Senior Legal Director, Research and Development

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals•Cambridge, MA

6d•$247,200 - $334,400•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Legal Director, R&D and Regulatory is a strategic legal leader who enables efficient, high-quality decision-making on regulatory pathways, product development, and lifecycle management. This role provides expert counsel to cross-functional partners across Regulatory Affairs, Public Policy & Government Relations, Therapeutic Area leadership in Cardiometabolic Disease and Neuroscience (and future therapeutic areas), Safety & Risk Management, Quality Assurance, Data Sciences, and Research & Early Development, empowering scientific innovation while managing regulatory and legal risk. The position supports key pipeline assets, including novel modalities, and serves as a trusted thought partner to Regulatory Affairs colleagues shaping regulatory strategy. It also strengthens Alnylam’s ability to navigate a rapidly evolving policy and enforcement environment through proactive regulatory policy intelligence and enhanced oversight of clinical compliance frameworks. Reporting to the Executive Director, Head of R&D Legal, this individual will operate effectively in a highly collaborative matrix environment, partnering across Alnylam teams and Legal and Compliance sub-functions. The role requires sound judgment, executive presence, and the ability to anticipate risk, identify opportunity, and help shape legal frameworks that support Alnylam’s R&D vision and growth.

Requirements

JD from an ABA-accredited law school and admission in good standing to at least one U.S. jurisdiction;
Minimum of 12 years of post-JD experience advising on legal matters in the life sciences industry, including significant FDA regulatory law experience gained through law firm practice focused on FDA and regulatory matters or relevant government service, such as at the FDA;
Deep expertise in U.S. regulatory frameworks, with working knowledge of EMA processes preferred;
Demonstrated experience advising on complex regulatory strategy and novel modalities;
Demonstrated experience advising cross-functional teams on clinical research, drug development, regulatory submissions, GCP, and related compliance frameworks, including regulatory exclusivities, orphan drug designations, as well as privacy, fraud and abuse, and product liability laws;
Strategic thinker who translates complex regulations into pragmatic, risk-based business guidance;
Strong executive presence and proven influence with senior stakeholders in a matrixed organization;
Exceptional judgment, collaboration, and interpersonal communication skills;
Maintains an independent, objective perspective while building strong partnerships with colleagues;
Thrives in ambiguous, high‑stakes environments;
Works independently, manages multiple matters, and delivers high-quality work under tight timelines;
High integrity, forward-looking perspective, and a solution-oriented approach;
Advanced contracting and redlining skills, with strong attention to detail;
Ability to manage outside counsel effectively and efficiently while adhering to budget expectations.

Nice To Haves

working knowledge of EMA processes

Responsibilities

Provide clear, practical legal counsel to R&D and Regulatory colleagues on novel or complex matters involving U.S. and global regulatory pathways, product classification, exclusivity, and lifecycle strategy, and support critical submissions and health authority interactions;
Partner with the Public Policy & Government Relations team to influence advocacy strategy and policy engagement, including contributions to trade associations and regulatory reform initiatives;
Advise Quality, Safety, Pipeline Delivery, and Legal colleagues on GCP compliance and related risk areas, including fraud prevention, product liability, privacy, pharmacovigilance, inspection readiness, and human subject research protections;
Serve as a trusted legal advisor to Quality in assessing and investigating allegations, managing inspections, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory reporting requirements;
Monitor and interpret evolving legislation, policy, industry standards, and enforcement trends affecting lifecycle management, and provide actionable guidance to stakeholders and leadership on resulting risks and opportunities;
Provide strategic legal support for complex research contracts, including drafting, reviewing, interpreting, and negotiating collaboration, sponsored research, and data and material transfer agreements;
Collaborate across Legal and cross-functional partners to design integrated legal solutions that enable pipeline delivery, clinical trial execution, and portfolio growth;
Support the development of scalable policies, processes, templates, tools, and governance that advance Alnylam’s mission to deliver transformative medicines to patients.