Director, Legal Operations & Legal Counsel - Houston, TX

Company Overview

Empower is a visionary healthcare company committed to providing quality, affordable medication to millions of patients across the nation. We hold the distinguished position of being the largest 503A compounding pharmacy and FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facility in the country serving the functional medicine markets.

What sets us apart is our relentless focus on three core values: People, Quality and Service. Our dedicated team of professionals collaboratively works to break new ground in the fields of manufacturing, distribution and quality control, providing a uniquely integrated approach to healthcare. Leveraging our vertical integration of the pharmaceutical supply chain, state-of-the-art technology, and a commitment to excellence, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in medication accessibility and affordability.

You're not just starting a job; you're joining a mission. We believe in empowering our team to innovate, grow, and drive real change in the healthcare industry. If you're a forward-thinker who thrives in a fast-paced, transformative environment, Empower is the place for you. Here, you'll be encouraged to share your ideas, expand your skill set, and contribute to projects that genuinely make a difference. We prioritize the well-being of our team members, and we offer a supportive and engaging workplace where your contributions are not just recognized but celebrated.

Let's revolutionize healthcare, together. Join us and be a part of something extraordinary.

Position Summary

The Legal Operations and Legal Counsel Director role at Empower is pivotal in ensuring our legal framework is robust, efficient, and strategically aligned with our mission to provide innovative medications. This position is integral to upholding our values of people, quality, service, and innovation. You will assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in managing the operations, policy development, and growth of Empower Pharmacy's Legal Department. Your expertise will influence the cost-optimization, efficiency, and growth strategy of Empower Pharmacy's Legal Department.

In this critical role, you will supervise the Legal Department's operations and provide necessary updates to Legal Department leadership. Your work will ensure that the Legal Department is improving its performance, managing costs, and processing its workload effectively and efficiently. Moreover, this role is responsible for providing expert legal advice and strategic updates to the General Counsel, contributing to litigation and investigation matters, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and legal standards. This includes managing the discovery process, reviewing company policies in light of legal developments, and engaging in a broad spectrum of legal tasks ranging from regulatory compliance to corporate governance and cybersecurity.

If you have a profound understanding of legal operations, litigation processes, and regulatory compliance, with the ability to handle multiple fields of responsibility simultaneously, we invite you to apply today. Join Empower and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in healthcare. Here, your work will not only be challenging and enriching but also contribute to our mission of expanding access to quality, affordable medication. Your expertise in legal operations will not only enhance our capabilities but also drive us closer to our vision of a healthier future for all.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports and advises the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on active matter metrics, litigation management, Insider Risk Program, Legal Department scaling, contract life-cycle management, paralegal program, outside counsel efforts, and budgeting.
• Receives, delegates, and streamlines incoming matter requests from the Executive Leadership Team and internal departments via the matter management system to the appropriate Legal Counsel based upon area of expertise and matter case load.
• Manages the Insider Risk Program and Insider Risk Program Manager in coordination with the Director of Information Technology Operations & Security and the Legal Department to conduct necessary risk mitigation, detection, benchmarking, and training.
• Coordinates with General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel and Talent Acquisition to identify key positions and schedule associated interviews to support the Legal Department's scaling efforts.
• Supervises the Contract Manager in contract life-cycle management, third-party diligence, and related communications.
• Manages outside counsel efforts, Outside Counsel Guideline compliance, legal department invoices, and budgeting.
• Manages paralegals in executing Legal projects and providing inter-departmental support.
• Assists and supports the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in managing litigation and investigation matters involving Empower Pharmacy.
• Provides expert and strategic legal updates and advice to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on litigation and associated risks.
• Contributes to litigation proceedings and other necessary legal activities as needed.
• Coordinates and assists Empower's Legal Team as necessary for investigations, anticipated or ongoing litigation, or other legal matters.
• Coordinates and assists Empower's Government Affairs Department and Compliance Department as needed.
• Assists with litigation and arbitration strategies.
• Oversees discovery process.
• Reviews Empower policies based on potential and ongoing litigation and forthcoming changes in the law and regulations.
• Engages comprehensively in legal tasks and matters including but not limited to regulatory/compliance, contracts/agreements, labor & employment, immigration, corporate governance, mergers & acquisitions, privacy, and cybersecurity.
• Measures Legal Department performance, spend, impact, and value.
• Supervises and develops Legal Department Standard Operating Procedures.
• Manages legal technology, automation, form contracts, and end-user training and adoption.
• Fosters a collaborative and innovative work environment, encouraging accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Provides mentorship and professional development opportunities to team members, supporting their growth and success within the organization.
• Evaluates employee performance, provides feedback and coaching as needed. Prepares performance evaluations for employees.
• Manages Summer Intern and Part-Time Clerk programs, outreach, and associated events.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess the skills above and be able to perform each essential responsibility outlined above effectively. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and listen. The employee is often required to remain in a stationary position for a significant amount of the workday and frequently use their hands and fingers to handle or feel to access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The employee is regularly required to move about the office and around the corporate campus. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Knowledge and Skills

• Familiarity with matter management tools is preferred.
• Knowledge of general corporate matters preferred.
• Excellent Business acumen and judgment.
• Ability to multi-task various projects and responsibilities.
• Ability to work highly independently/autonomously with little to no supervision.
• Ability to work on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge.
• Ability to act in a leadership role for legal project/work groups.

Key Competencies

• Customer Focus: Ability to build strong customer relationships and deliver customer centric solutions.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Know the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Collaborates: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Resourcefulness: Secures and deploys resources effectively and efficiently.
• Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quality, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments and objectives.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match shifting demands of different situations.
• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

Experience and Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required.
• Minimum of 10 years' relevant legal experience.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in managing legal support staff.
• Previous experience managing, evaluating, and directing the work of others.

Employee Benefits, Health, and Wellness

• No-Cost Medication: Get your prescribed compounded medications at no cost, ensuring your health without the financial burden.
• Onsite Health & Wellness - IV Therapy Drips: Rejuvenate with complimentary onsite IV Therapy drips, enhancing your well-being and energy levels.
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Options: Choose from three medical plans tailored to your needs, plus options for dental and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Telehealth visits: Access board-certified Doctors anytime, anywhere for you and your family.
• Paid & Volunteer Time Off: Enjoy paid time off for personal pursuits and contribute to causes you care about with volunteer time off.
• Paid Holidays (8 scheduled; 2 floating): Celebrate with eight scheduled holidays and two floating holidays, giving you flexibility and time for personal traditions.
• Life & AD&D Coverage: Secure your and your family's financial future with life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
• FSA (Flexible Spending Account): Manage healthcare expenses smartly with pre-tax dollars in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• 401K Dollar-for-Dollar Up to 4%: Invest in your future with our 401K plan, featuring a dollar-for-dollar match up to 4%.
• Company Paid Long-Term Disability: Provided at no cost, which replaces 60% of your income if you become disabled for a long period of time.
• Flexible Schedules: Balance work and life seamlessly with our flexible scheduling options.
• Rewards & Recognition Program: Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed - enjoy rewards and recognition beyond your paycheck.

Additional Voluntary Benefits

• Accident Insurance: Pays a lump sum benefit to help cover expenses following an accidental injury.
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance: Enhance your peace of mind with supplemental hospital insurance for unexpected stays.
• Critical Illness: Protect your finances from the expenses of a serious health issue.
• Short-Term Disability: Protect your income during illness or injury with short-term disability coverage.
• Supplemental Life & AD&D: Add an extra layer of financial protection for you and your loved ones with supplemental life and AD&D coverage.
• Legal Services: Access professional legal assistance to address concerns confidently.
• Identity Theft Protection: Safeguard your identity and finances with our identity theft protection benefit.
• Pet Insurance: Care for your furry family members with our pet insurance coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling and support services for a holistic approach to your well-being.