Senior Director, Corporate Counsel

About Us… Obsidian Therapeutics is pioneering engineered cell and gene therapies to deliver transformative outcomes for patients. Obsidian’s programs apply our CytoDriveTM technology in Cell and Gene therapy products to control expression of proteins for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and safety. Obsidian’s lead program is currently in preclinical development for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma and other solid tumors. We’re proud of our diverse talented team and committed to cultivating an environment of inclusion where each person feels a strong sense of belonging and is supported to continuously learn and contribute their best work. Our Research team is based in the heart of Cambridge, MA, and Technical Operations team is based in our brand-new facility in Bedford, MA. Obsidianites enjoy a highly collaborative culture, competitive salary and benefits, and potential for ownership through stock options. Our Opportunity… We are looking for a highly motivated and pragmatic Senior Director, Corporate Counsel, to join our team. In this critical leadership role, you will provide strategic legal guidance on complex corporate matters, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and partner with senior executives to drive business objectives. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to advancing a novel cell therapy that has the potential to become a meaningful option for patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma and other solid tumors. Supported by blue chip investors, field-leading advisors, best-in-class partners, and an experienced team, you'll be part of a dynamic, innovative, passionate, and collaborative team. You Will… Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements, including licensing, collaboration, CRO, CDMO, clinical trial, supply, and consulting agreements. Support business development and strategic transactions such as M&A, joint ventures, and research collaborations. Advise on corporate governance, subsidiary management, and Board matters. Partner with Finance and Corporate Development teams on securities, fundraising, and disclosure issues as needed. Provide legal and strategic guidance on clinical trial operations, including protocol development, site and investigator contracting, informed consent, and patient data protection. Collaborate closely with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and R&D teams to ensure compliance with GCP, GLP, and other regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA, ICH). Advise on preclinical and translational research agreements, material transfer agreements (MTAs), and sponsored research arrangements with academic and industry partners. Support ethical review and IRB/EC processes, ensuring adherence to applicable laws and regulations governing human subject research. Develop and maintain policies and procedures for compliance with healthcare, anti-bribery, data privacy (HIPAA, GDPR), and industry-specific regulations. Provide training to internal stakeholders on legal, compliance, and contracting best practices. Partner with internal audit and compliance functions to monitor risk and implement mitigation strategies. Collaborate with IP counsel on patent strategy, research collaborations, and IP ownership provisions in contracts. Support data sharing, data use, and publication agreements consistent with scientific integrity and company IP strategy. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior management and business leaders on strategic initiatives and legal risk. Participate in cross-functional governance committees (e.g., Clinical Development, Research, Compliance). Develop best practices for legal operations and contract management systems. Manage relationships with outside counsel and external partners to ensure high-quality, cost-effective legal services. Represent the company in industry associations and forums relevant to biotechnology law, research compliance, and clinical innovation. You Bring… Core Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) with 10+ years of experience, 3-5+ in-house at a clinical stage publicly traded company is preferred. Several years of experience at a Corporate Law Firm. Experience with strategic transactions, including financing, partnerships/collaborations, or mergers & acquisitions. Cultural Competencies... Cultivates collaboration, transparency, and accountability within and across teams; recognizes success requires interdisciplinary thinking and partnership. Inspires confidence, credibility, and trust internally and externally; recognized for high integrity. Adept at building buy-in and driving alignment within and across teams, senior leadership, and external partners. Exceptional communication skills in verbal, written, and visual formats, and adapted to the audience. Tenacious and resilient – has navigated significant challenges (scientific and business) and is not easily daunted. Excellent organizational skills; able to manage multiple tasks of varying degrees of complexity in parallel. Remains calm under pressure and leads others through complex situations. Seeks the data, information, and support needed (internally and externally) to make efficient and informed decisions and meet objectives.  Builds followership by being transparent, persuasive, excited about the work, and willing to work hard together to get the job done. Continuous learner – actively follows innovations in area of expertise, fosters innovative thinking, and adopts novel approaches that are fit for purpose. Reflective and self-aware; leads by example with a growth mindset. Obsidian is committed to equitable and transparent pay practices. The anticipated base salary range for this role is below. The actual base salary offered will be determined based on a combination of factors, including applicable qualifications, level of education, the depth of experience, unique skills, geographic location, internal equity, and/or business needs. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with federal, state, and/or local wage requirements for the role’s location. Our competitive compensation package includes an annual incentive bonus as a percentage of actual base salary and long-term incentives in the form of employee stock options, both of which are commensurate with the role’s level. We also offer a generous benefits package which includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; company contributions to health savings and retirement accounts; ample paid time off; access to wellness programs; and rich career growth opportunities. Anticipated Base Salary Range $270,000—$330,000 USD Obsidian is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, cultivating a welcoming and diverse environment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.