Legal Director Jobs in Pennsylvania
Legal Director jobs in Pennsylvania are in steady demand, concentrated in corporate law, healthcare compliance, financial services, and higher education legal affairs, with openings at every level from associate general counsel to chief legal officer. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg anchor most of the hiring, and long-established employers such as Comcast, UPMC, and Independence Blue Cross regularly seek legal directors to lead their in-house teams. Regulatory compliance, healthcare law, and corporate governance are the most sought-after specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Associate Director of Legal AffairsJob Profile Title
Associate Director E, ResearchJob Description Summary
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Responsible for delivering the following outcomes to enable rapid activation of clinical trials in accordance with the Perelman School of Medicine and Penn policy:
- Review, negotiation and conclusion of complex corporate funded, clinical trial sponsored research and other related agreements; (e.g confidentiality agreements)
- Coordination and problem-solving within the Abramson Cancer Center and with other Perelman School of Medicine and Penn research administration function offices regarding issues associated with the above function;
- Provision of effective direction and guidance to colleagues and stakeholders regarding navigating Penn's research administration function.
- Acting as a resource for the ACC legal office, as needed, including directing and guiding a Senior Contracts Administrator and a Contract Administrator.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Position contingent upon continued funding.
Qualifications
- The minimum of a Master's degree and 3 years to 5 years of relevant experience (e.g., contract negotiation, management in an academic/not-for-profit environment), or an equivalent combination of education and experience, are required . JD, Law degree or equivalent doctoral degree highly preferred. Demonstrated success or strong indicia of potential for success in managing high volume, complex projects in an efficient and customer oriented manner; initiative; flexible, adaptable, organizational skills; team player.
- Preferred knowledge of pharma/device business; clinical trials and other sponsored research; relevant legal background (e.g., FDA regulatory; intellectual property; contracts), conversant with Perelman School of Medicine/Penn research administration systems and processes, including electronic research administration systems (e.g., Penn ERA and the Research Inventory System).
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaDepartment / School
Perelman School of MedicinePay Range
$95,136.00 - $159,000.00 Annual RateSalary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
See All 9 Legal Director Jobs in Pennsylvania
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Find Legal Director JobsLegal Director Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Director Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal director jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Active license to practice law issued or recognized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school required by most Pennsylvania employers
- Minimum seven to ten years of legal experience, including at least three in a leadership role
- Demonstrated experience managing in-house legal teams or outside counsel relationships
- Deep subject-matter expertise in a core practice area relevant to the hiring organization
- Strong familiarity with Pennsylvania regulatory frameworks, including state agency requirements
Legal Director Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal director in Pennsylvania?
The concrete path starts with earning a Juris Doctor, then passing the Pennsylvania Bar Examination administered by the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners, which grants you a license to practice law in the state. Most employers also require admission to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. From there, you typically spend several years in a practice area, move into a supervisory or senior counsel role, and build management experience before stepping into a legal director position.
How much do legal directors make in Pennsylvania?
Legal directors in Pennsylvania earn a median of about $157,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,100 for the lowest 10% to over $323,370 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire legal directors in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring legal directors in Pennsylvania right now include University of Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley Health Network, and Incyte Corporation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of major health systems, financial institutions, and Fortune 500 headquarters means in-house legal director roles are consistently available across multiple sectors of the state's economy.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most legal director jobs?
Philadelphia, Allentown, and Villanova account for the largest share of legal director openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia leads because it is home to major corporate headquarters, top-tier health systems, and a dense financial services sector, while Pittsburgh's strength in healthcare and technology drives consistent demand, and Harrisburg's role as the state capital generates openings tied to regulatory affairs and government-adjacent organizations.
How can I get hired as a legal director in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a staff attorney or in-house associate counsel role at a large Pennsylvania employer such as a major health system, university, or regional bank, where you can build management exposure before stepping up. UPMC, Penn Medicine, and Temple University, among others, hire legal professionals at the associate level and often promote from within. Earning your Pennsylvania bar license, developing a specialty in healthcare compliance or corporate governance, and volunteering for cross-functional projects that require legal oversight are the moves that open the door fastest.
Where can I find and apply to legal director jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to legal director jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and practice area, and apply directly to each position without leaving the platform.
See All 9 Legal Director Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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