Associate General Counsel, Legal (US)

Worldwide; Northern (KY); Remote; USD 201,000 - 399,000; Full time

Job summary

Worldwide Clinical Trials is seeking an Associate General Counsel, Legal (US) for a remote role open to candidates in the United States. You will partner with the General Counsel and senior leaders to manage complex legal, regulatory, and commercial matters across a global CRO environment.

Your responsibilities include drafting and negotiating complex clinical research agreements, leading strategic legal initiatives, and guiding governance, compliance, and data privacy activities.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, active license to practice.
• Leadership and coaching abilities for a global, matrixed organization.
• Strong governance, risk, and compliance experience in life sciences.

Responsibilities

• Advise the General Counsel and senior leadership on complex legal and regulatory risks.
• Oversee drafting and negotiation of clinical research agreements and sponsor-facing contracts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address GxP, privacy, and regulatory obligations.
• Lead and develop the legal team, driving process improvements and metrics.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Executive communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

## Associate General Counsel, Legal (US)Apply: Remote: Research Triangle Park, North Carolina: Columbia, South Carolina: Durham, North Carolina: Dover, Delaware: Washington DC, District of Columbia: Full time: Posted Today: JR103150Who we areWe’re a global, midsize CRO that pushes boundaries, innovates and invents because the path to a cure for the world’s most persistent diseases is not paved by those who play it safe. It is built by those who take pioneering, creative approaches and implement them with quality and excellence.We are Worldwide Clinical Trials, and we are a global team of over 3,500+ experts, bright thinkers, dreamers and doers and, together, we are changing the way the world experiences CROs – in the best possible way.Our mission is to work with passion and purpose every day to improve lives and we are looking for others who value this same pursuit.Why WorldwideWe believe everyone plays an important role in making a world of difference for patients and their caregivers. From our hands-on, accessible leaders, to our cohesive and supportive teams, we are committed to enabling professionals from all backgrounds and experiences to succeed. We prioritize cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment that continues to promote collaboration and creativity. We are proud to be a workplace where people thrive by being themselves and are inspired to do their best work every day. Join us!**Make an Impact as an Associate General Counsel, Legal at Worldwide** As an Associate General Counsel, Legal, you will play a critical leadership role in helping Worldwide navigate complex legal, regulatory, commercial, and compliance matters across a global clinical research environment. Your expertise will directly support the delivery of clinical development services while protecting research participants, strengthening sponsor relationships, and enabling responsible business growth. Working closely with the General Counsel and senior leaders, you'll provide practical, risk-based guidance that balances business objectives with legal and ethical obligations. You'll influence enterprise-wide decisions, lead key legal subject-matter areas, and help shape the future of a scalable, high-performing legal function. This is an opportunity to partner with teams across Clinical Operations, Business Development, Finance, Human Resources, Quality, Technology, Compliance, and Data Privacy to drive business outcomes, reduce risk, and support innovation across a global organization. **Where You'll Work** This is a remote role open to candidates based in United States. You will collaborate with global teams across multiple time zones. **What You'll Do*** Advise the General Counsel and senior leadership on complex legal, regulatory, commercial, operational, and reputational risk matters.* Lead strategic legal subject-matter areas and deliver practical guidance that supports business objectives, risk tolerance, and global operations.* Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex clinical research and sponsor-facing agreements while balancing risk and commercial outcomes.* Partner with Business Development, Finance, Clinical Operations, and other stakeholders to streamline contracting processes and accelerate business performance.* Collaborate with Quality, Data Privacy, Information Security, Regulatory, and Compliance teams to address GxP, privacy, data integrity, and regulatory obligations.* Support enterprise risk management activities, investigations, compliance initiatives, governance programs, and escalation of significant legal risks.* Provide legal support for mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, corporate governance matters, disputes, and other key business initiatives.* Lead, mentor, and develop legal professionals while advancing operational excellence through processes, metrics, technology, automation, and knowledge management. **What You'll Bring*** Juris Doctor from an accredited law school (or equivalent legal qualification appropriate to the jurisdiction), active license to practice law, and membership in good standing in at least one applicable jurisdiction.* 8-12+ years of progressively responsible legal experience, including significant in-house leadership experience within a CRO, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, healthcare, or other highly regulated life sciences environment.* Demonstrated experience supporting complex clinical research services, sponsor contracting, regulated operations, and global legal or compliance matters.* Strong expertise in commercial contracting, including master services agreements, statements of work, change orders, clinical research agreements, data protection agreements, and related sponsor-facing arrangements.* Working knowledge of global clinical research regulations, GxP requirements, data privacy and security obligations, healthcare compliance, and research-related contracting.* Proven leadership, coaching, delegation, and change-management capabilities within a global, matrixed organization.* Excellent legal judgment, business acumen, executive-level communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple high-priority matters while delivering practical, risk-calibrated solutions.* Proficiency in English and strong competency with Microsoft 365, legal technology platforms, workflow automation tools, analytics, and responsible AI solutions. At Worldwide Clinical Trials, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace by providing transparent compensation. The salary range for this position is annually (For hourly paid positions, the stated salary range reflects hourly rates): United States of America - $200,500.00 - $398,500.00The salary range provided is intended to give candidates an understanding of potential earnings. Compensation will fall within the provided range, and it not a guarantee of exact salary. The final salary will be determined based on relevant experience, performance, education, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, we offer a competitive benefits package depending on location. We ensure pay equity and transparency and comply with all applicable labor laws. Salary information will be discussed during the interview process, and we encourage candidates to inquire about compensation at any stage.