Senior Counsel, Commercial
Headway · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $280,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Lead payer contracting strategy and negotiations.
- Build scalable legal and payer systems.
- Review and negotiate health plan agreements.
- Partner with outside counsel on legal strategies.
- This is a remote, full-time role.
About the role
About Headway
1 in 4 people in the US have a treatable mental health condition, but most providers don't accept insurance, making therapy too expensive for most people. Headway’s mission is to fix this by building a new mental healthcare system everyone can access. We started by solving the biggest barrier to care: insurance. The admin work - credentialing, claims, payment reconciliation - is a nightmare. We've automated that.
But we're going further. Over 75,000 providers across all 50 states run their practice on our software, serving over 1 million patients. We are building the best tools for therapists to run their entire practice, reimagining the experience of finding a therapist, and investing in the platform foundations to enable this at scale. We aren't just a billing layer; we are becoming the platform where care actually happens.
We're a Series D company with $325M+ in funding (a16z, Accel, Spark Capital, etc.), looking for exceptional people to help us achieve this mission. We want your time here to be the most meaningful experience of your career. Join us, and help change mental healthcare for the better.
About the Role
As Senior Counsel, Commercial, you will be the Legal partner to Headway’s best-in-class Payer contracting team, negotiating innovative and high-impact partnerships with the nation’s leading health plans. You will also be responsible for building out systems and processes that will allow the Legal and Payer teams to partner most effectively. This is a unique opportunity to join a mission-driven healthcare technology company, work alongside passionate and talented colleagues, and grow in an environment where Legal is viewed as a strategic partner.
You Will
- Own our payer contracting strategy, aligning business interests with legal terms and regulations
- Build for scale and implement systems to land high-value payer contracts efficiently
- Review and negotiate the terms of Headway’s health plan agreements
- Partner with outside counsel on cutting-edge approaches to unlock value and mitigate risk
You’d Be a Great Fit If
- You have 5+ years of post-bar admittance legal experience with a deep understanding of healthcare contracting between payers and providers
- You have meaningful in-house experience in a fast-paced, high-growth start-up environment
- You have a deep ability to build relationships and consensus with colleagues amid competing views and priorities
- You have a builder’s mindset, and are energized by enhancing operational structure
- You have a J.D. from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing required (including ability to register as NY in-house counsel)
Key skills/competency
- Senior Counsel
- Commercial Law
- Payer Contracting
- Healthcare Law
- Negotiation
- Legal Strategy
- Risk Mitigation
- Contract Management
- Startup Experience
- Legal Operations
Skills & topics
- Senior Counsel
- Commercial Law
- Healthcare Contracting
- Legal Counsel
- Payer Agreements
- In-house Counsel
- Startup Legal
- Contract Negotiation
- Legal Operations
- JD
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight specific experience in healthcare contracting and startup environments. Quantify achievements in payer negotiations and system building.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Express your passion for Headway's mission and clearly articulate how your legal expertise aligns with the Senior Counsel, Commercial role.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience with complex contract negotiations, building legal processes, and collaborating with business teams.
- Showcase your builder mindset: Emphasize your ability to create and improve operational structures within legal and compliance functions.
- Research Headway's values: Understand their commitment to accessible mental healthcare and how legal contributes strategically to their mission.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for the Senior Commercial Counsel role at Headway?
- The Senior Commercial Counsel will own the payer contracting strategy, negotiate health plan agreements, build scalable systems for contract management, and collaborate with outside counsel. This role is crucial for supporting Headway's mission of making mental healthcare accessible.
- What qualifications are essential for a Senior Commercial Counsel candidate at Headway?
- Essential qualifications include 5+ years of post-bar legal experience with a strong focus on healthcare payer-provider contracting, in-house experience in a high-growth startup, a builder's mindset, and a J.D. with active bar membership.
- What is Headway's mission and how does the legal team contribute?
- Headway's mission is to build a new mental healthcare system that everyone can access by fixing insurance barriers. The legal team, particularly the Senior Commercial Counsel, acts as a strategic partner, ensuring business interests align with legal terms and regulations in high-impact partnerships.
- How does Headway support employee growth and development for its legal team?
- Headway emphasizes a culture where Legal is seen as a strategic partner and offers training and professional development opportunities. The role provides a unique chance to grow in a mission-driven environment and shape legal processes for scale.
- What is the compensation and benefits package for the Senior Commercial Counsel position?
- The role offers a base pay range of $179,200 - $280,000, potential equity grants, comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision), HSA/FSA, 401K, and other perks like a WFH stipend and parental leave.
- Is the Senior Commercial Counsel role at Headway remote, hybrid, or on-site?
- The job description implies a remote work arrangement, as it mentions a 'Work-from-Home Stipend' and the role is described as being in a 'fast-paced, high-growth start-up environment' where remote work is common.
- What kind of company culture can I expect at Headway as a Senior Commercial Counsel?
- Headway fosters a mission-driven culture focused on improving mental healthcare access. They value collaboration, a 'builder's mindset,' and view legal as a strategic partner. They are also committed to diversity and inclusion.
- How does Headway approach diversity and inclusion for legal roles like Senior Commercial Counsel?
- Headway is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and actively seeks a diverse team reflecting various backgrounds and experiences. They provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the application and interview process.