Gundersen Health System Hiring for Managing Legal Counsel | Contracts at La Crosse, WI  Full Time

Schedule Weekly Hours:

40

Lead Gundersen’s Contract Excellence: Gundersen Health System seeks a licensed attorney to lead and manage the Contracts team!

In this role, you’ll:

• Report directly to the Associate General Counsel and lead a team of approximately 5 contract services staff, assuming all aspects of team leadership.

• Draft,review,and negotiate complex contracts and related documents across various business functions.

• Leverage your legal knowledge and analytical skills to identify and mitigate risks.

• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure contractual alignment with Gundersen’s strategic goals.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Holds a Juris Doctor (JD) degree (required).

• Possesses 4-6 years of experience in contract drafting,review,and negotiation (required).

• Has a keen eye for detail and a passion for contract excellence.

• Boasts strong Excel skills,including proficiency in pivot tables and V-Lookups.

• Thrives in a collaborative environment and fosters a respectful team atmosphere.

• Has experience with a contract management database (a plus).

• Experience in the healthcare industry (a plus).

• A license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin (LPL) or eligibility for in-house exception (a plus).

• Has the ability to work on site in La Crosse, WI.

What you’ll get:

• Competitive Benefits:We offer a comprehensive package including medical, dental, pet insurance, and a generous retirement contribution.

• Work-Life Balance:We prioritize your well-being with a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

• Health & Wellness:Relax and recharge in our Zen Room with massage chairs, or take advantage of our corporate gym, yoga classes, and local gym discounts.

• Professional Development:Invest in your future with our Tuition Invest Program (up to $3,000 per year), access to hundreds of internal courses, and our Career Development Center.

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:We foster a welcoming environment with an inclusive celebration program and dedicated DEI committee.

• Additional Perks:Enjoy an 18% discount on your Verizon data plan and a 20% discount on Gundersen services not covered by insurance.

Job Description:

This is an in-house position for an experienced attorney with four to six years of experience handling general health care, business, and contractual matters. Reporting directly to the Associate General Counsel, the Managing Legal Counsel will work collaboratively and respectfully across departments to provide a broad range of legal, contract, and risk management services for Gundersen Health System and its affiliates. Managing Legal Counsel will be responsible for managing the department staff. Managing Legal Counsel will develop strategies and offer advice and innovative solutions to empower Gundersen to improve outcomes, efficiencies, and the experience of care within the parameters of the law.

STRATEGIC RELEVANCE — SUMMARY

To advance its position as an innovator and leading health care system, Gundersen Health System (GHS) must continue to demonstrate superior outcomes, provide seamless delivery of care, and ensure competitive cost structures. It must also stay at the cutting edge of emerging technologies and new delivery models that will transform healthcare. The System must anticipate and respond effectively to evolving market and environmental trends, (e.g., shifts in payment models, value-based purchasing, transparency of outcomes and information technology) that will impact the delivery of health care services.

The Manager is responsible for understanding the impact of these forces and trends and for managing the effective response from their AOR (area-of-responsibility). The Manager collaborates with others to achieve GHS’ strategic mission and goals: 1) demonstrate superior quality and safety through the eyes of patients and caregivers; 2) demonstrate superior service through the eyes of patients and colleagues; 3) attract, develop and retain a talented and engaged workforce; 4) demonstrate affordability of care; and 5) achieve programmatic growth. The Manager translates System strategy into staff commitment, action, and accomplishment in their AOR.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager is specifically responsible for:

1.0 Organizational Strategy and Implementation — Understanding market trends and the impact on their AOR, contributing to AOR strategic and operational plans, translating these plans, and ensuring the understanding, alignment and commitment of AOR staff.

2.0 Fiscal Management — Effectively using established processes to ensure accountability for effective operations and resource management.

3.0 Human Resource Management — Effectively using established processes to: select, align, engage, develop, manage, and retain a team of highly skilled staff.

4.0 Excellence in Service and Clinical Quality — Achieving seamless delivery of quality patient care and safety, excellence in patient experience and customer service.

5.0 Organizational Leadership — Providing leadership and accomplishing objectives by ensuring the integration of processes and initiatives while modeling collaboration.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Organizational Strategy and Implementation

1.1 Collaborates with Division/Team leadership to understand external market financial, economic, and industry data, identifying market opportunities and threats.

1.2 Provides leadership and actively contributes to the design and implementation of clinically and fiscally responsive program goals and objectives for their AOR.

1.3 Formulates recommendations for AOR continuous improvement taking into account market demands, regulatory standards, and changes in clinical practice.

1.4 Establishes clear performance standards for their AOR, and monitors established management systems to ensure that cost effectiveness and continuous quality improvement forms the basis for all activities.

1.5 Collaborates with management to ensure that resources are prioritized and in place (i.e., staff, facilities, equipment, supplies, technology, data, and processes, etc.) and properly utilized to achieve AOR objectives through the most effective and efficient operations.

1.6 Contributes to the development of and implementation of processes to collect relevant clinical and financial indicator data which serves as a reliable proxy for clinical effectiveness, cost, and quality.

1.7 In conjunction with AOR leadership, designs and implements improvement of AOR key processes, leading to elimination of variability in cost and quality.

Fiscal Management

2.1 Manages AOR to meet fiscal targets, ensuring the delivery of cost-effective, quality services.

2.2 Participates in financial forecasting and planning along with other members of the AOR management team.

2.3 Develops and presents comprehensive analysis for financial and programmatic recommendations for AOR management.

2.4 Communicates the rationale for financial decisions ensuring a high level of understanding among staff and clinicians.

2.5 Evaluates AOR for potential cost-effective change and manages the implementation of approved changes.

2.6 Ensures staff compliance, and monitors physician compliance, as appropriate, with financial decisions.

Human Resources Management

3.1 Provides vision and leadership to staff in a collaborative environment that offers job satisfaction, performance recognition, and stimulates innovative thinking to accomplish objectives.

3.2 Ensures that AOR management, staff and clinicians understand their roles in accomplishing GHS, Team/Division, and AOR strategic objectives. Establishes expectations for high level of performance and holds individuals accountable for achieving them.

3.3 In collaboration with other AOR leadership and the Human Resources Department, ensures the efficacy of systems/processes to recruit, retain, and develop a high-performance team that meets patient, regulatory, and fiscal requirements for their AOR.

3.4 In conjunction with Team/Division leadership, ensures staff productivity by maximizing staffing efficiency and workflow patterns as well as monitoring and controlling turnover.

3.5 Implements and actively supports the integration of change and conflict management.

3.6 Creates a climate that ensures respect, teamwork, open communication, and professional recognition among a diverse workforce.

Excellence in Service and Clinical Quality

4.1 Ensures the implementation of service, quality and safety standards consistent with System policy for patient experience and internal and external customers in collaboration with AOR leadership.

4.2 Identifies and analyzes trends across services in customer satisfaction and patient experience, clinical quality outcomes, patient safety and cost using data systematically to develop solutions and guide change in AOR practices.

4.3 Models and ensures that AOR staff effectively uphold a customer service orientation to meet legitimate needs of patients and internal and external customers.

4.4 Ensures that confidentiality of patient, staff, and appropriate management data is maintained, and delivers immediate and certain consequences when confidentiality is compromised.

5.0 Organizational Leadership

5.1 Promotes the organization to all constituencies by interpreting and communicating GHS’ mission and values, acting as a loyal, supportive, and informed spokesperson for AOR, Team/Division and the System.

5.2 Collaborates with other internal professionals to identify, reduce, and eliminate barriers within the system which may negatively impact cost and quality of services.

5.3 In the spirit of collaboration, promotes the visibility of AOR leadership throughout the organization.

5.4 Takes responsibility for providing a positive learning environment for students, interns, and residents working within their AOR, collaborating with academic programs, while ensuring patient safety.

5.5 Takes responsibility for identifying areas for self-development and actively seeks opportunities and resources to meet developmental objectives.

KEY INTERFACES

The Manager interacts primarily with the following external interfaces:

• Patients
• Families

  The Manager interacts secondarily with the following external interfaces:

• Payers* scope dependent
• Vendors/Suppliers* scope dependent
• Educational and Regulatory Organizations
• Charitable Organizations
• General Public
• Non-GHS clinicians, hospitals, and facilities

  The Manager interacts primarily with the following internal interfaces:

• AOR staff
• Other Team and Functional Managers
• Directors
• Clinicians

  The Manager interacts secondarily with the following internal interfaces:

• Other Functional Directors and Managers
• Other System Staff

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY & RESPONSIBILITY

The Manager has the authority to formulate and execute AOR vision, objectives, and strategies consistent with the System’s mission, vision and goals. This person determines which resources are needed and facilitates the acquisition of additional resources where indicated.

The Manager has the responsibility to advocate change in AOR processes and systems to ensure optimal, cost effective health care delivery. This individual facilitates the resolution of clinical, staff, and policy issues within agreed upon organizational, financial and regulatory limits. The Manager oversees the enforcement of policy, as well as makes recommendations for changes to AOR staff and leadership. The Manager coaches, monitors, and documents staff performance, makes recommendations for compensation strategy and promotion, and supports the physician recruitment process for their AOR.

The Manager represents Gundersen Health System and their AOR within the System and in the external community.

Education and Learning:

REQUIRED: Juris Doctor (JD) degree

DESIRED: N/A

Work Experience:

REQUIRED: 4-6 years of experience handling general health care, business, and contractual matters

DESIRED: 1-2 years management experience; Experience with contract management database

License and Certifications:

REQUIRED: Licensed to Practice Law in the State of Wisconsin (LPL) or eligible for in-house exception

DESIRED: Licensed to Practice Law in the State of Minnesota or Licensed to Practice Law in the State of Iowa

Age Specific Population Served: Nonage Specific (N/A)

OSHA Category:

Category III – No employees in this job title have a reasonably anticipated risk of occupational exposure to blood and/or other potentially infectious materials.

Environmental Conditions:

Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (as in typical office or administrative work).

Physical Requirements/Demands Of The Position:

Sitting Continually (67-100% or 8 hours)

Static Standing Frequently (34-66% or 5.5 hours)

Walking/Standing Frequently (34-66% or 5.5 hours)

Driving Occasionally (6-33% or 3 hours)

If you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact or call 608-775-0267

Equal Opportunity Employer

EEO/AA/Veterans/Disabilities