Counsel

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. We have more than 6,400 employees and associates in our partner dental practices and operate nationwide.

Visit our website to discover how Sun Life is making life brighter for our customers, partners and communities.

Sun Life embraces a hybrid work model that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility of virtual work.

The opportunity:

Sun Life's U.S. Law Department is seeking an experienced attorney with a health care contracting background to join its dental practice group. The attorney in this role will work with both internal business partners and external clients and stakeholders to support Sun Life's growing U.S. dental business unit. This position requires a solid understanding of health plans and health insurance, state health insurance exchanges, familiarity with Medicaid and Medicare Advantage programs and related compliance issues, strong contract drafting & negotiation skills, and excellent business judgment. In addition to supporting client contracting, this attorney will advise the business on dental and vision provider network matters (including provider contracting, regulatory compliance, network leasing arrangements, credentialing, and dispute management). The role will also periodically support the business unit's vendor contracting and procurement functions, including contracting and negotiation with technology and SaaS vendors.

How you will contribute:

Working closely with and taking direction from the managing AVP & Senior Counsel, the essential functions of this role include:

• Draft, review, revise, and negotiate complex dental and vision services agreements with health plan clients, primarily in Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare Advantage programs

• Partner with sales teams to capture new business and retain existing clients in competitive procurements; advise on legal, contractual, licensure, and other regulatory aspects of requests for proposals (RFPs) and other competitive solicitations

• Advise the U.S. Dental business unit on compliance and regulatory matters related to their dental & vision benefits plans and services, including both commercial dental and vision benefits, as well as government programs such as Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, CHIP, and Affordable Care Act plans offered on state health insurance exchanges

• Advise the Provider Engagement teams on dental and vision provider agreements, revisions and amendments, network leasing agreements, and associated regulatory and compliance issues

• Assist and advise the provider credentialing teams with provider credentialing processes, issues, and disputes, including Peer Review and Appeals proceedings

• Assist and advise the procurement and vendor management teams on vendor sourcing, negotiation, contracting, and risk management; draft, review, revise and negotiate third party vendor agreements, including technology services and SaaS contracts

• Partner with government relations and compliance colleagues to analyze and implement new or proposed laws or regulations that impact the dental business

• Consult with and manage outside counsel as necessary to support business activities, in a cost-effective manner

• Other legal duties as needed or required to support other aspects of the Sun Life U.S. Dental and Vision business

What you will bring with you:

• J.D. from an accredited law school and member in good standing of at least one state bar.

• Five (5) or more years of legal experience as an attorney in a law firm and/or in-house counsel setting, some of which must involve advising clients in the health plan or health insurance space

• Strong understanding of government health care programs and related compliance issues, including state Medicaid and Medicare Advantage organizations

• Ability to conduct legal research on complex state & federal regulatory matters and provide practical, digestible advice for business and compliance partners

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex health care contracting negotiations, including efficient review and redlining of contract documents, amendments, and exhibits; and an ability to work with internal business partners to identify, negotiate, and draft around critical issues and risks

• A desire to partner with business leaders to understand and help execute on enterprise goals; willingness to explore creative solutions to legal issues that align with the company's risk appetite

• A business-oriented and collaborative approach to contract negotiation, with a demonstrated ability to mitigate risk and achieve mutual business goals

• Highly desirable but not required: Prior experience in dental or vision benefits; and/or state and federal government contracting and procurement, and/or HIPAA Privacy Rule & privacy law issues

• Must be comfortable with a team-oriented legal department, where colleagues often share ideas, best practices, and pinch-hit for one another when necessary

• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, handle multiple contract negotiations simultaneously, and prioritize tasks effectively

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to communicate succinctly and regularly with manager regarding key issues, risks, and recommendations

• Excellent attention to detail, and strong written and oral communication skills

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We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees feel they belong, are supported and empowered to thrive. We are dedicated to building teams with varied experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and ideas that benefit our colleagues, clients, and the communities where we operate. We encourage applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Life is brighter when you work at Sun Life

At Sun Life, we prioritize your well-being with comprehensive benefits, including generous vacation and sick time, market-leading paid family, parental and adoption leave, medical coverage, company paid life and AD&D insurance, disability programs and a partially paid sabbatical program. Plan for your future with our 401(k) employer match, stock purchase options and an employer-funded retirement account. Enjoy a flexible, inclusive and collaborative work environment that supports career growth. We're proud to be recognized in our communities as a top employer. Proudly Great Place to Work Certified in Canada and the U.S., we've also been recognized as a "Top 10" employer by the Boston Globe's "Top Places to Work" for two years in a row. Visit our website to learn more about our benefits and recognition within our communities.

We will make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of otherwise-qualified individuals with disabilities or special disabled veterans, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Please email thebrightside@sunlife.comto request an accommodation.

For applicants residing in California, please read our employee California Privacy Policy and Notice.

We do not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.

Sun Life will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including applicable fair chance ordinances.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.