General Counsel (Evanston, IL)

NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is a comprehensive, fully integrated, healthcare delivery system that serves the greater North Shore and Illinois communities. NorthShore is committed to earning the loyalty of those who come to us for care and those who play a role in providing that care.  Service Values which include:  Exceptional Customer Service, Supportive Workplace Interactions and Professional Work Ethic, define the behaviors that each employee demonstrates with co-workers, patients and families, physicians, and visitors.

To learn about the many benefits of working at NorthShore, which include a supportive work environment that promotes professional and career development, recognition of our staff for providing excellent service and a competitive benefits package, please visit www.northshore.org/careers. 

NorthShore University HealthSystem is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please refer to the main career page for more information.

EOE: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets, VEVRRA Federal Contractor. 

Position Overview

The General Counsel role reports to the Chief Administrative & Strategy Officer. This position is responsible for providing legal expertise and strategic guidance on a range of matters including corporate governance, contracts, employment law, and risk management/insurance. In addition, this role will partner with senior leaders to oversee and optimize legal outsourcing arrangements and develop internal operating guidelines to standardize and shape consistent practices across the organization. This position will be integral to developing and implementing tactics associated with the legal and regulatory aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic business partnerships to advance NorthShore’s growth strategy.

Essential Functions

Legal Counsel:

Provide appropriate legal counsel on matters affecting daily operations across departments by assisting, advising, investigating, researching, and resolving legal challenges to ensure that NorthShore is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Develop and demonstrate an understanding of the organization’s business and operational needs to oversee projects and to present information and recommendations.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and leaders to provide actionable and strategic advice on legal issues as they arise, with focus on key areas including:
Corporate Governance
Employment Law
Contracting
Data Security/PHI
Risk/Insurance
Other as needed
Demonstrate awareness and knowledge of industry issues and changes in the law, and anticipates the potential impact of changes on the organization, its goals, and strategy.
Legal Services Optimization:

Partner with senior leaders to proactively develop effective methods to standardize current legal outsourcing arrangements that can be applied across the organization to strengthen strategic execution, decrease cost, increase productivity and enhance process effectiveness and efficiencies.
Effectively partner, collaborate and manage outside counsel to achieve organizational objectives.
Develop and implement new legal practices and initiatives when applicable and appropriate to enhance process effectiveness and strategic execution.
Collaborate with senior leaders and participate in the definition and development of proactive corporate policies, procedures, and programs to ensure legal compliance and that will serve Northshore’s mission and service values.
Identify opportunities and build effective partnerships with other departments in order to achieve organizational goals. 
Contract Management:
Analyze and evaluate the value and risk of contracts or transactions to the organization. Identify and mitigate risks where possible, and provide recommendations that enhance the organizational strategy and provide value to the organization.
Develop, review, and negotiate contracts/agreements such as: health care provider agreements, vendor contracts, licensing agreements, leases, managed care agreements, research contracts, and consulting agreements.
Analyze, negotiate and develop complex transactions such as: asset purchases, joint venture partnerships, physician referral source agreements, purchases of practices, intellectual property partnerships and commercialization. 

 
Experience and Education

15 years of experience as Corporate General Counsel and/or attorney within a law firm
Prior work experience with a healthcare system is preferred
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
Licensed to practice in the state of Illinois
Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes
Healthcare business operations knowledge preferred 
Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook)
Demonstration of NorthShore Service Values
Demonstration of NorthShore Leadership Success Criteria
Ability to work cross-functionally 
Collaborative
Critical thinking skills
Financial and business acumen
Politically savvy
Negotiation Skills
Strong interpersonal Skills
Analytical mindset
Agility
People management
Strong written and verbal communication