Implement a systematized and structured approach to govern the contract management lifecycle;
• Ensure the organization’s compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to FQHCs;
• Coordinate with management in the development of policies and procedures addressing areas of significant legal, regulatory or other risk impacting Enterprise operations;
• Collaborate with department leaders in solving problems involving legal or risk management implications;
• Manage litigation, coordinate with outside counsel to ensure the best possible prosecution or defense, and represent the organization in legal disputes;
• Represent the organization in legal proceedings, negotiations, and interactions with government agencies as needed;
• Provide reports on a regular basis, and as directed or requested, to keep the appropriate Board, Committee and/or executive team informed
• Unapologetically demand internal and external alignment with our mission, vision and core values, and develop an outcomes-oriented culture in the legal department to optimize mission alignment in outcomes
• Assist in the development of top legal team performance and integrity to promote our Mission, Vision and Core Values at the highest level
• Provide continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters
• Assess the merits of all claims and cases filed against or on behalf of the organizations, work with the appropriate executive(s) to define a strategic response/defense
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department and/or further the mission of the Enterprise

 OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Demonstrate the organization’s Mission, Vision and Core Values in everyday work
• Represent the Enterprise at community events
• Build and nurture relationships through all levels of the Enterprise by demonstrating a genuine desire to develop enduring partnerships aligned around the achievement of common goals
• Foster and grow culture by having individuals and teams own their work to deliver amazing results
• Build trust, respect and collaboration in all business relationships
• Excel in a team environment, supporting and assisting the efforts of other team members
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein

Requirements

• Meet The Wright Center for Community Health and its affiliated entity The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education EOS© People Analyzer Tool
• Buy in and experience working in the EOS® model (strongly preferred)
• Juris Doctorate degree
• Actively licensed to practice law in PA
• 10-15 years of legal experience
• 5 years of executive experience
• A strong blend of management skills and legal experience demonstrated by superior planning, decision-making, negotiation and leadership
• Strong relationship-building skills with all departments and employees, executives, volunteer Directors and community leaders
• Reliable and up-to-date knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local regulatory agency guidelines and laws
• Outstanding communication, collaboration and leadership skills; the ability to inspire and inform
• High visibility both within the organization as well as outside the organization
• Is an outstanding ambassador for the Enterprise in the community and demonstrates organizational pride
• The highest personal integrity and ethics with a demonstrable commitment to the mission of the organizations
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and analytical thinking
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Compliatric is a plus
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-driven environment
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills