Job Description
We are conducting a search for a Lead Legal Counsel on behalf of one of our subsidiary companies. This subsidiary company is committed to the improvement of how healthcare is accessed and delivered.
About the Role
The Lead Legal Counsel will lead corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives. In this crucial and dynamic position, you will offer senior leadership insightful legal counsel on corporate strategies and their execution, while ensuring adherence to all applicable laws and regulations. The Lead Legal Counsel will be directly involved in complex business transactions, negotiation of critical contracts, employee matters and supervision of litigation/dispute resolution. The incumbent will be part of a broader Corporate Center legal team and work with other lawyers on some of the above-referenced matters.
Primary Responsibilities
- Manages the day-to-day activities and responsibilities of the organization’s Law and Compliance Department and its staff.
- Participates in the development of corporate policies, procedures and programs and provides continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all corporate governance, business and compliance matters
- Serves as primary lawyer/legal advisor on all major business transactions
- Ensures that each subsidiary conducts its business in compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory mandates of the EEOC, DOL, and other federal and state laws and regulations, including without limitation, ERISA, Affordable Care Act, and HIPAA
- Oversees procurement and maintenance of all applicable licensees and business registrations across all US states.
- Advises on legal aspects of each subsidiary, including assessing and advising on current and future business structures and legal entities
- Analyzes legal and regulatory issues affecting operations; anticipates and identifies legal issues of concern to the Senior Leadership team, develops legal strategies and solutions; provides advice for strategic planning purposes
- Drafts and reviews, and supervises drafting and review, of contracts and related documents including client, provider, and vendor agreements
- Negotiates, supervises and provides advice regarding litigation and settlements involving claims by and against the Companies
- Identifies, oversees and recommends to the organization’s CEO the selection, work and compensation of outside counsel
- Handles risk management functions including procuring corporate insurance (not limited to E&O, D&O, Excess Liability) to proactively manage the Companies’ risk exposure
- Integrate with the Corporate Center Legal Department which would include, but not limited to, reporting material legal and compliance issues, conferring on parent company corporate matters such as litigation, and receiving support as applicable.
- Maintains professional affiliations to proactively identify strategic and operational risks and issues and keep abreast of developments and trends with the rules and regulations impacting operations
Essential Qualifications
- Progressively responsible experience in the health care industry to include at least five years of leadership experience and demonstrated track record, preferably in companies providing administrative services to self-insured, commercial and Taft-Hartley health and welfare plans, managed care, provider network contracting, corporate law and risk management.
- Prior experience in a senior role of a national healthcare law firm and/or General or Deputy General Counsel of a healthcare or health insurance company or third-party administrator of employer and union based health and welfare plans
- Expertise in ERISA statutory and regulatory compliance matters applicable to self-insured health and welfare plans
- Experience resolving statutory, regulatory and health benefit compliance issues under federal and state law including but not limited to the Consolidated Appropriations Act (Transparency, No Surprises Act, MHPAEA), ERISA, HIPAA and PPACA, internal and external claims review and Department of Labor regulations
- Understanding of litigation, corporate transactions, M&A, general law, other legal processes
- Business acumen, including a well-developed understanding of managed care and the ability to diagnose corporate legal problems and present positive, creative solutions and alternatives
- Manage responsibilities with an appropriate sense of urgency; the ability to function effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Experience resolving conflict and establishing priorities between groups with opposing perspectives and agendas
- Proficiency with software utilized to manage electronically stored information and experience addressing electronic discovery issues
- Must be well-organized, hands on, self-directed, confident, and trustworthy
- Ability to handle long-term and/or complex legal projects with significant financial or other business impact
- Must also possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to brief individuals at all levels of the organization, including top executives and outside counsel, on complex contracting issues
Education and Experience
- JD degree from an accredited law school, licensed to practice law and at least one state, preferably admitted to the New York and New Jersey bars
- 10 years of professional legal experience
- 5 years of leadership experience
This role will be hybrid, working in New York City metro area offices.
Annual Salary Range: $250,000 - $300,000
The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of the posting of an advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member's base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable by law including but not limited to location, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, skills, budget and internal equity.
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Salary Range
At Blue Cross NC, we take great pride in a fair and equitable compensation package that reflects market-price and our starting salaries are typically planned near the middle of the range listed. Compensation decisions are driven by factors including experience and training, specialized skill sets, licensure and certifications and other business and organizational needs. Our base salary is part of a robust Total Rewards package that includes an Annual Incentive Bonus*, 401(k) with employer match, Paid Time Off (PTO), and competitive health benefits and wellness programs.
*Based on annual corporate goal achievement and individual performance.