Legal Services Director

Job Description

OUR COMMITMENT TO A HUMAN HIRING PROCESS

We believe every candidate deserves thoughtful consideration. That’s why we do not use AI or automated systems to review applications. Every application is reviewed by a real human member of our team. Because we take the time to give each submission the attention it deserves, our review process may take a little longer — and we genuinely appreciate your patience as we work through applications carefully and respectfully.

SERVICE AREA PREFERENCE

While we encourage all interested applicants to apply, we do give priority to those who live in, or near, our service counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, Merced, San Benito, and Mariposa. Our mission of accessible, quality health care guided by local innovation leads everything we do, and having team members who are connected to the communities we serve strengthens our ability to deliver on that commitment.

We have an opportunity to join the Alliance as the Legal Services Director overseeing the Legal Services Department.

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

Reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer, this position:

• Provides strategic management oversight in implementing, directing, and monitoring the Alliance’s Legal Services Department, which provides advice and counsel and performs enterprise risk management for Alliance operations
• Directs the Legal Services Department, acts as a leader and subject matter expert and provides direction and advice on legal and administrative contracting issues and overall business operations
• Manages and coordinates litigation and disputes related to Alliance operations
• Directs health plan administrative contracting, including maintenance of agreements and negotiation and re-negotiation of contracts in coordination with Alliance staff and external counsel
• Directs, manages, and supervises Legal Services Department staff

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Legal Services Department plays a central role in the Alliance’s legal and contractual operations. Our team oversees the full contract lifecycle from initial drafting through execution, amendment, and close‑out, and provides legal counsel to leadership and staff on operational matters, strategic initiatives, and issues involving legal and regulatory compliance.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• A leader who mentors and empowers staff, cultivates subject‑matter expertise, and supports autonomy while maintaining professional standards and accountability.
• Transactional and advisory‑focused attorney skilled in contracting best practices, negotiation, and risk assessment, with solid healthcare experience and a working understanding of litigation posture and procedures.
• Strategic operator who can define the department’s vision, assess gaps, design structures and workflows, and implement effective processes and tools.
• Practical process improver who takes a measured approach to change, brings structure to legal work, and supports streamlined, well‑coordinated contracting and advice and counsel work.
• Collaborative influencer who builds strong cross‑department relationships, leads change management, and fosters a service‑oriented, stakeholder‑focused culture.
• Sound decision‑maker with strong judgment, able to balance big‑picture strategy with detail awareness, adapt to business needs, and articulate risk tolerance.
• Knowledgeable in public‑entity and healthcare regulations, including Medi‑Cal/Medicare requirements, California public entity laws, and regulatory alignment expectations.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

To read the full position description and list of requirements, click here.

• Knowledge of:

  • Health care laws
  • Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act and Regulations, Affordable Care Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Stark Law, and False Claims Act
  • Medi-Cal, Medicaid, and Medicare rules, requirements, and regulations
  • State regulatory agencies, such as DHCS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC)
  • Principles and practices of operational oversight and program and project management
  • Principles and practices of contract negotiation and review

• Ability to:

  • Provide prudent legal recommendations and counsel to executive team members and Board members
  • Develop legal strategies and objectives based upon analysis of relevant information and resources, and make recommendations
  • Perform risk assessment, anticipate and respond to risks, and provide risk mitigation support
  • Provide leadership, facilitate meetings, and partner with and guide managers and employees in the resolution of issues
  • Act as a technical resource and explain complex laws, regulations, processes, and programs related to areas of responsibility
  • Review and assess overall department function, core work, goals, and structure, develop and implement short- and long-term planning to achieve strategic plans, and complete an annual department assessment
  • Direct, manage, supervise, mentor, train and evaluate the work of staff

• Education and Experience:

  • Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, admitted to and in good standing with the State Bar of California, and possession of an active license to practice law in California
  • A minimum of seven years of experience as a practicing health care attorney performing research and analysis of legal, statutory, and regulatory information, which included a minimum of five years of management level experience and a minimum of three years of experience related to health plan operations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be qualifying

OTHER INFORMATION

• We are in a hybrid work environment and we anticipate that the interview process will take place remotely via Microsoft Teams.
• While some staff may work full telecommuting schedules, attendance at quarterly company-wide events or department meetings will be expected.
• In-office or in-community presence may be required for some positions and is dependent on business need. Details about this can be reviewed during the interview process.

COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The hiring ranges below represent a good‑faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this role upon hire and are not the full compensation ranges. Employees typically have opportunities for growth within the full compensation range over time based on performance and merit. Final compensation will be determined by our compensation philosophy, analysis of the selected candidate’s qualifications (direct or transferable experience related to the position, education, or training), as well as other factors (internal equity, market factors, and geographic location).

The applicable salary ranges are based on work location and are aligned to a zone according to the cost of labor in your area. All ranges are subject to change in the future. We are happy to provide the full compensation range for the role, answer any questions that you have, or share the applicable pay zone for your location if it’s not one of the typical areas included below. You can reach out to [email protected], and a member from our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch.

Typical areas in Zone 1: Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties, Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego areas

Typical areas in Zone 2: Mariposa and Merced Counties, Fresno area, Bakersfield, Eastern California, San Luis Obispo area, and the Central Valley (except Sacramento)

Zone 1 (Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz)

$250,000—$300,000 USD

Zone 2 (Mariposa and Merced)

$230,000—$280,000 USD

OUR BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Ample Paid Time Off
• 12 Paid Holidays per year
• 401(a) Retirement Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Robust Health and Wellness Program
• Onsite EV Charging Stations
• And many more

ABOUT US

We are a group of over 500 dedicated employees, committed to our mission of providing accessible, quality health care that is guided by local innovation. We feel that our work is bigger than ourselves. We leave work each day knowing that we made a difference in the community around us.

The Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. We are an E-Verify participating employer

Join us at Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance) is an award-winning regional Medi-Cal managed care plan that provides health insurance for children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in Mariposa, Merced, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. We currently serve more than 418,000 members. To learn more about us, take a look at our Fact Sheet.

At this time the Alliance does not provide any type of sponsorship. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time, ongoing basis without current or future needs for any type of employer supported or provided sponsorship.