Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel

About Cardea Health:

Cardea Health is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate health care to marginalized populations. Our mission is to create and support programs that protect the health and autonomy of vulnerable individuals and promote equity and social justice to improve the well-being of our entire community. We provide medical support to populations that experience homelessness.

At Cardea, we are dedicated to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity and actively seeks to include underrepresented communities. We believe that diversity drives innovation and fosters a more dynamic, inclusive, and productive work environment. We actively encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply for our open positions. We value your unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, and we are committed to providing equitable opportunities for growth and advancement. Join us in building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our society and let's make a positive impact together.

Primary Work Location:

This is a hybrid position based in the Bay Area. Team members in hybrid roles split their time between remote work and in-person collaboration. In-person work may take place at any of our Bay Area locations, depending on team needs, client services, or program priorities. Hybrid roles are designed to support flexibility while maintaining strong, mission-driven connections across teams and sites. The frequency of in-person work varies by week depending on the needs of our programs.

Job Summary:

The Chief Administrative Officer / General Counsel (CAO/GC) serves as a key member of Cardea Health’s executive leadership team, providing strategic oversight and hands-on management of the organization’s legal, compliance, risk, and administrative functions. This role ensures the organization’s operations and governance remain compliant, ethical, and aligned with Cardea Health’s mission and regulatory obligations as a healthcare and nonprofit entity.

The CAO/GC will serve as the organization’s primary in-house legal advisor and compliance officer, working closely with external counsel, consultants, and internal leaders to anticipate risk, shape policy, and promote sound organizational practices.

Compliance Oversight

• Oversee organizational compliance across OSHA, HR, corporate, healthcare, and data protection domains.

• Lead policy development and training to ensure organization-wide adherence to regulatory requirements.

• Partner with external compliance consultants to monitor and maintain Home Health Agency (HHA) licensure and related certifications.

Legal Management

• Serve as the organization’s in-house legal counsel.

• Manage litigation and relationships with external legal counsel.

• Provide advice on employment law, corporate governance, contracts, and healthcare compliance matters.

• Maintain awareness of legislative and regulatory changes impacting Cardea Health’s operations.

Insurance Administration

• Manage and renew all organizational insurance programs, including:

• Professional and general liability

• Property

• Workers’ compensation

• Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)

• Directors & Officers (D&O) coverage

• Ensure adequate risk coverage and coordinate claims management as needed.

Corporate Governance and Formation

• Maintain the organization’s nonprofit and corporate status, ensuring timely filings and board documentation.

• Support the CEO and Board of Directors in governance and compliance matters, including policy updates and meeting preparation.

Contracting and Procurement

• Review, negotiate, and occasionally draft service agreements, vendor contracts, and MOUs.

• Support internal departments in developing standardized contract templates and workflows.

Risk Management

• Identify and assess key areas of organizational risk, including operational, legal, reputational, and financial risks.

• Develop and advise on risk mitigation strategies, reporting mechanisms, and crisis response planning.

Minimum Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

• Licensure: Active member in good standing with the California State Bar or eligible for registration as in-house counsel in California.

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive legal experience, including at least 3 years in a senior legal, compliance, or risk management role.

• Direct experience advising on corporate governance, contracts, and employment law matters.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Working knowledge of California employment law, OSHA, HIPAA, and data protection regulations.

• Demonstrated ability to manage external counsel, insurance programs, and organizational compliance systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly to non-legal stakeholders.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

Experience:

• 10+ years of legal experience, including 5+ years in a general counsel, chief compliance officer, or executive administrative role.

• Experience within healthcare, nonprofit, or other regulated industries.

• Proven track record managing multi-line insurance portfolios (e.g., D&O, EPLI, workers’ comp, professional liability).

• Familiarity with Home Health Agency (HHA) licensure, regulatory reporting, and accreditation standards.

Leadership:

• Demonstrated success in building or leading compliance and risk management programs.

• Experience advising boards of directors and supporting governance best practices.

Other Attributes:

• Strategic, solutions-oriented mindset with ability to anticipate organizational risk.

• Strong ethical judgment, diplomacy, and alignment with Cardea Health’s mission and values

Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinker with ability to balance legal risk and operational needs.

• Trusted advisor and collaborative leader.

• Deep understanding of compliance frameworks applicable to healthcare and nonprofit entities.

• Strong ethical grounding and professional integrity.

• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities in a fast-moving, mission-driven environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Occasional sitting or stationary work

• Frequent standing, walking, kneeling, stooping, and ascending stairs

• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 20 lbs

• Frequent pushing and pulling

• Frequent reaching high, low, and level

Work Environment:

• Hybrid role. When In-person, onsite at a supportive housing facility or at our small office space.

Benefits:

• Employees in this role may be eligible for a range of benefits, including

• Employer-supported medical,

• Access to dental and vision insurance,

• Paid vacation and sick time,

• Retirement plan (401k) participation with a company match,

• Commuter benefits,

• Long Term Disability,

• Life Insurance

• Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on hours worked per week and length of employment.

• Specific details are provided in the benefits guide and are subject to change

Cardea Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Cardea Health is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability, citizenship or veteran status. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the state of California and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities for this role. Activities, duties, or responsibilities may change, or a new job description may be assigned at any time with or without notice.