PRINCIPAL COUNSEL, HEALTH REGULATORY

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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 Principal Counsel - Health Regulatory provides primary legal support to the University's medical centers and health sciences schools on complex and high impact healthcare regulatory matters. Work includes advising and counseling on healthcare regulations, reimbursement and operations, including but not limited to: Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement; regulatory compliance (e.g., interpreting and applying the Medicare Conditions of Participation, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, EMTALA, CLIA, Controlled Substances Act, and related state regulations); hospital, pharmacy and clinical laboratory operations; facility licensing and accreditation; telehealth services; and responding to government audits and investigations. The position also advises UC Health, Office of the President, Faculty Senate, and campus stakeholders on a broad range of healthcare legal issues. The Principal Counsel - Health Regulatory should be a strategic thinker, 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:

85% Core Legal and Client Service

• Supports the UC Legal Health Affairs, Privacy & Data Protection practice group in facilitating more efficient, effective, and consistent delivery of health law services system-wide.

• Provides substantial legal expertise within the University regarding health care regulations, reimbursement and operations, including but not limited to: Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement; regulatory compliance (e.g., interpreting and applying the Medicare Conditions of Participation, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, EMTALA, CLIA, Controlled Substances Act, and related state regulations); hospital, pharmacy and clinical laboratory operations; facility licensing and accreditation; telehealth services; and responding to government audits and investigations.

• Under general direction handles independently a full range of high complexity legal matters and projects with substantial importance and impact. Regularly counsels and advises senior management in the UC health enterprise, often on issues that can have significance across the system.

• Provides high-level strategic advice to University business units, including practical advice and alternative solutions to business concerns.

• Collaborates 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.

• Provides actionable and practical advice based on sophisticated interpretation of facts and law in areas of ambiguity.

• Identifies and frames systemic legal issues, and formulates and proposes strategic approaches to address them which can have broad impact across the UC system.

• Participates on external committees to provide input on issues that affect state and/or federal policy.

• Keeps informed on changing legislation and case law developments affecting overall operations of the University as they relate to health care regulatory matters.

• Provides client advisories and tools related to such developments.

• Directly negotiates matters on behalf of The Regents.

• Acts as a liaison with and monitors outside counsel.

• Provides strategic support and expertise on litigation matters in areas of expertise.

5% Collaboration and Communication

• Recognizes strategic needs of organization and proactively builds relationships with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.

• Establishes effective relationships with key internal and external constituencies.

• Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities.

• Ensures accurate record keeping in compliance with UC Legal data quality protocols.

5% Mentorship and Training

• Mentors law clerks, fellows, legal support staff and other learners.

• Functions as lead and technical resource and provides functional advice, training and/or guidance to clients or to less-experienced attorneys.

5% 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 legal support staff to maximize efficiency of University resources and provide opportunities for growth.

• Provides clear expectations to legal support staff to establish a strong commitment to teamwork and to meet expected levels of productivity and accuracy.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience advising clients on high-level and complex health care regulatory matters.

• Demonstrated specialized and in-depth experience in at least one of the following health care regulatory areas: reimbursement, compliance or operations.

• Experience gained in a law firm, or in-house counsel for an academic institution, corporation, government or other entity.

• Significant experience advising executives on sophisticated and often highly complex health care regulatory matters 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.

• In depth abilities in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking.

• In-depth understanding of highly complex legal issues and ability to foresee implications of different approaches or actions, even when ambiguous or hidden.

• Advanced interpersonal communication skills, including proven ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade and educate.

• Skills to gain trust and build credibility with a broad group of colleagues and clients, to include senior leaders.

• Advanced written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience.

• Advanced research skills; ability to readily identify critical legislative changes in area of specialty.

• In depth decision making ability, even when unpopular, earning credibility and support from colleagues.

• Advanced skills in project management, and facilitating policy review and changes.

• Relied on to represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties.

• 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 complex and high impact health care regulatory matters for hospitals and health sciences school clients. Expertise in such matters for managed care clients, physician group clients or device or drug manufacturer clients is also a positive consideration.
• Prior experience at government agency responsible for regulating and/or enforcing laws against hospitals, academic medical centers or universities with affiliated health systems, and/or experience with such providers defending against government investigations.

Education

• Advanced degree in related area required

Licenses and Certifications

• Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar. (Out-of-state hire would be afforded time to pass the Bar within a reasonable period.)

Travel Requirements
5% Occasional travel for business meetings, the vast majority of which occur in the state of California.

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 per week on Tuesday 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 4
Job Code: 000201
Salary Grade: Grade 29
Payscale: $235,000 - $275,000 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 January 7, 2026. 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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