Vice President of Legal

Job Details: Level: Senior, Job Location: ESP Executive Offices - Dallas, TX, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Graduate Degree, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Travel Percentage: None, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Executive, ABOUT ENT SPECIALTY PARTNERS   ENT Specialty Partners (ESP) provides unparalleled strategic, financial, and operational support to partnering ear, nose, and throat practices. We collaborate with clinics that provide a wide range of services in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery, audiology, allergy, facial plastic surgery, pulmonology, and physical therapy. Guided by excellence, service, principles, and innovation, ESP aims to become the foremost provider of ENT services in the country. Our dynamic team prioritizes people and fosters a collaborative community of healthcare professionals delivering exceptional employee and patient care.    JOB DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW  As the Vice President of Legal at ESP, you will serve as the company’s primary in house legal leader within a healthcare Management Services Organization (MSO), acting as the go to resource for legal questions across the enterprise and the main liaison with external counsel. This role will internalize critical legal, compliance, and governance responsibilities that are currently handled externally, while providing strategic and day to day legal support to a fast growing healthcare platform.  Operating at a VP level, this individual will partner closely with executive leadership and the Board, bringing practical healthcare legal expertise, sound judgment, and a hands on approach.     KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  Primary Legal Leadership  Serve as the principal internal legal advisor across corporate, employment, compliance, contracting, and regulatory matters in a healthcare MSO environment  Act as the primary point of contact for outside counsel, overseeing legal matters, setting priorities, and driving efficiency  Lead and support legal diligence efforts related to strategic initiatives, acquisitions, and growth activities common to healthcare services organizations  Healthcare, Employment & HR Related Legal Matters  Lead in all legal matters related to HR, including policies, employee relations issues, investigations, employment law compliance, and risk mitigation within a regulated healthcare context  Provide legal advice on compensation structures, incentive plans, and employment related regulatory considerations specific to healthcare organizations  Physician Contracting  Lead oversight of physician contracting, ensuring agreements are compliant with healthcare regulations and aligned with MSO and practice needs  Corporate Governance & Board Support  Support quarterly Board meetings (remote attendance), including governance guidance, preparation, and documentation  Assume responsibilities currently handled externally, including preparation of Board minutes and maintenance of governance records  Corporate Entity Management  Oversee legal entity structures across the MSO, including filings and ongoing compliance requirements  Ensure accuracy, consistency, and proper maintenance of all corporate records and entity documentation  Compliance Oversight  Provide leadership and oversight of the compliance function, with two direct reports (Senior Manager of Compliance and an Auditor)  Partner closely with compliance leadership to ensure adherence to healthcare laws and regulations, proactive risk identification, and remediation  Qualifications: QUALIFICATIONS:  Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.  Active state bar admission in the State of Texas (or the state of residence).  8-15+ years of total legal experience (some in-house experience required)  Prior legal experience within a healthcare organization, MSO, healthcare services platform, or healthcare-focused environment.   Experience with commercial contracts, corporate governance, M&A transactions, regulatory (healthcare services preferred).  Experience advising executives, board members and operating across cross-functional teams (HR, Finance, Operations).  Extensive experience advising in healthcare organizations on regulatory compliance, employment law, and organizational risk management with a deep knowledge of applicable federal and state healthcare laws.   Strong experience with legal entity structuring, corporate governance, and regulatory filings across multi-entity organizations.  Proven ability to manage outside counsel and partner effectively with executive leadership on complex legal issues and strategic matters.     SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:  Strong expertise in corporate law, governance, and regulatory compliance with complex, multi-entity organization.  Vast knowledge of healthcare regulatory frameworks, employment law, and enterprise risk management.  Proven ability to interpret and apply multi-jurisdictional legal requirements and advise executive leadership on high-impact legal strategies.  Strong drafting, negotiation, and contract management skills across commercial and corporate agreements.   Ability to assess legal risk and provide clear, actionable guidance under deadlines.   Excellent communication, strong judgment, discretion, executive presence, and influence on stakeholders.     WORK ENVIRONMENT:  Full-time, remote role  Occasional travel may be required for key legal or executive matters and integrations.    EMPLOYEE BENEFITS   We strive to be an employer of choice with competitive compensation, employee benefits, strong leadership, meaningful careers, developing and dynamic career opportunities, with an engaging, exciting company culture.   ESP provides comprehensive benefits packages to its employees, including, but not limited to, multiple choice plans for medical, dental, vision insurance, STD/LTD disability, life, accident, indemnity, legal services, EAP, retirement plans, paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and much more.