General Counsel

KHS Buck Owens Office, Bakersfield, California, United States of AmericaJob Description Posted Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 12 : 08 AM | Expires Monday, March 10, 2025 at 12 : 40 AMKHS reasonably expects to pay starting compensation for the position of General Counsel in the range of $363,983 - 482,278 AnnualAbout KHSKern Health Systems (KHS) is dedicated to improving the health status of our members through an integrated managed health care delivery system.Position SummaryThe General Counsel reports directly to the Board of Directors and is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and manages the Legal Department. The General Counsel serves as the principal legal advisor to the Board of Directors, executive leadership, and key stakeholders. The General Counsel oversees all legal matters affecting the organization, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance in managed healthcare operations, and provides strategic leadership in risk management, contracting, corporate governance, and litigation. The General Counsel also manages and directs the legal department, supervising legal staff, and overseeing external counsel relationships. The role plays a critical part in guiding the organization’s legal strategy to align with its business objectives and mission to serve the healthcare needs of the community.Essential Duties and Responsibilities Provide expert legal advice to the Board of Directors, CEO, and senior management on strategic and operational matters, including healthcare regulations, corporate governance, and compliance.Oversee corporate governance, ensuring compliance with bylaws, corporate policies, and relevant state and federal laws. Work closely with the Board on governance matters, advising on fiduciary duties and board structure.Ensure that KHS complies with all applicable healthcare regulations, including state and federal healthcare laws (e.g., Medi-Cal, HIPAA, CMS guidelines), insurance regulations, and any other pertinent regulations.Review, draft, and negotiate key contracts, including provider agreements, vendor contracts, and other organizational agreements. Oversee legal support for procurement and contracting processes.Identify and manage legal risks for the organization. Develop risk mitigation strategies, manage litigation, and oversee any investigations, claims, or legal actions involving KHS.Direct all legal aspects of litigation, including selecting and managing outside counsel, overseeing case strategies, and ensuring timely and effective resolution of disputes.Provide leadership and direction to the legal department, including hiring, training, and supervising attorneys, paralegals, and support staff. Ensure the legal team is equipped to address the organization’s evolving legal needs and provide high-quality, timely legal services.Oversee relationships with external legal counsel, ensuring effective and cost-efficient use of outside legal services. Manage the performance and scope of external counsel engagements.Develop and implement legal policies and procedures for the organization. Oversee compliance with KHS policies as well as state and federal regulatory requirements.Protect the organization’s intellectual property, ensuring that trademarks, copyrights, and other proprietary assets are secured and maintained.Provide counsel on labor and employment law, including employee relations, benefits, contracts, and disputes. Collaborate with the HR department to ensure compliance with employment regulations.Promote a culture of ethical business practices and integrity across the organization. Serve as the chair or key contributor to the organization’s compliance and ethics committees.Act as a liaison between the executive team and the Board, attending Board meetings and providing regular updates on legal matters. Prepare and present reports on significant legal issues.Employment Standards Minimum Qualifications Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.Possession of an active, unrestricted, and unencumbered license to practice law from the State Bar of California.Nine years of progressively responsible experience as a licensed attorney in a comparable legal environment, with at least three years as a senior level attorney.Legal experience must include knowledge in the areas of public contracting and purchasing procedures, conflicts of interest, the Brown Act, and other areas of public law which impact the operations of KHS.Preferred Qualifications Legal experience working within health care, managed care organizations, or public entities is highly preferred.Certification in health care compliance.Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Demonstrable ability to influence and partner with executives and leaders to drive organizational change and achieve strategic objectives.Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to build and empower impactful teams.Ability to optimally engage and collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization. Strong discernment and understanding of industry and legal trends and challenges.Ability to analyze and apply laws, legal principles, and precedents to specific local health plan matters.Presents oral and written statements of fact, law, and argument in a clear, logical, and persuasive manner.Skill in drafting legal documents such as resolutions, contracts, and legal procedures.Ability to maintain confidential information according to legal and professional standards.Possesses a strong understanding of regulatory requirements for a public agency in the delivery of health care services.Has a comprehensive understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to public entities in California, specifically the open meeting and public records laws.Demonstrates expertise in the areas of health plan licensing, regulatory compliance, managed care operations, and provider and government contracts.#J-18808-Ljbffr

Salary : $363,983 - $482,278