Deputy University Counsel Health Affairs

Deputy University Counsel for Health Affairs

The University of New Mexico (UNM), based in Albuquerque, NM, seeks an experienced legal professional to serve as Deputy University Counsel for Health Affairs (DUC) within its Health Sciences Center (HSC). The DUC reports to and works under the General Counsel, managing the legal team within the HSC and assisting with legal, strategic, and governance issues across all university operations.

• Manage the legal team in the Health Sciences Center and assist the General Counsel with strategic and governance matters.
• Perform complex legal work for the highest levels of university administration, especially in health law, and represent or oversee the representation of the University in legal proceedings.
• Analyze legal and regulatory issues related to all aspects of the University's healthcare operations, including hospital operations, EMTALA compliance, medical staff self‑governance, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, managed care contracting, physician services contracting, health‑care decision‑making, healthcare information privacy and security, and patient safety and quality.
• Develop and review institutional policies and oversee policy implementation.
• Analyze legal and regulatory issues pertaining to basic and human subjects research, including clinical trials compliance, and animal research, and oversee related contracting.
• Advise management on strategic transaction approaches and deal structures for a growing academic health center operation.
• Develop strategy for and oversee the team of attorneys and staff who manage medical malpractice claims and litigation.
• Coordinate, train, and supervise attorneys and professional staff; perform the duties of the General Counsel in the absence of or upon request from the General Counsel.

• JD from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• Membership in the New Mexico Bar or eligibility for licensure upon hire.
• At least ten (10) years of relevant healthcare law experience supporting hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
• Experience in an academic medical center or integrated health system.
• Strong emotional and social intelligence and the ability to build effective relationships at all organizational levels.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Expertise in hospital operations, compliance, physician alignment or contracting, and health‑related transactions (preferred).

Applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. For fullest consideration, candidates should provide, as two separate documents, a résumé/CV and a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described above. Submit your application via email to Witt Kieffer consultants Werner Boel and Roxana Woudstra at

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

All regular staff positions must successfully pass a pre‑employment background check, which may include a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Refer to  for a definition of Regular Staff.