Legal Counsel

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Inc. seeks an experienced attorney (5–8 years) to support global clinical operations from its Boston office. You will draft, review, and negotiate clinical trial agreements, confidentiality agreements, and related documents, advising on risk, policy, and business impact.

You will lead contract lifecycle management efforts, develop templates, and collaborate with CROs, investigators, and the clinical-ops team in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and current bar admission.
• 5–8 years in a large law firm, biotech/pharma, or government handling clinical trials.
• Experience drafting and negotiating clinical trial contracts with CROs/sites.
• Knowledge of FDA rules, GCP, data privacy in global trials.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical trial contracting with CROs/vendors and sites.
• Draft/review confidentiality, research and development, clinical trial, and vendor agreements.
• Oversee CLM for clinical agreements; develop templates and standard terms.
• Advise on risk, strategy and regulatory considerations; manage outside counsel as needed.
• Collaborate with Legal & Compliance, clinical ops, and other functions.

Skills

Contract drafting

Clinical trials

FDA regulatory

Negotiation

Legal advice

Communication

Education

J.D. (ABA-accredited)

Job description

Company Overview

Rhythm is a global, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the lives of patients living with rare neuroendocrine diseases. We develop medicines for previously untreatable or undertreated diseases. We recognize the courage it takes for patients and their caregivers to begin their journey of advocacy to find the answers they need. Their courage inspires us to challenge convention, ask bold questions and seek answers for them. Every day, we strive for excellence through our willingness to adapt, learn, and our tenacity to overcome barriers, together.

Company Overview

Rhythm is a global, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the lives of patients living with rare neuroendocrine diseases. We develop medicines for previously untreatable or undertreated diseases. We recognize the courage it takes for patients and their caregivers to begin their journey of advocacy to find the answers they need. Their courage inspires us to challenge convention, ask bold questions and seek answers for them. Every day, we strive for excellence through our willingness to adapt, learn, and our tenacity to overcome barriers, together.

Opportunity Overview

Rhythm seeks an experienced and highly motivated mid-level (5-8 years) attorney with a strong life sciences background, experience providing legal support to clinical operations, and contract drafting and negotiation experience with the agreements and documentation required to support global clinical trials, to join its Legal & Compliance Department in its Boston office. The successful candidate will be proficient in preparing, reviewing, negotiating and advising business clients on agreements and documentation required to support clinical operations, including confidentiality agreements, research and development agreements, clinical trial agreements, master service agreements, statements of work, informed consent forms, material transfer agreements, service agreements, and other clinical trial agreements and documentation. This position will report to the Assistant General Counsel, work extensively with Rhythm's clinical operations team and be a key member of an agile Legal & Compliance team committed to being a strong business partner. This role is based out of our corporate office in Boston, Massachusetts. Rhythm operates in a hybrid-work model. Candidates applying must be willing and able to be in the Boston office in coordination with their department and business needs.

Responsibilities And Duties

• Provide leadership and management for clinical trial contracting processes, day-to-day advice and review of contracts with Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) and other clinical trial vendors and clinical trial sites, liaising with senior leaders to manage and elevate issues and working cross-functionally and within the Legal & Compliance Department to ensure streamlined clinical trial contracts review and consistency in compliance with applicable policies and process for the Contract Lifecycle Management platform (CLM).
• Draft, review, and negotiate confidentiality agreements, research and development agreements, clinical trial agreements, master service agreements, statements of work, informed consent forms, material transfer agreements, license agreements, vendor agreements, service agreements, and other clinical trial agreements and documentation.
• Provide leadership and management for the Company's CLM with respect to clinical agreements with assistance from other members of the Legal & Compliance team, with a focus on developing playbooks, templates and standard terms and conditions and processes for clinical trial agreements and documentation, including incorporating the use of AI tools to improve efficiencies and effectiveness in the contracting process.
• Advise business leaders on strategies and tactics in a way that advances the company's business objectives while addressing legal risks and protecting the company's integrity and reputation.
• Proactively identify legal and compliance risks and work with other internal stakeholders to effectively eliminate or mitigate those risks while concurrently supporting business strategic goals.
• Advise on other legal matters that arise across various functions within the company.
• Manage outside counsel as needed in connection with executing above responsibilities and duties.
• Contribute to other projects and areas, which may include research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing or commercial and medical matters, as determined in consultation with other members of the Legal & Compliance team.

Qualifications And Skills

• Law degree from an ABA law school and current admission to the bar.
• Typically requires 5-8 years of experience in a large law firm, biotech/pharma company, or government agency practicing law and supporting clinical trials, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Broad understanding of the life sciences industry and the types of contracts and issues that arise within clinical operations, including a familiarity with FDA rules and regulations related to clinical trials and development of pharmaceutical products.
• Substantial experience drafting, negotiating and processing clinical trial contracts with CROs and clinical trial sites and investigators as well as experience or, in the absence of demonstrated experience, a willingness and aptitude for playing a leading role in the oversight of clinical contracting processes and the Company's CLM.
• The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise advising on the legal, regulatory, and operational aspects of global clinical trials, including clinical trial agreements, CRO and investigator contracting, informed consent, data governance, and cross-border research activities. Strong knowledge of applicable global regulatory requirements and quality standards, including FDA and GCP requirements, is fundamental, with a preference for candidates with a solid understanding of the impact of global privacy and data protection laws on clinical operations.
• The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience and the ability to provide practical, risk-based guidance to support compliant and efficient clinical development programs.
• Outstanding communication, with strong ability to communicate across various functions.
• Highly collaborative, with excellent judgment and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Expert ability to constructively counsel and influence clients to take appropriate actions and make complex decisions.
• Capacity to simultaneously handle a variety of complex legal matters with minimal guidance.
• Demonstrable experience taking ownership of issues and providing timely, actionable advice.
• Exceptional written, organization, and presentation skills.

This role is based out of our corporate office in Boston, Massachusetts. Rhythm operates in a hybrid-work model. Candidates applying must be willing and able to be in the Boston office in coordination with their department and business needs. This role may involve some travel.

The expected salary range for this position is $200,000 - $340,000. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, level, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and company performance. This role may be eligible for benefits and other compensation such as restricted stock units.

More About Rhythm

We are a dynamic and growing global team spanning more than a dozen countries. At Rhythm we are dedicated to transforming the lives of patients living with rare neuroendocrine diseases by rapidly advancing care and precision medicines that address the root cause. Our team is passionate about expanding access to reach more patients and developing novel therapies for other rare neuroendocrine diseases, including congenital hyperinsulinism.

At Rhythm our core values are:

• We are committed to advancing scientific understanding to improve patients' lives
• We are inspired to tackle tough challenges and have the courage to ask bold questions
• We are eager to learn and adapt
• We believe collaboration and ownership are foundational for our success
• We value the unique contribution each individual brings to furthering our mission

Inherent in our core values is the commitment to act ethically and with integrity in all we do.

Rhythm is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, genetic