MANAGING COUNSEL, HEALTH AFFAIRS, PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

For UCOP internal applicants, please login to the internal candidate gateway at: Jobs at UCOP   

Position Base: Oakland
Location: UCOP - Franklin Building

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University of California Health (UC Health) is among the largest public academic health systems in the country.  It comprises the University of California’s clinical and health professional education arms, providing leadership and strategic direction for the University’s six academic health centers, twenty-one health professional schools, five NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, four children’s hospital campuses and a Global Health Institute. 

See http://health.universityofcalifornia.edu/ for details.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) delivers ethical, timely, efficient and high-quality legal services to the University of California’s ten campuses, six academic health centers, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as well as to the Board of Regents, the President, the Chancellors and other officers of the University. Its services include prosecuting and defending litigation, drafting and negotiating agreements, providing advice, counsel and interpretation of laws, regulations and policies, and assisting with development of effective compliance and risk mitigation strategies to facilitate the University's complex operations.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection and Systemwide Chief Health Counsel in UCOP, the Managing Counsel, Health Affairs, Privacy and Data Protection will supervise Oakland-based attorneys, paraprofessionals, and staff supporting healthcare, research, and technology operations throughout the UC system. The finalist will advise UC Health, Office of the President, and local leaders on a broad range of health law, privacy and data protection matters affecting the University's academic medical centers, health sciences schools, and other clinical, research, and education operations. Specifically, there will be a particular focus on health care reimbursement and regulatory (e.g., fraud and abuse) matters, complex transactions in healthcare, integration of community hospitals, strategic initiatives, and related fields ranging from precision medicine to technology and cybersecurity. 

The Managing Counsel will assist the Deputy General Counsel, Health Affairs, Privacy and Data Protection in the day-to-day operations of the practice group and the development of its strategic plans and budgets. This leader must be able to manage use of legal resources effectively, including oversight of outside counsel. The finalist will serve as a member of the OGC leadership team, co-lead recruitment and retention efforts for the Oakland group, and provide direct supervision over the lawyers and paraprofessionals working in the Oakland office.

Responsibilities

Client Service (60%)

• Counsels and advises senior and executive management in health law on, or manages team members who advise in areas including, health care reimbursement, transactions, complex health care regulatory matters including but not limited to fraud and abuse, integration of community hospitals, student health centers, health plans, business matters and risk management.
• Serves as a trusted strategic partner with academic health sciences schools, departments and business units, providing practical advice and solutions to all University constituencies.
• Handles matters and supports the DGC in handling matters of the highest significance to the University.
• Works with and leads across the University's academic, clinical and research enterprises to resolve the most complex legal issues facing UC Health and University researchers, focusing on proactive compliance advice and thought leadership on core Health operation areas.
• Provides strategic support to UC Health, Faculty Senate, and other leaders.
• Directly negotiates matters on behalf of The Regents.
• May act as a liaison with outside counsel, and/or represent the University in connection with complex litigation.
• Manages outside counsel budget and cost containment initiatives.
• Functions as lead and technical resource and provides guidance to UC Health, research, and compliance attorneys systemwide on complex health care regulatory, health transactional matters, and investigations.
• Supports DGC in managing legal costs borne by UC Health and other supported units.

Supervision and Mentorship (20%)

• Supervises attorneys, paraprofessionals, and support staff resident in Oakland.
• Oversees work of campus-based Health attorneys.
• Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities.
• Fosters an environment of individual growth and career development, recognizing and utilizing skills of others through clear, specific and timely performance feedback; recruits, mentors and retains talented managers and employees; provides clear expectations and effective coaching, delegates effectively and rewards superior performance.
• Demonstrates an active and engaged commitment to inclusive excellence and fair-shot principles.
• Ensures equal opportunity in search and recruitment process.
• Promotes equity in advancements by describing review process for new staff and administrators, encouraging participation in career advising or mentoring programs, etc.
• Practices OGC's established Values for Principles of Community: collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and inclusive excellence in all interactions, both within and outside the team.
• Understands that safety and environmental issues are essential elements of ensuring the continued success of UC and its employees. Maintains a safe, healthy and environmentally sound workplace.

Strategic Planning (10%)

• Develops, initiates, and leads forward-looking strategic practice group initiatives designed to facilitate the University's compliance with its legal obligations and public mission and to contain expenditures on legal services delivered by or through the practice group.
• Anticipates and proactively addresses challenges arising from the diverse roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders.
• Handles all work flexibly, able to effectively juggle competing priorities and demands in an extremely busy practice.

Leadership (10%)

• Independently and with minimal or no supervision, advises C-Suite in UC Health and the medical centers on critical issues including, but not limited to, health care reimbursement, regulatory compliance (including but not limited to fraud and abuse), transactions, investigations, risk management and business matters affecting the UC health enterprise.
• Assist the Deputy General Counsel - HAPDP - in the day-to-day operations of the practice group and the development of its strategic plans and budgets.
• Serve as a member of the UC Legal Systemwide and Oakland-based leadership teams.
• Provide direct supervision over the lawyers and paraprofessionals working in the Oakland office and lead recruitment and retention efforts for the Oakland group.
• Have significant responsibility in the substantive legal areas described above.
• Support and lead development and implementation of the practice group's efforts to effectively manage use of legal resources, including oversight of outside counsel.
• Delegates work effectively to maximize efficiencies.
• Prepares cost / benefit proposals concerning areas of work to perform in-house, versus payment for an outside firm.
• Ensures accurate record keeping in compliance with UC Legal data quality protocols.
• Complies with delegations of authority for committing University funds, conflicts, cybersecurity and other matters.

Required Qualifications

• 12 or more years of complex, high level attorney experience after receiving a law degree, including experience managing attorneys.
• Law firm and/or in-house experience with a highly complex legal department.
• Experience with core substantive areas of the practice, including health care reimbursement, complex health care regulatory matters including but not limited to fraud and abuse, complex health care transactions, and/or community hospital integration. 
• Outstanding skills in the ability to lead by influence and consensus. Demonstrated ability to make and communicate hard decisions; demonstrated credibility to win support for those decisions from diverse leaders.
• Excellent judgment, and the highest personal integrity and ethics.
• Tact and diplomacy to partner with faculty members, researchers, physicians, and organizational executives to help them achieve their strategic objectives consistent with the University's public mission and its vision and values.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to collaborate, to interact effectively, and to develop and maintain productive working relationships with an array of diverse interests, individuals, and constituencies.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively during interactions and to utilize active listening skills. Outstanding written skills as defined by the ability to compose a variety of concise, informative written materials appropriate to a particular audience.
• Exceptional ability to quickly draft accurate, complete and persuasive legal documents. Exceptional ability to represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external constituencies.
• Willingness and demonstrated ability to network outside the organization through local, state, and/or national professional societies, trade associations, or other institutions to advance the University's interests.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in change-oriented operational management and people leadership with the capacity to lead and motivate a professional team to meet high client service expectations in an extremely visible organization. 
• Proven ability to effectively support professional development and job satisfaction among valued team members. Previous management or supervisory experience and/or significant project management experience.
• Strong working knowledge of California law, regulation, and policy; and of the University's relationship with the California executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Education: J.D. from an accredited law school required

License/Certifications: Member, in good standing, of the California State Bar or admitted within one year of employment required. Current Admission is strongly preferred.

Travel Requirements: 15% Occasional business travel

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: MGN Counsel 3
Job Code:  000203
Salary Grade: Grade 31

Payscale: $290,000 - $400,000, 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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Review of candidate materials will begin immediately and the ability to apply or nominate will continue until the position has been filled .Please contact Kristin Hebert at Caldwell Partners if interested:  <khebert@caldwell.com>. 

For UCOP internal applicants, please login to the internal candidate gateway at: Jobs at UCOP  in addition to connecting directly to Caldwell Partners through the link noted above.

The University has retained Caldwell Partners, a national executive search firm, to assist with this search. Please email confidential inquiries, nominations, or referrals to: UCOPMCHA@caldwell.com .

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is May 6, 2025. 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.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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 .