General Counsel

Care. No Matter What.

We are Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, the largest and most trusted providers of reproductive health care. We are recognized for the wide array of services we provide, the outstanding sexual health education we deliver, and our strong commitment to social justice and health equity. Working for Planned Parenthood is more than a job; it’s being a part of a powerful movement. Together, we’ll take pride in shaping the future of sexual health and reproductive rights for all people.

Position Summary

The General Counsel (GC) will be an experienced health care attorney who will serve a pivotal role in managing the legal affairs of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and its ancillary organizations and will be a critical thought partner and leader across the agency.  The GC will have a deep commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights and will represent PPSNE individually and professionally to help preserve and protect PPSNE’s ability to serve its mission.

The GC will identify, review and evaluate legal and/or compliance concerns within and across the organization.  The GC oversees the full range of legal issues, including state and federal regulatory and reimbursement issues, fraud and abuse issues, contracting, risk management, patient relations, corporate transactions and governance (including nonprofit and tax-exemption standards), real estate, intellectual property, and labor and employment issues.  They work to ensure that PPSNE conducts its business in accordance with the highest standards and ethical business practices, in compliance with all rules and regulations of regulatory agencies and respond thoughtfully in a dynamic legal and regulatory environment. The GC serves as the Compliance Officer for the organization. 

This is an incredible opportunity for an experienced attorney who is passionate about advancing reproductive freedom and is skilled in navigating complex health care and exempt organization issues.

• The GC will partner with the President/CEO and other members of the PPSNE leadership team to advance PPSNE’s strategic goals.
• Compliance and Legal Oversight
• Oversee all compliance and legal matters for the organization, ensuring adherence to federal, state/local, and international laws and regulations and Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) requirements including, but not limited to, OSHA, CLIA, DHHS, Title X, and PPFA Accreditation.
• Provides counsel on health care laws including those on privacy, Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs, fraud and abuse, physician self-referral and anti-kickback laws.
• Serve as the primary legal advisor on a variety of compliance issues, including nonprofit law, advocacy, political work, fundraising, and corporate governance.
• Works in collaboration with the PPFA Litigation and Law team and outside counsel as needed for the management of any claims, litigation, regulatory, compliance, or other legal matters.
• Provide leadership, guidance and oversight to PPSNE’s compliance to PPFA’s accreditation standards and process. This includes collaborating with each department lead to ensure on-going compliance to all accreditation standards.
• Provide counsel on major transactions, including contract negotiation and review.
• Develop and implement corporate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Manage, select, and oversee outside counsel as needed to support organizational needs.
• Regulatory, HIPAA Compliance and Risk Management
• Manage and oversee the PPSNE RQM and Compliance program including committee structure and priorities, documentation, compliance plans, follow through, and all compliance investigations.  Chair the Compliance Steering Committee.
• Collaborate across all departments for identification of potential compliance risks and develop and implement monitoring and auditing tools to periodically review risks, and develop and implement corrective action plans to resolve issues of noncompliance.
• Oversees the organization's HIPAA Privacy Officer, ensuring adherence to HIPAA regulations
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for protected health information (PHI) in accordance with regulatory guidelines
• Manage investigations and reporting processes for potential or actual PHI incidents, ensuring compliance with federal laws and accreditation standards.
• Provide counsel for legal aspects of patients care, including patients’ rights issues.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop auditing and monitoring processes to identify and mitigate risks.
• Prepares or reviews templates, contracts, forms and other tools and resources to support colleagues with legal documents.
• Board Governance
• Review, and as requested draft, of board minutes, resolutions, and agendas for compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Serve as a resource on corporate governance matters and affiliate Bylaws.
• Liaise with external counsel on regulatory matters, claims, and litigation.
• Oversee affiliate compliance plans and initiatives, ensuring optimum compliance with regulatory standards.
• Prepare and present compliance reports to the Board of Directors and executive leadership.
• Leadership
• Provide guidance and dotted line oversight of compliance, legal, and risk management staff, providing leadership and guidance on organizational goals and objectives.
• Work collaboratively with senior leadership, PPFA Litigation and Law team and/or outside counsel
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders to foster a culture of compliance and risk management.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and training to staff to enhance compliance knowledge and skills.
• Provides guidance on revenue cycle matters, including collection and third-party liability issues.
• Adhere to affiliate policies and procedures including meetings and training requirements, ensuring punctuality and attendance, and following personnel policies.
• Leads with an understanding of the role that racial inequity plays in our society and its impact on health, health care systems, and institutions, and consistently integrates a deep understanding of key racial equity concepts into work projects and interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on race, class and other group identities within the context of job responsibilities and projects.  Assumes responsibility within the role to foster a culture of equity, belonging, and accountability.
• Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.  
• Other related duties as assigned.

• Passionate commitment to the mission, vision and values of PPSNE.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited U.S. law school
• Bar admission or ability to qualify as in-house counsel in Connecticut and/or Rhode Island
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and the intersection with health, advocacy, and education
• Minimum of seven years’ legal experience with expertise in nonprofit corporate matters and health care regulatory matters including health care compliance, risk management, HIPAA regulations, and governance
• Willingness to roll up their sleeves to execute projects and programs.
• Outstanding cross-cultural communications skills, in writing, one-on-one meetings, and large presentations.
• Experience working closely with executive staff and board leadership to achieve goals
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high energy, dynamic environment

• Collaborative, values-driven leader
• Strong teamwork and relationship building skills
• Strategic thinker with an attention to details and follow through
• Sense of humor
• Orientation toward outcomes and impact
• Entrepreneurial nature
• Culturally responsive

PPSNE is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values diversity and inclusion and reflects the diversity of our communities and patients. We strongly encourage people of color and members of the LGBTQ community to apply.

PPSNE offers a comprehensive benefit package which includes; Health, dental and vision insurance, retirement savings, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off, a flexible spending account, wellness program and more.

Salary : $195,000 - $267,119