Deputy General Counsel - Legal, Technology & Strategic Affairs

HealthPartners is hiring a Deputy General Counsel - Legal, Technology & Strategic Affairs. Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer, the Deputy General Counsel serves as a senior member of the Law and Risk Management leadership team and a trusted advisor to executive leadership across HealthPartners and its related entities. This role provides strategic legal counsel, enterprise leadership, and operational oversight in support of the organization's mission, business objectives, and long-term strategic priorities.

The Deputy General Counsel plays a key leadership role in advancing complex enterprise initiatives that require significant cross-functional collaboration, governance, and executive-level coordination. Serving as a strategic partner to the Chief Legal Officer, this individual helps drive organizational priorities through legal operations leadership, enterprise risk management support, contracts and commitments governance, and the successful execution of strategic projects and initiatives.

The role also includes advising on enterprise technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation initiatives, including governance, policy development, regulatory considerations, and risk management matters related to emerging technologies. The Deputy General Counsel collaborates with leaders across the organization to support innovation while promoting sound legal, compliance, and business practices.

In addition, the Deputy General Counsel serves as the managing attorney for the Legal Operations team, providing leadership to one direct report and a broader team through indirect oversight, while also offering dotted-line leadership to attorneys supporting innovation and privacy initiatives. In this role, the Deputy General Counsel helps strengthen the effectiveness of the Legal Department through the development of governance frameworks, operational excellence initiatives, process improvement efforts, and strategic planning activities. This leader is responsible for building and maintaining an effective legal operating model that supports organizational growth, accountability, disciplined execution, and the delivery of high-quality legal services across the enterprise.

Collaborating closely with leaders across the enterprise, the Deputy General Counsel identifies practical, legally sound, and risk-informed solutions to complex business challenges. Success in this role requires exceptional judgment, strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and the ability to influence and drive results in a highly regulated and evolving environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials. Active license to practice law and admission to Minnesota courts within six months of hire or as otherwise approved by the Chief Legal Officer.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible legal experience, including substantial experience in healthcare, insurance, managed care, corporate transactions, employment law, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, technology, or related areas. 
• Five (5) years leading or managing others in an in-house or equivalent setting.
• Expertise in one or more substantive practice areas affecting HealthPartners operations. 
• Demonstrated leadership of large-scale organizational initiatives, enterprise projects, transactions, or transformational efforts in a highly regulated industry.
• Strategic understanding and interest in AI and digital transformation technologies, and the corresponding areas of risk and governance expectations. 
• Demonstrated experience leading legal professionals, multidisciplinary teams, and complex organizational initiatives. 
• Knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to healthcare delivery, managed care, insurance, corporate governance, and highly regulated industries.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to digital transformation technologies, including without limitation AI, specifically in a healthcare setting. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic legal counsel on sophisticated matters with significant organizational impact. 
• Strong organizational, project leadership, communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and relationship management skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and manage long-term planning, budgets, and organizational priorities. 
• Strong technology proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications and legal technology platforms, with the ability to adapt to emerging digital and AI-enabled tools. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven executive leadership experience within an in-house legal function, healthcare organization, or major law firm, with responsibility for shaping legal strategy and advising senior leadership.
• IAPP or AIGP certification Proven ability to lead complex, enterprise-wide initiatives that drive organizational change and strategic outcomes. 
• Experience advising senior leaders on artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, data privacy, and emerging technology risks and opportunities. 
• Understanding of financial management, workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and talent strategies. 
• Demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning, professional development, and staying current on evolving industry trends and best practices.

Hours/Location:

• M-F; Core business hours
• This is a hybrid position requiring onsite work Tuesday through Thursday each week, with additional onsite attendance as needed. Remote work flexibility is available on remaining workdays.

Compensation Range:

• $111.80 - $167.70 hourly
  • Compensation is based on the level and requirements of the role. Pay within our ranges may also be determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills, location, and abilities as well as internal equity. Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation based on role (e.g., shift differential, bonus, sales incentive, productivity pay, etc.).

Responsibilities:

• Legal Counsel and Strategic Support 
  •  Provide in-depth legal analysis and risk-based counsel in multiple areas of concentration within the assigned practice area, consistent with organizational risk tolerance. 
  • Conduct factual investigations, identify legal issues, perform legal research, and develop practical recommendations. 
  • Develop and implement legal strategies and compliant solutions to business challenges in a complex and highly regulated healthcare environment. 
  • Advise organizational leaders on legal, regulatory, operational, and strategic matters affecting HealthPartners and its related entities. 
  •  Support system-wide strategic initiatives on behalf of the Chief Legal Officer and provide legal guidance to interdisciplinary teams and leadership groups. 
  • Lead or support the legal aspects of significant corporate transactions, strategic partnerships, affiliations, and enterprise initiatives.
• Legal Operations and Contract Governance
  • Support legal operations initiatives that improve efficiency, consistency, service delivery, technology utilization, and resource management within the Law and Risk Management Department. 
  • Negotiate, draft, review, and revise sophisticated contracts, agreements, and other legal documents. 
  • Provide oversight and guidance regarding significant organizational commitments, partnerships, vendor relationships, and contractual obligations. 
  • Develop and implement best practices related to contract management, legal workflows, and operational effectiveness.
• Enterprise Risk Management
  • Collaborate with organizational leaders to identify, assess, and manage legal, regulatory, operational, and strategic risks.
  • Support the organization's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework and related risk assessment activities.
  • Assist in evaluating emerging risks and developing mitigation strategies that align with organizational objectives and risk tolerance.
  • Promote a proactive and balanced approach to risk management across the organization.
• Digital, Data, and Artificial Intelligence Initiatives
  • Provide legal guidance related to digital transformation initiatives, technology implementation, data governance, and emerging technologies.
  • Lead and coordinate with legal and compliance professionals within the organization to lead and provide support on its digital and AI initiatives. 
  • Support development of organizational policies, governance structures, and risk management practices related to artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies.
  • Monitor and advise on evolving legal and regulatory requirements affecting digital health, data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI-enabled tools.
  • Partner with operational, technology, compliance, and business leaders to support responsible adoption of technology and innovation.
• Collaboration and Representation
  • Lead or participate in interdisciplinary teams, committees, and organizational initiatives.
  • Work collaboratively across LRMD, other departments, and organizational entities to achieve business and strategic objectives.
  • Represent HealthPartners and its related entities before regulatory agencies, government bodies, tribunals, and other external organizations as appropriate.
  • Manage outside counsel and related legal resources.
  • Develop expertise in additional practice areas and provide support across legal disciplines as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer.
• Leadership and Department Management
  • Exercise supervisory responsibilities, including hiring, performance management, training, promotion, discipline, and staff development consistent with organizational policies.
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture aligned with HealthPartners' values of passion, teamwork, integrity, and respect.
  • Provide leadership and direction for professional staff within the assigned unit.
  • Assist the Chief Legal Officer with staffing, budgeting, department planning, succession planning, and implementation of department best practices.
  • Provide managerial oversight of department operations as requested by, or in the absence of, the Chief Legal Officer.