Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance/Privacy Officer

National Jewish Health (NJH), a nonprofit, nonsectarian healthcare institution, seeks a dynamic, distinguished executive to serve as its Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance/Privacy Officer (VP). This is a unique leadership opportunity at one of the most respected healthcare institutions in the United States.

Established in 1899, NJH is the nation’s leading respiratory hospital and a global authority in lung, heart, and immune disorders. A top-ranked academic medical center, NJH is known for groundbreaking research, innovative care, and a longstanding commitment to access for all patients, regardless of ability to pay. In 2024, NJH launched a bold 10-year strategic plan to advance personalized medicine by integrating research, clinical care, and education at the point of care. NJH physicians and scientists are frequently recognized among the nation’s best, with research published in leading journals and discoveries that have redefined medical understanding. As a nonprofit, NJH maintains its legacy of social responsibility—offering community-based services, operating a tuition-free school for chronically ill children, and continuing its founding mission to serve those in need. With FY2024 revenues of $401 million, NJH operates a 46-bed licensed hospital in Denver, Colorado, and stands as a model of excellence, equity, and innovation in academic medicine.

The Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance/Privacy Officer (VP) is the institution’s chief legal and compliance executive, reporting to the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer (EVP/CFO). The role is highly collaborative, ensuring balanced legal support across NJH’s academic, clinical, and operational domains. The General Counsel provides legal counsel and strategic guidance to all three executive leaders and meets regularly with each. 

The VP oversees legal affairs, corporate compliance, privacy, research regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management. As Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer, this executive ensures regulatory adherence, leads data privacy efforts, and manages responses to privacy incidents. The role will also oversee research compliance as the Institutional Official (IO) for HRPP, IRB(s), and IACUC, ensuring compliance with NIH, NSF, and FDA requirements. This structure supports NJH’s strategic priorities, including the CEO’s focus on national advocacy and philanthropy in response to challenges such as proposed cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and NIH funding. As a result, the VP plays a central role in day-to-day legal and compliance strategy and is viewed as a trusted advisor across all areas of the organization. The VP supervises a team that includes two Compliance & Privacy Analysts, an Administrative Coordinator, and will have the opportunity to hire an Associate General Counsel.

This is a strategic leadership role for an experienced legal professional who thrives in complex, mission-driven healthcare and academic environments. The ideal candidate will hold a Juris Doctor (JD) and have at least ten years of senior experience in academic medicine or healthcare, with deep expertise in healthcare compliance, federal and state regulations, and research oversight. Strong leadership, business acumen, and project management skills are essential. This role suits a strategic, collaborative leader committed to innovation and improvement.

NJH is partnering with WittKieffer for this search. To apply, please provide a résumé and cover letter using WittKieffer's Candidate Portal by visiting https://wittkieffer.com/positions/201244. To express interest or inquire further, please contact Werner Boel, Ashley Buderus, and Jessica Cummings by email at: NJH_VP-GC.CCPO@wittkieffer.com. The review of materials will continue until an appointment has been made

This is an in-person position based in Denver, Colorado. The anticipated salary range for the Vice President is $275,000-$330,000. The referenced pay range represents NJH's good faith and a reasonable estimate of the base compensation range for this position. Individual salaries will be determined within the job’s salary range and established based on (but not limited to) market data, the individual's experience, and expertise, with consideration to related position salaries. NJH also recognizes that its outstanding faculty and staff are its foundation. In every aspect of health care, employees serve as NJH’s greatest asset. With this in mind, NJH has developed a valuable and comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of employees and their families. https://www.nationaljewish.org/employee-benefits-hr/overview.

Commitment to Job Application Fairness: Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.