Sr Counsel

Company Information

At Advarra, we are passionate about making a difference in the world of clinical research and advancing human health. With a rich history rooted in ethical review services combined with innovative technology solutions and deep industry expertise, we are at the forefront of industry change. A market leader and pioneer, Advarra breaks the silos that impede clinical research, aligning patients, sites, sponsors, and CROs in a connected ecosystem to accelerate trials.

Company Culture

Our employees are the heart of Advarra. They are the key to our success and the driving force behind our mission and vision. Our values (Patient-Centric, Ethical, Quality Focused, Collaborative) guide our actions and decisions. Knowing the impact of our work on trial participants and patients, we act with urgency and purpose to advance clinical research so that people can live happier, healthier lives.

At Advarra, we seek to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone is treated with respect and diverse perspectives are embraced. Treating one another, our clients, and clinical trial participants with empathy and care are key tenets of our culture at Advarra; we are committed to creating a workplace where each employee is not only valued but empowered to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Job Overview Summary

Advarra’s Legal Department is looking for a senior legal advisor and enterprise partner to be part of our collaborative team and shape Advarra’s legal strategy across commercial, product innovation, and corporate initiatives. This Senior Counsel role will serve as a key legal advisor and strategic partner to the business, leading complex, high-impact transactions and providing guidance across multiple functional areas. Your primary responsibility will be leading legal negotiations with our customers and vendors, efficiently bringing deals to a favorable close.

This individual will lead the structuring of novel and strategic transactions, develop scalable legal frameworks, and drive alignment across business units. In addition to transactional leadership, this role contributes to enterprise risk management, governance, and long-term business strategy.

The role also serves as a thought leader within the organization and externally, helping position Advarra as an industry leader in legal and regulatory innovation within clinical research. We are looking for a high performer who has exceptional communication skills and is adaptable, team-oriented, loves to learn, and operates with a high degree of integrity.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Shape and implement legal strategy aligned with corporate objectives
• Lead and structure complex, high-value, and enterprise-critical transactions that influence company strategy and market positioning
• Anticipate and identify legal trends and provide strategic, business-oriented recommendations to senior leadership to proactively position the company
• Lead high-impact initiatives such as M&A, new market entry, or major partnerships
• Provide day-to-day product and business counseling for Advarra’s product team
• Negotiate and provide ongoing legal support for strategic partnerships and collaborations
• Provide ongoing legal support for the human resources team
• Assist with litigation, investigations, and other special projects as needed
• Coordinate with internal and external subject matter experts, including external counsel, when needed
• Drive the contracting process and serve as point of contact for internal stakeholders and customers
• Draft and negotiate a variety of contracts, including master agreements (containing SaaS subscription terms), data privacy agreements, statements of work, software user agreements, business associate agreements, and consulting services arrangements
• Respond to inquiries regarding contract interpretation and compliance
• Introduce new methodologies or tools to build and institutionalize scalable legal operational excellence
• Serve as a recognized subject matter expert and establish good working relationships with internal clients, based on mutual trust and respect, as well as knowledge of the company’s business, needs, and goals
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior attorneys and legal professionals to develop capability across the legal function
• Other duties as assigned

Location

This role is open to candidates working remotely in the United States.

Basic Qualifications

• J.D. and Bar Admission required
• 15+ years of relevant legal experience with a strong preference for in-house experience
• Experience working in-house at a technology company, software company, CRO or pharmaceutical company
• Experience with different kinds of commercial transactions (e.g., SaaS, strategic alliance, IP licensing, software licensing, working with contractors, outsourcing, facilities, etc.)
• Experience with at least one of these additional areas: product counseling, employment law, intellectual property, M&A, or partnerships

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and provide practical, business-focused legal advice at all levels of the organization
• Recognized expertise in one or more key domains (e.g., SaaS, healthcare, clinical trials, privacy, regulatory)
• Proven ability to pick up new areas of law and technical product understanding
• Familiarity with data privacy, HIPAA, and information security; knowledge of IRBs and related FDA regulations a plus
• A confident, effective, and positive negotiator who can lead the process, focus on important issues and efficiently bring deals to a favorable close
• Strong aptitude for drafting documents, emails, and anything else in a very precise manner, while still being concise and digestible for non-lawyers. Attention to detail is a must
• Skilled at working cross-functionally and collaboratively with different departments
• Ability to manage conflicting demands and priorities and deliver work within deadlines
• Motivated to learn about a wide range of topics, including intellectual property, privacy, general corporate matters, and employment issues
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general computer familiarity and navigation skills
• Salesforce experience preferred

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Sit or stand for extended periods of time at stationary workstation
• Regularly carry, raise, and lower objects of up to 10 Lbs.
• Learn and comprehend basic instructions
• Focus and attention to tasks and responsibilities
• Verbal communication; listening and understanding, responding, and speaking

Advarra is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability or genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The base salary range for this role is $150,898 - $221,404. Note that salary may vary based on location, skills, and experience and may vary from the amounts listed above. This position may also be eligible for a variable bonus in addition to base salary as well as health coverage, paid holidays, and other benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.