Corporate Counsel – Compliance & Regulatory

ZEISS•San Diego, CA

6d•Remote

About The Position

How many companies can say they’ve been in business for over 177 years?! Here at ZEISS, we certainly can! As the pioneers of science, ZEISS handles the everchanging environments in a fast-paced world, meeting it with cutting edge of technologies and continuous advancements. ZEISS believes that innovation and technology are the key to a sustainable future and solutions for global change. We have a diverse range of portfolios throughout the ZEISS family in segments like, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, Consumer Markets and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. We are a global company with over 42,000 employees and have over 4,000 in the US and Canada alone! Make a difference, come join the team! What’s the role? We are seeking an experienced Corporate Counsel – Compliance & Regulatory to join our legal team and lead compliance and regulatory initiatives for Carl Zeiss Vision, a global leader in medical devices focused on the vision industry. In addition to corrective lenses, ZEISS develops the technology used by eye care professionals to test, diagnose, and treat eye conditions. Our deep expertise across optics drives the innovation behind vision care products, including Zeiss eyeglasses. In this role, you will ensure adherence to healthcare regulations, data privacy laws, and corporate compliance standards, while also providing legal support across other areas such as employment law, franchising business models, commercial contracting, and other legal matters as needed. The ideal candidate is a proactive, business-oriented attorney who can identify regulatory risks, drive compliance strategy, and serve as a trusted legal partner to business leaders in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a top-tier law school; active license to practice law in the U.S.
5–10 years of legal experience, with a strong focus on healthcare compliance and regulatory matters.
Prior experience at a law firm or in-house legal department focused on medical devices.
Proven expertise in: Anti-Kickback Statute, Sunshine Act, and related state laws. Healthcare fraud and abuse laws and general regulatory enforcement considerations. HIPAA and data privacy laws. FDA regulations for medical devices.
Experience serving as a Compliance Officer and HIPAA Officer preferred.
Strong understanding of risk management and compliance frameworks.
Experience advising on employment and franchising law matters preferred.
Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently in a remote environment and manage multiple priorities.
High degree of integrity and ability to handle sensitive or confidential information.
Experience operating in a matrixed global organization preferred.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with compliance standards and multi-jurisdictional regulations.
Experience managing Sunshine Act and Transparency reporting system in a medical device setting.
Experience in the medical device or healthcare industry.
Knowledge of data security and cybersecurity compliance.
Experience with employment law matters and/or franchise law.
Experience supporting or conducting internal investigations.
Experience drafting SOPs, policies, and compliance governance documentation.
Working knowledge of GDPR or international privacy obligations.

Responsibilities

Advise on compliance and regulatory matters, including healthcare laws and industry standards.
Serve as a subject matter expert on: Anti-Kickback Statute and Sunshine Act compliance. HIPAA and data privacy regulations. FDA regulatory requirements for medical devices.
Develop, implement, and monitor compliance programs and policies.
Act as Compliance Officer and HIPAA Officer for designated business units.
Provide legal guidance on marketing, sales, and distribution practices to ensure compliance.
Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with compliance considerations.
Support development and management of franchise business model, including complying with corporate practice of medicine/optometry and other legal requirements and assist in maintaining compliance records.
Coordinate with outside counsel as needed and monitor changes in franchise law and state optometry related laws impacting the model.
Support other legal topics as needed, including commercial contracts, vendor agreements, and general corporate matters.
Conduct internal audits and risk assessments; manage investigations and remediation plans.
Support the business on employment law matters, including employee relations, policies, and compliance.
Lead or support compliance training initiatives, including developing materials and delivering training to business teams.
Assist with global compliance initiatives and coordinate with international Zeiss legal teams as necessary.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Legal, Regulatory Affairs, Privacy, HR, and Operations).
Stay current on evolving healthcare regulations and industry best practices.
Manage relationships with external counsel and regulatory agencies when required.