73649 – Principal Counsel, Health Transactions

UCOP

University of California, Office of the President

Oakland, CA

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Managing Counsel, Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection Law, the Principal Counsel – Health Transactions provides primary legal support to the University’s medical centers, community hospitals and health sciences schools on complex and high impact healthcare business transactions. Work includes advising and counseling on mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and other affiliations with healthcare facilities, physician organizations and other providers as well as managed care entities; drafting and negotiating related agreements and corporate documents; and advising and counseling on associated legal and regulatory issues including fraud and abuse, antitrust, real estate, governance, and tax laws, as well as UC policies pertaining to healthcare transactions. The position also advises UC Health division within the Office of the President, the Faculty Senate, and campus stakeholders on a broad range of healthcare legal issues. The Principal Counsel – Health Transactions should be a strategic thinker, an approachable adviser, and a strong relationship builder who thrives in a challenging environment and is clearly aligned with the University’s and UC Legal’s values. All team members are expected to actively participate in initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and/or inclusion, whether at UC or in the community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

70% Core Legal and Client Service

Supports the UC Legal Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection Law Group’s coordination efforts to facilitate more efficient, effective, and consistent delivery of health law services system-wide.

Provides substantial expertise within the University in the Health Law field, particularly in health care transactions, including but not limited to mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other business arrangements with healthcare facilities, physician organizations, and other providers as well as managed care entities.

Under general direction handles independently a full range of legal matters and projects, to include those of high complexity and of substantial importance and impact. Regularly counsels and advises senior management in the UC health enterprise, often on issues that can have significance across the system.

Participates on external committees to provide input on issues that affect state and/or federal policy

Keeps informed on changing legislation and case law developments affecting overall operations of the University as they relate to health care transactions.

Provides training as well as client advisories and tools related to such developments.

Directly negotiates matters on behalf of The Regents.

Acts as a liaison with outside counsel.

May provide strategic support and expertise on litigation matters in areas of expertise.

10% Strategic and Practice Advice

Provides high-level strategic advice to University business units, including practical advice and alternative solutions to business concerns.

Collaborates to achieve solutions on the most complex legal issues in area of specialty, providing strategic direction with high level stakeholders such as the medical center CEOs, and senior administrators at Office of the President and/or across UC locations.

Provides actionable and practical advice based on sophisticated interpretation of facts and law in areas of ambiguity.

Identifies and frames systemic legal issues and formulates and proposes strategic approaches to address them which can have broad impact across the UC system.

10% Collaboration and Communication

Recognizes strategic needs of organization and proactively builds relationships with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.

Establishes effective relationships with key internal and external constituencies.

Mentors law clerks, fellows, and other learners.

Functions as lead and technical resource and provides functional advice, training and/or guidance to clients or to less-experienced attorneys.

Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities.

Ensures accurate record keeping in compliance with UC Legal data quality protocols.

10% Commitment to UC Values for Principles of Community

Practices UC Legal’s established Values for Principles of Community: collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and diversity in all interactions, both within and outside the team.

Supports UC Legal’s commitment to diversity efforts — ensures equal opportunity in recruitment process by ensuring diverse representation on search committees and outreach efforts.

Promotes equity in advancements and encourages participation in career advising or mentoring programs.

Experience

Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience advising clients on high-level and complex health care transaction matters required.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated specialized and in-depth experience in high-level and complex health care transactions.
Experience gained in a law firm, or in-house counsel for an academic institution, corporation or other entity.
Significant experience advising executives on sophisticated and often highly complex health care transactions with minimal preparation time.
Requires health law expertise including a sufficient understanding of applicable laws, industry practices, and enforcement trends to identify, assess, mitigate and resolve legal risks associated with Medical Center and Medical School activities, or a willingness to develop such expertise.
In depth abilities in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking.
In-depth understanding of highly complex legal issues and ability to foresee implications of different approaches or actions, even when ambiguous or hidden.
Advanced interpersonal communication skills, including proven ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade and educate.
Skills to gain trust and build credibility with a broad group of colleagues and clients, to include senior leaders.
Advanced written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience.
Advanced research skills; ability to readily identify critical legislative changes in area of specialty.
In depth decision making ability, even when unpopular, earning credibility and support from colleagues.
Advanced skills in project management, and facilitating policy review and changes.
Relied on to represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties.
Developing ability to mentor and coach all levels of staff; provide for succession planning in area of specialty.
Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues.
Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications

Expertise in complex and high impact health care transactions for hospitals and health sciences school clients.
Expertise in such matters for managed care clients, physician group clients or device or drug manufacturer clients is also a positive consideration.

Education

Advanced degree in a related area required

Required Qualifications

Must be in good standing in the California State Bar or admitted within one year of employment. CURRENT ADMISSION IS STRONGLY PREFERRED. California’s Registered In-House Counsel program is NOT available to University of California attorneys.

Travel Requirements

5% Occasional business travel, most frequently within the state of California to UC campuses or medical centers.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person hired will be required to reside within California and report to work on-site at UC’s Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA on a regular basis. Current policy requires that a new employee work on-site at least two days a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (“anchor days”). In exceptional circumstances, approved by the General Counsel, candidates residing in or willing to relocate to California may be considered for a fully remote work arrangement.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title: Counsel 4
Job Code: 000201
Salary Grade: Grade 29

Payscale: $225,000 – $260,000, commensurate with experience

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application. Please apply through this link.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is November 14, 2024. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. EEO/AA Employer UC Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible to any and all users. If you have comments regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at: Accessibility or email the Human Resource Department at: epost@ucop.edu.

Job Bank Sponsorship Opportunity

Each quarter, one law firm and one company will have the opportunity to show their support for diversity in the legal profession and help advance the careers of attorneys of color by becoming a CMCP Job Bank Sponsor.