SENIOR PRINCIPAL COUNSEL, HEALTH TRANSACTIONS

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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

UC Legal - Office of the General Counsel (UCL) provides legal services to the university, including representation, advice, research and training. We also provide legal opinions to the Board of Regents, administration, faculty, staff and others acting on the university's behalf. We report jointly to the Board of Regents and the President.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Managing Counsel, Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection Law, the Senior Principal Counsel - Health Transactions advises and provides primary legal support to UC Health, Office of the President, Faculty Senate, and 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. Represents the Office of General Counsel before leadership on matters relating to healthcare transactions. The Senior Principal Counsel - Health Transactions should be a recognized expert and thought leader in health care transactions; acts independently and with little or no supervision and provides the highest-level strategic legal and strategic advice to C-suite and other senior executives at UC Health and UC medical centers concerning healthcare business transactions, fraud and abuse, antitrust, real estate, governance, and tax laws; identifies threats and opportunities; develops creative solutions regarding such threats and opportunities; initiates, manages and leads long-term projects of key significance to the University in these areas; streamlines and improves business policies, practices and processes in these areas; and 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.

Responsibilities

70% Core Legal and Client Service

• Establishes effective relationships with key internal and external constituencies.
• Recognizes strategic needs of organization and proactively builds relationships with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.
• Provides highest-level strategic leadership and counsel on 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. This includes independently initiating, managing, and completing long-term projects, anticipating areas of risk, concern, and/or liability, proposing fully-developed solutions that anticipate challenges, and taking full accountability for recommendations and decisions.
• Serves as nationwide, recognized expert within the University in all issues related to healthcare business transactions.
• Keeps informed on changing legislation and case law developments affecting overall operations of the University as they relate to health care transactions.
• Directly negotiates matters on behalf of The Regents.
• May act as a liaison with outside counsel, and/or provide strategic support and expertise on litigation matters in areas of expertise.
• Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities.
• Represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties.
• A trusted partner with senior management and a diverse spectrum of clients.

10% Strategic and Practice Advice

• Independently advises senior leadership in UC Health and the medical centers on critical healthcare business transactions.
• Independently identifies opportunities to collaborate 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.
• Streamlines and improves business processes, policies or practices, including identifying threats and opportunities of healthcare business transactions and providing training and education to executive leadership and develop practical tools to ensure compliance.
• Identifies and frames systemic legal issues, and formulates and proposes strategic approaches to address them which can have broad impact across the UC system.
• Elevates and strengthens UC's and UC Legal's reputation and visibility by serving as an ambassador for national, international, and/or legislative matters.
• Works with colleagues at the Office of the President or campus/medical center locations to develop and modify practices and procedures to conform with changing legal requirements.

10% Collaboration and Communication

• Recognizes strategic needs of organization and proactively builds relationships with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.
• Provides guidance to attorneys interested in field of expertise.
• As a recognized expert, participates on external committees to provide input on issues that affect state and/or federal legislative developments.
• Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities.
• Ensures accurate record keeping in compliance with UC Legal data quality protocols.
• 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.

10% Resource Management

• Typically manages outside counsel budget for area of specialty.
• Prepares cost/benefit proposals concerning areas of work to perform in-house versus payment for an outside firm.
• Complies with delegations of authority for committing University funds.
• Appropriately delegates work to maximize efficiency of University resources and provide opportunities for growth of the legal staff.
• Provides clear expectations and mentors legal support staff to establish a strong commitment to teamwork and to meet expected levels of productivity and accuracy.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience advising clients on high-level and complex health care transaction matters. Experience gained in a law firm, or in-house counsel for an academic institution, corporation or other entity.
• Significant experience advising university, medical center or physician 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.
• Expert abilities in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking. A proven team player with a positive attitude and strong interpersonal communication skills.
• In-depth understanding of highly complex legal issues and ability to foresee implications of different approaches or actions, even when ambiguous or hidden.
• Proven ability to identify, explain, and balance business and legal risks.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills, including proven ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade and educate.
• Proven skills to gain trust and build credibility with a broad group of colleagues and clients, to include senior leaders.
• Outstanding written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience.
• Proven ability to understand the business needs of the client and partner with client to facilitate creative and strategic solutions. Outstanding judgment and negotiation skills.
• Outstanding research skills; ability to readily identify critical policy and legislative changes in area of specialty.
• Outstanding decision making ability, even when unpopular, earning credibility and support from colleagues.
• Advanced skills in project management, and facilitating policy review and changes.
• Outstanding ability to establish strategic solutions at the macro-level and to influence stakeholders in alignment with the University's mission.
• 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 such matters for managed care clients, physician group clients or device or drug manufacturer clients is also a positive consideration.

Education

• Advanced degree in related area required

License/Certifications

• Must be in good standing in the California State Bar or admitted within one year of employment. CURRENT ADMISSION IS STRONGLY PREFERRED.

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 5
Job Code: 000200
Salary Grade: Grade 30

Payscale: $285,000 - $335,000 annual, 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

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is September 11, 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.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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.

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