Legal Counsel, Health Plan, Clinical Contracts and Governance

Children's National Hospital$131K — $218K *
Healthcare
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
  • Licensed attorney in MD, DC, or VA upon hire.
  • 9-12 years of progressively responsible legal experience in healthcare.
  • Experience in an in-house legal leadership role within healthcare organizations.
  • Strong management skills for legal departments and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a legal advisor to executive and operational leadership.
  • Provide business-focused legal guidance aligned with the organization's mission.
  • Identify and mitigate legal and operational risks.
  • Support enterprise-wide contracting activities and manage complex agreements.
  • Advise on healthcare regulatory requirements and monitor legal developments.
  • Lead and develop a team of legal professionals and support staff.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health coverage including medical and mental health services.
  • Generous paid time off and sick leave from day one.
  • Financial wellness support with a 401(k) plan and spending accounts.
  • Employer-paid life and disability coverage with optional supplements.
  • Tuition assistance and additional wellness resources.
Full Job Description

Department
10045 Office of the President

Pay Range
$131,060.80 - $218,441.60

About the Role:

This position, reporting to the VP, Deputy General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, supports day-to-day legal operations relating to health plan(s) matters (including CN's Special Needs Health Plan), clinical contracts, international contracts, financial and borrowing matters, foundation matters and governance. The position acts as a trusted advisor to executive and operational leadership. The role serves as a key partner to hospital operations, finance, foundation, human resources, strategy, supply chain, and clinical leadership.

The successful candidate will possess significant healthcare industry experience, strong business judgment, and a demonstrated ability to translate legal requirements into practical operational solutions. The position also demands steady leadership and oversight of legal professionals, paralegals, contract specialists, and administrative staff while supporting departmental strategic initiatives and operational excellence.

Minimum Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.

Required License:

Must be licensed as a lawyer in MD, DC or VA Upon Hire (Required)

Minimum Work Experience

9 to 12 years of progressively responsible legal experience.

Significant experience representing health plans, hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, physician organizations, or other healthcare providers.

Demonstrated experience serving in an in-house legal leadership role within a hospital, health plan or healthcare system.

Prior law firm experience strongly preferred.

Proven experience managing legal departments, legal operations, outside counsel, and multidisciplinary professional teams.

Experience advising executive leadership, governing boards, and operational leaders on complex healthcare matters.

Required Skills/Knowledge

Strong knowledge of health plan, hospital operations and healthcare delivery systems.

Advises on health insurance companies, HMO and self-funded plans. Negotiates provider contracts, insures compliance with Federal and State regulations and related contracts, resolves coverage disputes and represents CN before state insurance and federal regulatory agencies.

Deep experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements and strategic transactions.

Experience supporting executive-level strategic initiatives and organizational growth.

Expertise in health plan and healthcare regulatory compliance, including provider regulatory matters, licensure, accreditation, and reimbursement-related issues.

Working knowledge of healthcare workforce immigration programs, including physician and employee immigration matters.

Demonstrated financial acumen and ability to analyze operational and business implications of legal decisions.

Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

Strong project management and organizational abilities.

Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives and operational realities.

Knowledge of federal and state healthcare laws and regulations.

Functional Accountabilities

Strategic Legal Counsel
  • Serve as a legal advisor to executive and operational leadership on strategic and operational initiatives.
  • Provide practical, business-focused legal guidance that supports the organization's mission, growth strategy, and operational objectives.
  • Identify legal, operational, financial, and reputational risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.
  • Present legal analyses and recommendations to senior executives, committees, and the Board of Directors as requested.

Commercial Contracting and Transactions
  • Support legal services for enterprise-wide contracting activities including clinical contracts such as provider service agreements, joint ventures, joint operating agreements and management contracts.
  • Draft, review, negotiate, and manage complex healthcare, technology, supply chain, professional services, clinical, research, and operational agreements.
  • Provide legal support for mergers, acquisitions, affiliations, joint ventures, management agreements, clinical collaborations, and other strategic transactions.
  • Supports a standardized contracting processes and playbooks to improve efficiency, consistency, and risk management.

Regulatory Affairs
  • Provide counsel on federal and state healthcare regulatory requirements affecting hospital operations.
  • Advise on licensing, accreditation, reimbursement, Certificate of Need, Certificate of Public Need, provider enrollment, fraud and abuse, and related healthcare regulatory matters.
  • Monitor emerging legal and regulatory developments and advise leadership regarding organizational impact.
  • Partner with compliance, audit, finance, and operational teams to support enterprise-wide regulatory initiatives.

Leadership and Team Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop attorneys, legal operations professionals, paralegals, contract specialists, and administrative staff.
  • Foster a highly collaborative, service-oriented, and accountable team culture.
  • Promote continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.
  • Manage outside counsel relationships and related legal expenditures.


Benefits That Support You:
  • Comprehensive health coverage, including medical, prescription, infertility, and transgender health services.
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation accrual from day one, sick leave, holidays, and a personal day.
  • Financial wellness support, including a 401(k) plan and healthcare and dependent care spending accounts.
  • Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage, with optional supplemental plans.
  • Additional perks, including tuition assistance, fitness resources, employee assistance, commuter benefits, and more.


The disclosed salary range includes the minimum and maximum rates within which Children's National believes an individual's base pay rate will fall for this position. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the maximum of the pay range. The exact pay rate for this position will be based on a variety of factors in alignment with the Children's National compensation philosophy. These factors are legitimate and non-discriminatory including, but not limited to, the current market conditions; organizational needs; the individual's combination of prior work experience, level of education, knowledge, skills, and other qualifications. Children's National is committed to providing a fair and competitive total rewards package to each of our employees. This base salary range does not include our comprehensive benefits package or any additional compensation for which this position may be eligible.

About Children's National Hospital

Children's National Hospital Careers

There has never been a better time to explore the job opportunities at Children's National Hospital—the leader in pediatric healthcare. This esteemed institution is not only a beacon of medical innovation and leadership but also a nurturing ground for burgeoning careers in various professional fields.

Work You’ll Do

Join Children's National Hospital's dedicated team to contribute to transformative projects that make a real difference in children's health. This is where skills meet purpose, allowing every team member to engage in meaningful work that supports growth and learning.

Introducing the Children's National Hospital Career Development Program

The program is designed to foster professional growth and leadership through comprehensive diversity training and development initiatives. It aims to prepare individuals for a thriving career in healthcare by equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge.

Do Innovative Work

At Children's National Hospital, innovation is at the core of everything they do. With a commitment to pioneering research and patient care, the hospital offers a platform where professionals can push the boundaries of what's possible in pediatric healthcare.

Engage in Professional Growth

Children's National Hospital is committed to the professional development of its team. With a variety of training programs and networking opportunities, employees are encouraged to expand their expertise and advance their careers within the healthcare industry.

Be Part of a Great Team

Children's National Hospital prides itself on a culture that values teamwork, diversity, and inclusion. Employees enjoy a supportive environment where everyone’s contribution is valued and where every team member plays a critical role in delivering exceptional care.

Future-Proof Your Career

Children's National Hospital offers a range of job opportunities and career paths, from clinical positions to administrative roles. The hospital provides robust support for certifications and further education, ensuring that employees have the resources to succeed and adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Children's National Hospital offers a variety of positions and internships that cater to a wide range of interests and skills. From hands-on patient care to innovative research positions, the hospital is actively hiring and looking for passionate individuals to join their team.

The Children's National Hospital Employment Promise

With a commitment to employee benefits and a focus on work-life balance, Children's National Hospital ensures that every team member is equipped to succeed both professionally and personally. The hospital's leadership is dedicated to creating pathways for advancement and fostering an environment where all employees can thrive.

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