Vice President of Legal in Scottsdale, Arizona at Cogir Senior Living

THE COMPANY

Cogir Senior Living, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, proudly oversees a network of senior living communities spanning 11 states nationwide. As a trusted leader in senior housing, we are dedicated to growth while maintaining our commitment to exceptional care for our residents and a supportive, growth-focused environment for our team members.

At Cogir, our culture is rooted in the core values of human focus, creativity, and excellence, which inspire us to continuously improve and achieve excellence in all we do. Join us in our mission to enrich the lives of our residents while building a meaningful and fulfilling career!

WHAT WE OFFER

• Base Salary and Bonus Potential.
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
• 401K with company match.
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Leave.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Generous Employee Referral Program and more.

POSITION SUMMARY

The VP, Legal will report to the General Counsel in Montreal, with a dotted line to the COO in Phoenix, and will work in close partnership with the CEO, Head of HR, and VP of Employee Relations. Cogir operates in 11 states with more than 7,500 employees and continues to grow rapidly. This role will support the business across a broad range of legal matters, including contracting, HR-related issues, litigation and risk management, regulatory compliance, and general corporate matters. The VP, Legal will collaborate closely with HR leadership, operations, and the executive team to help manage risk, provide practical legal guidance, and support the company’s ongoing growth.

SCOPE OF WORK (Approximate Allocation):

• 35% – Commercial and contract management
• 30% – HR legal support (employee relations, employment risk, policies)
• 15% – Litigation (arbitrations, class actions, settlements, defense strategies)
• 10% – Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements (senior living & general compliance)
• 10% – Corporate and other matters

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Draft, review, and support negotiation of a wide range of contracts and subcontracts, including those with commercial partners and service providers across the business.
• Partner with the VP, Employee Relations, and SVP, HR, to provide legal support on employee relations and employment risk matters.
• Collaborate with internal leaders and external counsel on litigation, including class actions, arbitrations, proceedings, and settlements.
• Expected to help shape strategy with a more assertive defense posture in line with Cogir’s philosophy, while balancing risk and business priorities.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of policies and procedures to support the effective delivery of legal services across the organization.
• Provide guidance on legal and regulatory compliance matters related to senior living and broader service operations.
• Work closely with leadership to provide practical, business-focused legal advice that supports operations and enables growth.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in Arizona or eligibility for multi-state practice.
• 7+ years of legal experience, with a strong focus on healthcare regulations, real estate transactions, and corporate governance.
• Familiarity with HR Law.
• Experience in real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate structuring within the senior living or healthcare industries.
• Strong background in contract law, risk management, and litigation oversight.
• Proven ability to manage multi-state legal and regulatory challenges in a fast-growing organization.
• Corporate/in-house background.
• Nimble, flexible, and experienced working in operational, service-oriented businesses. Able to navigate processes, reporting structures, and collaborate across leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiar with federal and state senior living regulations, including licensing, compliance, and healthcare laws.
• Experience working with senior living, healthcare, or long-term care organizations.
• Familiarity with Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement structures and regulatory compliance.
• Expertise in real estate and land use laws related to senior living developments.