Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs

Director of In House Legal & Regulatory Affairs (In-house Council) Location: Novi, Michigan (In-Office) Required: Active license to practice law in both Michigan and Ohio, with membership in good standing in each state bar, required Reports To: Chief Executive Officer Position Summary The Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs serves as the organization’s senior legal leader, responsible for overseeing all legal, regulatory, and compliance functions across a multi-state skilled nursing portfolio. This role provides strategic legal guidance to executive leadership, ensures regulatory compliance in highly complex healthcare environments, and mitigates organizational risk across operations in Michigan and Ohio. This position operates as a key business partner to the CEO and executive team, balancing legal risk with operational and financial objectives while supporting a culture of compliance, accountability, and ethical practice. Key Responsibilities Legal Strategy & Counsel Serve as primary legal advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team Provide guidance on healthcare regulations, labor and employment law, contracts, litigation, and risk management Interpret and apply federal and state regulations impacting skilled nursing operations (CMS, LARA, state survey requirements, etc.) Partner with operations and HR leadership on high-risk employee relations, union matters, and investigations Regulatory & Compliance Oversight Lead regulatory compliance strategy across Michigan and Ohio operations Ensure adherence to all federal, state, and local healthcare laws and regulations Oversee response to surveys, audits, and regulatory inquiries Develop and implement policies, procedures, and compliance programs to reduce organizational risk Risk Management & Litigation Manage litigation, claims, and external legal counsel relationships Represent the organization in legal proceedings, including attending depositions, court hearings, mediations, and administrative proceedings Oversee risk mitigation strategies related to patient care, employment practices, and operational exposure Provide guidance on incident investigations and regulatory reporting requirements Contracts & Business Operations Review, draft, and negotiate contracts including vendor agreements, physician agreements, and corporate transactions Support mergers, acquisitions, affiliations, and strategic partnerships Ensure contract compliance and risk alignment with organizational goals Leadership & Collaboration Act as a cross-functional leader supporting HR, Operations, Clinical, and Finance Train and educate leadership teams on regulatory changes, compliance expectations, and legal risk Foster a culture of proactive compliance and accountability across all facilities Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school Active license to practice law in Michigan and Ohio Minimum of 7-10+ years of legal experience, preferably in healthcare, long-term care, or highly regulated environments Deep knowledge of healthcare regulations, labor laws, and compliance frameworks Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership Preferred Experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, or post-acute healthcare Background in regulatory surveys, CMS compliance, and state licensing agencies Registered Nurse (RN) license strongly preferred for clinical/regulatory alignment Core Competencies Executive presence and strategic thinking Strong business acumen with the ability to balance legal risk and operational needs High integrity and sound judgment in complex situations Exceptional communication and influencing skills Ability to operate in a fast-paced, multi-site environment #J-18808-Ljbffr Optalis Healthcare