Assistant General Counsel II - Contracts

Job Summary

At Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, we work to improve oral health through benefit plans, advocacy, and community support. We are one of the largest dental plan administrators in the country and part of the Delta Dental Plans Association, which operates two of the largest dental networks in the nation. As an Assistant General Counsel II - Contracts, you will support the company’s contracting and contract management efforts.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Supports the company’s information technology development, management, and contracting efforts, including but not limited to: reviews, drafts, and negotiates contracts for the company and its affiliates, including group benefit contracts, government program contracts, agency agreements, independent contractor agreements, consulting agreements, research agreements, provider agreements, marketing agreements, leases, authorizations, confidentiality agreements, waivers, releases, information technology-related contracts, and vendor contracts.
• Manages/updates template agreements; identifies issues and crafts and implements resolutions; reviews solicitations and prepares responses for proposals, bids, and contract modifications; prepares requests for proposals.
• Analyzes contract requirements, special provisions, terms and conditions to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, laws, regulations, corporate policies, and business unit procedures; communicates contract policy and practice to internal business teams; prepares and administers correspondence, negotiation memoranda, and other contract documentation; prepares, organizes, and maintains contract records and files documenting contract performance and compliance; conducts research to support the contract management function and identifies contracting trends; works with internal or external business teams on issues and developments relative to assigned contracts; analyzes new laws, regulations, and contract trends for potential impact on business goals and objectives; and participates in the development of complex business alliances and partnering agreements.
• Provides legal services and counsel on other issues associated with the company's activities as needed.
• Examines records, conducts investigations, and consults with department managers, employees, customers, agents, vendors, business partners, and Legal and Compliance Specialists.
• Researches, plans, organizes, and conducts programs, seminars, conferences, and/or presentations for clients and employees to educate on legal matters.
• Drafts legal correspondence and memorandums, and offers legal opinions and advice on legal matters.
• Supports corporate initiatives and provides advice and counsel to the company and its affiliates on a broad range of corporate, commercial, transactional, intellectual property, antitrust, privacy, and security matters.
• Assists with preparing responses to regulatory inquiries and to customer complaints and grievances.
• Supports company litigation efforts and/or assists senior attorneys’ company litigation efforts as necessary, including but not limited to: drafts legal pleadings, motions, memorandums, trial briefs and appeals; represents the company before courts, arbitration panels, and/or administrative agencies; prepares for and/or conducts depositions; participates in settlement negotiations on behalf of the company; drafts/negotiates settlement agreements; and communicates with outside counsel.
• Works on special projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• A Juris Doctor degree, admission to the bar (in good standing) in employed state(s), and a minimum of five years legal experience with two years of relevant contract experience.
• Two years’ experience in the insurance industry preferred.
• Some understanding of the insurance industry and corporate law; meaningful experience with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide variety of contracts including but not limited to group benefit contracts, agency agreements, independent contractor agreements, consulting agreements, research agreements, provider agreements, marketing agreements, leases, authorizations, waivers, releases, and/or vendor contracts; meaningful experience with analyzing and providing advice regarding contract interpretation and compliance; demonstrable critical thinking skills; ability to adapt legal analyses to meet business strategy and needs; ability to effectively work directly with mid-management and department heads; ability to proactively identify potential risks related to practice area(s) when exposed to day-to-day operations or strategies; ability to recognize potential legal risks outside the designated area(s) of expertise and bring in additional subject matter assistance as needed; ability to manage multiple assignments with competing deadlines; the ability to work independently and as part of a team with limited supervision from senior attorneys; and the ability to identify and resolve moderately difficult legal issues using independent judgment.