General Counsel

Socket.dev; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Mental health support

HSA or FSA options

Unlimited PTO

401(k) company match

Weekly in-office lunch

Job summary

Iterative Health is seeking a seasoned General Counsel to serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, executive team, and Board. You will shape business strategy, manage legal risk, and scale the company’s legal function during rapid growth.

The role calls for extensive healthcare/clinical trials experience, JD, and a track record of leading in-house teams and navigating complex regulatory environments. Hybrid work in NYC or Boston with market-competitive pay.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive legal experience, combining top-tier firm and in-house leadership.
• Healthcare ecosystem experience, including clinical trials or pharma/biotech contracting.
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. state and strong business acumen.
• Experience supporting growth through M&A, financing, and IPO readiness.

Responsibilities

• Serve as top legal advisor to CEO, executive team, and Board on governance and risk.
• Build scalable legal systems, playbooks, and templates to support growth.
• Partner with Sales, Finance, and M&A on negotiations and commercial agreements.
• Oversee compliance, data governance, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead corporate transactions, IP strategy, and due diligence for growth initiatives.

Skills

Corporate governance

Contract management

Regulatory compliance

M&A execution

Team leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Iterative Health is a healthcare technology and services company powering the acceleration of clinical research to transform patient outcomes.

We built a leading performance-driven network of 100+ sites across the US, Europe, India, and Australia, conducting research directly in the communities where care is delivered across gastrointestinal, hepatology, obesity, and cardiology. By combining deep clinical trial expertise with cutting-edge AI, we connect sponsors' scientific ambitions with high-performing research teams that expedite and expand access to novel therapeutics for patients in need. Today, Iterative Health is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and New York City with 250+ employees world-wide.

We are seeking an experienced, business-minded General Counsel at Iterative Health to serve as a foundational leader and strategic partner to our CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors.

Reporting directly to the President & CFO, you will not just be our top legal advisor— a core member of the senior management team who helps shape business strategy, drive growth, and unlock revenue while appropriately managing risk and compliance with applicable laws.

This is an ideal role for someone who wants to build and scale a legal function rather than inherit a mature one. You will bridge the gap between complex legal/regulatory requirements and practical business execution, ensuring we remain compliant and protected during periods of rapid growth.

Where You’ll Drive Impact

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Company and Board on corporate governance, fiduciary responsibilities, and existential risks.
• Integrate legal strategy with broader company financial and business objectives.
• Serve as a core member of the senior management team, contributing to business strategy and growth decisions beyond the legal function.

Building & Scaling the Legal Function

• Establish scalable legal systems, playbooks, and templates that improve contracting efficiency and support high-growth operations.
• Hire, develop, and retain a high-performing legal team as the function grows.
• Strategically manage relationships with outside counsel, optimizing the balance between in-house work and outsourced expertise to reduce overall legal spend and maintain budget predictability.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Partner closely with Sales, Finance, and M&A teams to accelerate customer contract negotiations, manage deal desks, and oversee commercial agreements, vendor contracts, and strategic alliances.
• Manage litigation matters, including commercial and contract disputes and employment matters.

Compliance, Risk & Governance

• Own the company's compliance, ethics, and data governance frameworks.
• Navigate complex regulatory landscapes including data privacy, employment law, and healthcare-specific regulatory requirements.
• Implement proactive risk mitigation strategies that protect the business while enabling growth.

Corporate Transactions & Intellectual Property

• Lead legal structuring and due diligence for M&A, debt and equity financing, and IPO preparedness, including SEC reporting readiness.
• Safeguard the company's intellectual property, including patent and trademark portfolios.
• Perform other tasks as assigned

What You Bring to the Team

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school; active membership in at least one U.S. state bar in good standing.
• 15+ years of progressive legal experience, ideally combining top-tier law firm training with senior in-house leadership; prior GC roles at a fast-growing or public company preferred.
• Deep experience within the healthcare ecosystem, with direct exposure to clinical trials and/or contracting with pharma and biotech companies.
• Exceptional financial literacy with the ability to connect financial data to legal risk and strategic decision-making.
• Proven ability to execute and accelerate M&A processes.
• A pragmatic approach to risk — bias toward action, sound judgment with incomplete information, and an understanding of the risk profile required to scale a high-growth company.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and act as a collaborative partner to CTO, COO, HR, IT, and Sales rather than a roadblock.
• A track record of hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing legal teams.
• Emotional intelligence and executive presence to navigate high-stakes, ambiguous environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as General Counsel or Deputy GC at a healthcare technology, clinical research, or life sciences company.
• Familiarity with clinical research regulations including GCP, FDA, and HIPAA/HITECH.
• Experience supporting a company through an IPO or public company SEC reporting obligations.
• Background working with private equity or venture-backed high-growth companies.

How We Work

• Collaborative and low-ego team environment
• High ownership and accountability culture
• Fast-paced and highly iterative growth environment
• Open communication and continuous learning mindset
• Mission-driven organization focused on improving patient outcomes
• Comfortable navigating evolving business priorities and opportunities

Benefits That Support You

• We believe great teams do their best work when they feel supported — professionally and personally.
• Hybrid work environment with in-office collaboration two days per week in either our NYC or Boston office
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with up to 80% of premiums covered by Iterative Health
• Mental health and wellness support through Spring Health
• Health HSA or FSA options, and commuter FSA contributions supported by Iterative Health
• Unlimited PTO, 12 company holidays, and a company-wide shutdown between Christmas and New Years
• 401(k) program with a company match of up to 3% (up to $3,000 annually)
• Weekly in-office lunch benefit every Tuesday
• 100% company-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Annual wellness and professional development stipend to support your health and growth
• And more!

New York pay range

$250,000 — $320,000 USD

At Iterative Health, we’re actively working towards creating an environment that is representative of the diversity of patients our technology serves. We are focused on building an equitable and inclusive culture, and by extension, hiring process. If you require any accommodations to make the application process or interviewing experience more accessible to you, please contact [e-mail].