Legal Director Jobs in Massachusetts
Legal Director jobs in Massachusetts are in steady demand, with the state's dense concentration of biotech and life sciences firms, financial services companies, and major academic medical centers driving consistent hiring from in-house counsel roles through senior executive legal leadership. Boston, Cambridge, and Worcester anchor most of the openings, and employers like Fidelity Investments, Mass General Brigham, and Biogen have long maintained legal teams that recruit at this level. The most sought-after specialties are corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and healthcare law. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 16+ Legal Director jobs
Summary
Novartis will not sponsor visas for this position. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you. This person much be based in Cambridge, MA or East Hanover, NJ 3x/week. Please only apply if that works for you.
About the Role
Key responsibilities:
- Provide sophisticated legal counsel on a broad range of issues arising from R&D activities in the Americas and primarily in the U.S., including FDA regulatory requirements and development strategies, human subject protection, GxP compliance, research governance, data use and sharing, AI-enabled research, and other legal and regulatory issues impacting research and development of innovative medicines.
- Support integration of acquired assets and programs by providing strategic regulatory and R&D legal guidance on development programs, regulatory obligations, quality systems, and operational transition matters.
- Support the Head of R&D Legal, Americas in identifying and assessing emerging legal, regulatory, technology, and geopolitical developments impacting global R&D activities and strategic business objectives.
- Support legal strategies and risk mitigation measures related to evolving business models, including cross-border data exchange, technology transfers, integration of acquired assets and capabilities, collaborations, and research activities involving strategically significant jurisdictions.
- Provide legal support for clinical development and study operation activities in the Americas as needed for key initiatives, priority matters and business continuity coverage. Areas of legal support include research privacy and informed consent, site selection, patient recruitment and retention, institutional review board negotiations and approval, decentralized trials, study fees and fair market value, data use and sharing, and scientific and data integrity.
- Provide legal support for U.S. Biomedical Research (BR) as needed for key initiatives, priority matters and business continuity coverage.
- Partner with key stakeholders across Security & Legal, R&D, quality and regulatory to advise on the legal implications of the use of AI. Support the responsible and ethical adoption of AI within R&D activities and help advance the transformation of legal service delivery through AI-enabled solutions, processes, and ways of working.
- Legal review and advice on Novartis policies, governance frameworks, operating procedures, and training materials to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and promote effective risk management.
Essential requirements:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree and admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- 8+ years’ post bar admission legal experience in life sciences industry (preferably biotechnology or pharmaceutical) or a top-tier law firm representing pharmaceutical clients and advising senior leaders on complex legal, regulatory, and business risks.
- Significant knowledge of FDA law and regulation, including drug research and development, regulatory strategy, clinical development, approval pathways, GxP compliance, inspection readiness and enforcement matters.
- Significant experience supporting development, clinical operations, quality, or related R&D organizations within a pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
- Strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to assess novel legal, regulatory, and business issues in rapidly evolving environments.
- Demonstrated sound judgment and ability to provide practical, risk-based legal advice on complex and ambiguous issues.
- Demonstrated ability to learn new subject matter quickly and translate complex legal concepts into practical business advice.
- Intellectual curiosity and interest in emerging technologies, AI, evolving regulatory frameworks, geopolitical and external factors shaping the future of pharmaceutical research and development.
- Ability to operate effectively in an increasingly global and interconnected environment involving cross-functional, cross-border, and multidisciplinary teams.
Benefits & Rewards
The salary for this position is expected to range between $194,600 and $361,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
Join our Novartis Network: Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network
Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)
EEO Statement:
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations
The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
Summary
Novartis will not sponsor visas for this position. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you. This person much be based in Cambridge, MA or East Hanover, NJ 3x/week. Please only apply if that works for you.
About the Role
Key responsibilities:
- Provide sophisticated legal counsel on a broad range of issues arising from R&D activities in the Americas and primarily in the U.S., including FDA regulatory requirements and development strategies, human subject protection, GxP compliance, research governance, data use and sharing, AI-enabled research, and other legal and regulatory issues impacting research and development of innovative medicines.
- Support integration of acquired assets and programs by providing strategic regulatory and R&D legal guidance on development programs, regulatory obligations, quality systems, and operational transition matters.
- Support the Head of R&D Legal, Americas in identifying and assessing emerging legal, regulatory, technology, and geopolitical developments impacting global R&D activities and strategic business objectives.
- Support legal strategies and risk mitigation measures related to evolving business models, including cross-border data exchange, technology transfers, integration of acquired assets and capabilities, collaborations, and research activities involving strategically significant jurisdictions.
- Provide legal support for clinical development and study operation activities in the Americas as needed for key initiatives, priority matters and business continuity coverage. Areas of legal support include research privacy and informed consent, site selection, patient recruitment and retention, institutional review board negotiations and approval, decentralized trials, study fees and fair market value, data use and sharing, and scientific and data integrity.
- Provide legal support for U.S. Biomedical Research (BR) as needed for key initiatives, priority matters and business continuity coverage.
- Partner with key stakeholders across Security & Legal, R&D, quality and regulatory to advise on the legal implications of the use of AI. Support the responsible and ethical adoption of AI within R&D activities and help advance the transformation of legal service delivery through AI-enabled solutions, processes, and ways of working.
- Legal review and advice on Novartis policies, governance frameworks, operating procedures, and training materials to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and promote effective risk management.
Essential requirements:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree and admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- 8+ years’ post bar admission legal experience in life sciences industry (preferably biotechnology or pharmaceutical) or a top-tier law firm representing pharmaceutical clients and advising senior leaders on complex legal, regulatory, and business risks.
- Significant knowledge of FDA law and regulation, including drug research and development, regulatory strategy, clinical development, approval pathways, GxP compliance, inspection readiness and enforcement matters.
- Significant experience supporting development, clinical operations, quality, or related R&D organizations within a pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
- Strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to assess novel legal, regulatory, and business issues in rapidly evolving environments.
- Demonstrated sound judgment and ability to provide practical, risk-based legal advice on complex and ambiguous issues.
- Demonstrated ability to learn new subject matter quickly and translate complex legal concepts into practical business advice.
- Intellectual curiosity and interest in emerging technologies, AI, evolving regulatory frameworks, geopolitical and external factors shaping the future of pharmaceutical research and development.
- Ability to operate effectively in an increasingly global and interconnected environment involving cross-functional, cross-border, and multidisciplinary teams.
Benefits & Rewards
The salary for this position is expected to range between $194,600 and $361,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
Join our Novartis Network: Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network
Benefits and Rewards: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards
Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture
Benefits and Rewards: Learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally.
Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)
EEO Statement:
The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations
The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.
See All 16 Legal Director Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Legal Director JobsLegal Director Jobs by City in Massachusetts
Where Massachusetts roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Director Job Market in Massachusetts
A snapshot from current Massachusetts openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Massachusetts Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal director jobs across Massachusetts.
- Active Massachusetts Bar admission or admission in a state recognized by Massachusetts
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required
- Minimum of eight to twelve years of legal experience with progressive responsibility
- Demonstrated experience managing in-house legal teams or outside counsel relationships
- Deep expertise in a core practice area relevant to the employer's industry
- Strong background in contract negotiation, risk management, and regulatory compliance
Legal Director Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal director in Massachusetts?
Becoming a legal director in Massachusetts requires admission to the Massachusetts Bar through the Board of Bar Examiners, which administers the Uniform Bar Examination, or by motion if you are already admitted in a qualifying state. Most candidates hold a Juris Doctor and have spent years in a practice area relevant to their target industry. Progression typically moves from associate attorney or in-house counsel through senior counsel before reaching a director-level role.
How much do legal directors make in Massachusetts?
Legal directors in Massachusetts earn a median of about $176,680 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $82,100 for the lowest 10% to over $374,410 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire legal directors in Massachusetts?
Employers hiring legal directors in Massachusetts right now include Suffolk University, PhaseV, and Novartis, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Massachusetts's high concentration of life sciences, financial services, and technology companies means demand for legal directors with sector-specific regulatory experience is particularly consistent across the state.
Which Massachusetts cities have the most legal director jobs?
Cambridge, Boston, and Beverly have the most legal director openings in Massachusetts. Boston dominates because it is home to major financial institutions, law firms, and the headquarters of large healthcare and biotech organizations, while Cambridge draws heavily from its research university and life sciences corridor, and Worcester reflects the growing presence of regional healthcare systems and insurance employers.
Are there remote legal director jobs in Massachusetts?
Yes, though they are less common than in purely analytical roles because legal directors in Massachusetts frequently work closely with executive leadership, board members, and operational teams that expect in-person presence. About 100% of legal director openings tied to Massachusetts are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with hybrid arrangements more prevalent than fully remote. Contract review, policy drafting, and external counsel oversight are the functions most likely to be performed off-site.
How can I get hired as a legal director in Massachusetts with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is securing an in-house counsel or associate general counsel role first and building toward director-level responsibility over time. Large Massachusetts employers in healthcare, biotech, and financial services, including academic medical centers and life sciences companies headquartered in the Route 128 corridor, regularly hire junior in-house attorneys who grow into leadership roles. Specializing early in a high-demand area such as healthcare regulatory compliance or corporate governance, and obtaining Massachusetts Bar admission promptly, gives candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to legal director jobs in Massachusetts?
You can find and apply to legal director jobs in Massachusetts on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 16 Legal Director Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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