Vice President & Chief Legal Officer

VP and Chief Legal Officer will be reporting to the SVP & Chief Operating Officer (SVP/COO) of Memorial Health and to the MH Board of Directors, the Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel serves as the principal legal advisor to executive leadership and the Board of Directors, providing expert analysis, interpretation, and guidance on complex legal and regulatory matters.   Duties include but are not limited to contract management, strategic relationships and transactional matters, litigation and legal proceedings, personnel matters, Board committees and governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.   Ensures legal and compliance concerns are addressed cohesively by also serving as Chief Compliance Officer for the system.

Schedule

Full Time, Days

Please click link below to apply: 

https://jobs.memorial.health/job/2025-28469/

Contact me if interested at Watson.Kari@mhsil.com or schedule a call with me to discuss at:

  https://MemorialHealthIL.as.me/KariWatson

Education/Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school required. Emphasis in health law preferred.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.
• Certificate in Health Law, preferred.
• Certification in Health Care Compliance (CHC) and Membership in Health Care Compliance Association, preferred.Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in healthcare law, with exposure to corporate governance, health care finance, risk management and compliance required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in healthcare law, with exposure to corporate governance, health care finance, risk management and compliance required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of in-house legal experience with responsibility in corporate governance, legal department management, risk management and regulatory compliance in a health care system required.
• Executive leadership experience in a health care organization preferred.

• Directs and oversees efficient and effective system-wide activities of the legal, risk management, internal audit, privacy and compliance departments. May perform or oversee a variety of diverse legal duties, including regulatory filings, business transactions, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), contract review and negotiation, and licensure.
• Provides effective advice and counsel to the MH Board of Directors, affiliate Board of Directors, and executive leadership on legal matters including federal, state and local laws and regulations. Provides guidance to management, medical staff and individuals departments on ensuring legal and regulatory compliance for respective areas.  Provides counsel to Human Resources leadership on policies and applicable federal and state employment laws. 
• Plays a role in managing governance and committees for MH Board of Directors and affiliate Board of Directors. Ensures the board operates within legal and regulatory frameworks and assists in structuring and managing board committees to ensure responsibilities are fulfilled.  
• Supervises, participates in, handles and oversees ongoing litigation matters for the health system and manages relationships with outside counsel.
• Manages physician contracts, including drafting agreements to outline roles, compensation, non-compete clauses and termination terms. Ensures contracts adhere to all healthcare laws. Advises on physician employment and corresponding payment models while ensuring compliance with fair market standards.  Participates in the Memorial Health Board of Directors Compensation Committee to ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate legal risks.
• Directs and oversees system-wide annual risk assessment and audit plan to address ongoing legal and regulatory risks. Reports conclusions and recommendations to CEO, compliance, privacy and security steering committee and the MH Board of Directors and affiliate Board of Directors.
• Manages and maintains system-wide compliance programs and related policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable federal healthcare programs, federal and state laws and regulations.
• Initiates, maintains and publicizes a confidential, easily accessible system for colleagues to report alleged violations of standards without fear of retribution.
• Strategic Acumen: Ability to advise executive leadership and MH board on complex governance, risk and legal matters.  Translates legal concepts into actionable business strategies. 
• Communication & Influence: Effectively communicates requirements and risks to non-legal stakeholders.  Negotiates with external entities to resolve disagreements or disputes.
• Healthcare Regulations: Deep understanding of federal and state healthcare regulations and laws.  High familiarity with health care reform trends and compliance requirements for non-profit governance.   
• Contracting: Highly proficient in drafting and negotiating various types of contracts (i.e. employment, vendor, managed care).
• Executive Leadership & Collaboration: Strong executive presence and leadership skills to foster collaborative relationships between legal team and system leadership.  Strives to align legal strategies with system goals and objectives.    
• Ethical Judgment: Upholds the highest levels of integrity in high-stakes situations.
• Adaptability & Problem Solving: Leverages legal expertise to address complex challenges in the system.  Anticipates and plans for legal risks associated with emerging healthcare trends.

• Direct Reports (7) include:

  • System Director, Internal Audit/Compliance
  • System Director, Risk Management
  • System Contract Analysts and Support (2)
  • Associate General Counsel (2)

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.