Director, Corporate Counsel – Healthcare Operations, Risk, and Professional Licensure (Behavioral Health)

Position Summary ABC is seeking an experienced and collaborative in-house attorney to support day to day healthcare operations, internal investigations, risk management, and litigation, with a concentration on professional licensure issues and professional liability claims management.  This role will provide legal guidance related to operations, internal investigations, risk-related matters, healthcare-related litigation, professional liabilityclaims management and defense, healthcare professional licensing requirements and defense, credentialing standards, and workforce compliance issues involving BoardCertified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and other clinical personnel across the organization.  This role will also advise and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders regarding ABA facility licensure compliance matters. This role will report directly to ABC’s General Counsel.  The ideal candidate combines strong litigation experience and healthcare operations or regulatory experience, along with practical problem-solving skills and the ability to partner effectively with ABC’s People Services team, Compliance team, clinical leadership, and operational leadership.  Some licensure board, government, or law enforcement experience is strongly preferred.  Applied Behavior Analysis-related experience is also strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

 

• Provide day-to-day healthcare operations support with a focus on risk mitigation efforts.
• Support ABC’s multi-disciplinary internal investigations team with routine internal investigations support.
• Manage healthcare-related risk and litigation matters, including management of outside counsel.
• Manage ABC’s professional liability claims process, partnering with claims adjusters and outside counsel, as necessary.
• Respond to third-party inquiries related to clinical services, including responding to health insurance plan quality reviews. 
• Respond to professional accreditation body and state licensure board requests for information.
• Provide legal counsel regarding professional licensure and registration requirements for clinical employees, including Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Registered Behavior Technicians and other clinical professionals.
• Review and interpret state and federal healthcare laws and regulations affecting licensed clinical personnel and workforce operations.
• Assist with credentialing, privileging, and provider enrollment legal matters in coordination with clinical leadership and ABC’s Credentialing and Compliance teams.
• Advise on state facility licensure compliance matters.
• Draft, review, and revise policies, procedures, and training materials related to operations, professional licensure, and facility licensure.
• In partnership with ABC’s Vice President of Public Policy, monitor legislative and regulatory developments impacting ABA services, professional licensing, and facility licensure, and advise internal stakeholders on operational implications.
• Support audits, internal investigations, and regulatory responses as directed.
• Manage outside counsel on licensure or regulatory matters, or other related matters as needed.
• Provide practical, risk-based legal advice in a fast-paced behavioral health environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.  Texas license strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience in litigation, governmental agency support, professional licensure support, facility licensure support, or other healthcare operations or regulatory support.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Prior in-house healthcare system or hospital experience.
• Litigation or investigations experience.
• Experience with provider licensing, credentialing, and privileging issues.
• Licensure board, government, or law enforcement experience.
• Experience supporting large clinical workforces.
• Demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with operational realities.

Core Competencies:

• Sound legal judgment and strategic thinking
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters
• Practical, business-oriented approach 
• Strong organizational and project management abilities
• Ability to prioritize multiple competing matters effectively

Reporting Structure

This position typically reports to the General Counsel and works closely with ABC’s People Services team, Compliance team, clinical leadership, and operational leadership.

Work Environment

Remote or hybrid, depending on organizational needs Occasional travel may be required Fast-paced behavioral environment with cross-functional collaboration   Compensation: $130K - $180k.