Chief General Counsel

Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities and Position Qualifications:
The Chief General Counselacts as a trusted adviser, barometer and sounding board to the senior leadership team, and is responsible for leading corporate legal initiatives. The Chief General Counsel advocates for the company's legal interests, provides senior management with expert, strategic legal advice, leads and manages the internal legal function, and oversees the retention and management of external counsel. The role works collaboratively with the Chief Compliance Officer to ensure the company is at all times operating within the law and is directly involved in all significant legal matters affecting the company, including complex business transactions, Human Resources' activities, and negotiation of critical contracts.
Essential Functions:

• Substantively contributes to the development of corporate policies, procedures and programs which have a legal or regulatory impact.
• Provides continuing counsel and guidance to senior management on a broad range of day to day legal and corporate governance matters.
• In conjunction with external counsel where appropriate, advises on and manages all major legal disputes affecting the company, and works with the appropriate executive(s) to develop and implement a cost-effective dispute resolution strategy.
• Advises on legal aspects of the company's corporate and business structures and financing.
• Acts as key lawyer/legal advisor on all major business transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.
• Ensures that the company conducts its business in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations (SEC et al).
• Leads and manages the company's internal legal function, including structuring the team and recruiting, managing and developing legal team members.
• Oversees the selection, retention, management and evaluation of all external counsel.
• Prepares and manages a legal team budget.

Skills/Competencies:

• Demonstrates professionalism, ethics and integrity, and other behaviors aligned with Sonic's Values.
• Possesses outstanding verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to deliver outcomes through persuasion and influence.
• Exercises exceptional judgement in weighing inputs and evaluating potential courses of action.
• Builds trusted, collaborative relationships at all levels of the organization and across different teams, divisions and sites.
• Anticipates legal issues and generates practical, effective solutions designed to eliminate or mitigate risk.
• Demonstrates a high degree of commercial and strategic acumen.
• Builds high performing teams through superior leadership skills.
• Is adaptable, resilient and comfortable with ambiguity and complexity.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and learning.

Other Functions:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Qualifications:
Required:

• Relevant law degree and admitted to the bar.
• Broad legal experience in key areas relevant to the company, including: employment law, labor relations, commercial contracting, company law and corporate governance, medical malpractice/litigation, guardianship, real estate, etc.
• Minimum of ten years' experience with six years' experience in a top tier or mid-tier private practice law firm environment and four years' experience in an in-house legal environment.
• Experience in working with and advising a board of directors and/or senior leadership team.
• Experience in attracting, developing, directing, structuring, motivating and driving performance from an in-house legal team.
• Experience in retaining and managing external legal resources in a cost-effective manner which delivers the greatest value to the business.
• Deep understanding of relevant Federal/State regulations (or ability to come up to speed quickly).
• Deep understanding of Health Care Compliance with experience in Corporate Compliance Programs: e.g. HIPAA Privacy, Medicaid, Medicare, Fraud and Abuse (or ability to come up to speed quickly).

Preferred:

• Experience working within a Healthcare environment (Laboratory/Hospital).
• Experience dealing with the Texas Department of Public Health or similar experience.

Travel

• Ability to travel (up to 25%).

License Certification:

• Licensed to practice law in the state of Texas or ability to obtain license in Texas within one year.

Location:

• Austin, Texas (relocation support will be provided to the successful candidate if not currently located in Austin).

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Work Shift:
Job Category:
Compliance / Legal
Company:
Sonic Healthcare USA, Inc
Sonic Healthcare USA is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to an inclusive workplace for all employees. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.