Contracts Counsel

State of Oklahoma•Oklahoma City, OK

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Contracts Counsel serves as a primary legal advisor for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority’s procurement and contracting functions. This position is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex agency agreements; ensuring contracts are legally sufficient and compliant with applicable requirements; and protecting the agency from legal, operational, and financial risk. The position works closely with the Professional Services Contracts division, vendor management specialists, procurement personnel, agency leadership, and other internal stakeholders to support the development, execution, administration, and enforcement of agency contracts. The Contracts Counsel ensures contracting activities align with applicable state and federal laws, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements, state procurement requirements, and agency policies and procedures.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
A license to practice law in State of Oklahoma
Membership in Oklahoma Bar Association
Knowledge of contract law, public procurement requirements, administrative law, and applicable state and federal healthcare laws and regulations.
Skill in drafting, reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating complex contracts
Skill in conducting legal research and analysis
Skill in identifying legal, financial, regulatory, and operational risks
Skill in providing clear, practical guidance to legal and non-legal stakeholders
Ability to manage complex and interconnected legal and business considerations
Ability to make sound and timely decisions based on applicable requirements and agency interests
Ability to communicate complex legal issues, risks, and contract terms clearly and effectively
Resume/CV with complete work and education history

Nice To Haves

Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex professional services, healthcare, technology, or government contracts.
Experience advising on public procurement, vendor management, or contract administration matters.
Knowledge of federal Medicaid requirements, CMS guidance, HIPAA, or other healthcare regulatory requirements.
Experience working for a state agency, healthcare organization, managed care organization, or other public-sector entity.
Experience identifying and addressing legal, regulatory, financial, and operational risks in contracts.
Experience advising organizational leadership and non-legal stakeholders on complex legal matters.

Responsibilities

Drafts, reviews, and revises a wide variety of agency agreements, including professional services contracts, information technology and technology-related agreements, memorandums of understanding, data use agreements, and other contractual documents. Ensures contract language accurately reflects the agreement of the parties and protects the agency’s legal and financial interests.
Leads and participates in the negotiation of complex contracts with managed care entities, healthcare providers, vendors, and other state agencies. Evaluates proposed terms, advises agency stakeholders regarding legal risks, and negotiates appropriate terms and protections on behalf of the agency.
Reviews contracts for compliance with applicable federal Medicaid laws and regulations, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements and guidance, state statutes, state purchasing requirements, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Oklahoma Administrative Code, and internal agency policies and procedures.
Conducts comprehensive legal reviews of agency contracting and procurement procedures to determine legal sufficiency. Identifies procedural gaps and areas of legal risk and recommends improvements to strengthen compliance and support an effective contracting process.
Provides ongoing legal counsel and guidance to the Professional Services Contracts division and vendor management specialists regarding contract development, interpretation, administration, and enforcement.
Advises agency staff regarding vendor performance disputes, alleged breaches of contract, unallowable costs, corrective action plans, contractual remedies, and other legal issues arising during contract administration.
Collaborates with procurement personnel, program staff, agency leadership, and other internal stakeholders to address legal questions and resolve contracting issues.
Other duties as assigned.