General Counsel

Description

SUMMARY:
The General Counsel at Santa Fe Recovery Center (SFRC) serves as the organization’s principal legal advisor and risk and compliance leader, responsible for providing expert guidance on a variety of legal, risk, and regulatory matters. This role oversees the organization’s contract management, compliance with healthcare laws and regulations, risk assessment and mitigation, and implementation of accreditation standards, such as CARF. Additionally, the General Counsel and Compliance Officer collaborates with external legal counsel to manage labor, healthcare, and other specialized legal matters, ensuring the organization’s operations align with its mission and legal obligations.

This position is eligible for telework, including the potential for full-time remote work from New Mexico. Candidates must be members of the New Mexico Bar.

We offer a competitive salary range (BOE) and the Benefits shown below. Experience working in the Healthcare Industry and/or Non-Profit is highly preferred. This is a great opportunity to continue to advance in your career while being part of an amazing team that provides support to the community.  

General Counsel Benefits:

• A generous PTO package (3 weeks of PTO, 7 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, & 2 mental health days)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (90% to 100% premium covered by employer)
• ST and LT disability
• Pet insurance
• Opt-in 401k with 4% match 
• Access to our comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7/365 access to a licensed professional for staff and their immediate families

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Contract Management:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts, including solicitation documents, amendments, memoranda of understanding, and agreements related to procurement and healthcare operations.
• Implement and manage a Contract Lifecycle Management System (CLCMS) to oversee contract processes, workflows, and approvals.
• Collaborate with finance to ensure the inclusion of budgetary implications in the contract life cycle management system and workflow. 
• Collaborate with program directors and procurement professionals to ensure contracts are comprehensive, legally sound, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Monitor contractor compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and organizational policies.

Legal Support and Risk Management:

• Provide legal advice and counsel to SFRC personnel on regulatory compliance, procurement activities, grants, and enforcement of contracts.
• Liaise with external labor and healthcare attorneys to address organizational legal issues.
• Conduct legal risk assessments for the organization and manage legal aspects of organizational priorities based on the annual risk heat map.
• Perform first-pass legal reviews to identify and mitigate organizational legal risks.
• Create and perform annual organizational risk assessments that incorporate organizational heatmapping and prioritization of annual risk mitigation against the heatmap. 

Compliance and Accreditation:

• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws, healthcare regulations, and industry best practices.
• Oversee adherence to CARF accreditation standards, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to meet compliance requirements.
• Direct training and development initiatives related to accreditation and compliance, in partnership with internal trainers and external resources.

Policy Development and Governance:

• Develop, implement, and update organizational policies to align with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and enforce adherence to policies across all departments, ensuring consistency and compliance.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on key policies, regulations, and legal updates.
• In coordination with the CEO and the Dir or Board Relations, collaborate with the Board to identify Board-level policies and the annual calendar and cadence for policy review. 

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team, providing insights and recommendations on legal and compliance matters.
• Collaborate with department heads to address legal issues, maintain compliance, and support operational initiatives.
• Support SFRC’s mission and values by fostering a culture of compliance and ethical practices throughout the organization.

Requirements

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Skills/Knowledge/Abilities: 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to manage complex legal and compliance matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting contracts, policies, and legal opinions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Detail-oriented approach to ensure accuracy and compliance in all legal and contractual activities.
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Education and Experience: 

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active member of the New Mexico Bar in good standing.
• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, with a focus on healthcare, contracts, or organizational compliance.
• Demonstrated expertise in contract drafting, review, and negotiation.
• Familiarity with healthcare regulations, including state and federal laws and CARF accreditation standards.
• Experience with policy development, compliance monitoring, and legal risk assessment