Director, Corporate Counsel

Director, Corporate Counsel

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

Cogent Biosciences is a publicly traded biotechnology company dedicated to developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases. By leveraging validated biology and a rational drug discovery approach, Cogent aims to create real solutions that address the underlying drivers of disease and offer meaningful hope to patients.

The company's lead therapeutic candidate, bezuclastinib, is a highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor designed to potently target KIT D816V and other mutations in KIT exon 17. These mutations are known drivers of systemic mastocytosis (SM) and advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) - both serious conditions driven by oncogenic KIT signaling. Bezuclastinib is currently being evaluated in multiple registration-directed trials across Non-Advanced SM (NonAdvSM), Advanced SM (AdvSM), and GIST. In July 2025, Cogent announced that its registration-direct SUMMIT trial in patients with NonAdvSM achieved statistical significance across all primary and key secondary endpoints, and the company is on track to file its first New Drug Application for this patient population by the end of 2025. The company also remains on track to announce top-line results for its APEX trial in patients with AdvSM in the second half of 2025 and for its PEAK trial in patients with GIST by the end of 2025. The company also has an ongoing Phase 1 study of its novel internally discovered FGFR2 inhibitor, and the Cogent Research Team is developing a portfolio of novel targeted therapies to help patients fighting other serious, genetically driven diseases targeting mutations in ErbB2, PI3Kα and KRAS.

Through its commitment to precision medicine and targeted innovation, Cogent Biosciences is working to transform the treatment landscape for patients with serious and underserved diseases. By leveraging validated biology and a rational drug discovery approach, Cogent aims to create real solutions that address the underlying drivers of disease. Our culture of inquisitiveness fuels continuous learning and innovation; we challenge assumptions, ask bold questions, and embrace a mindset of discovery to uncover transformative insights.

The Role:

This is a broad, hands-on role for an attorney who will join a growing legal department and serve as counsel in connection with various types of contracts supporting business needs, including strategic transactions, research collaborations, services arrangements and other legal needs as the company transitions into a commercial-stage biotech company and its other pipeline programs evolve. The Corporate Counsel will partner closely with cross-functional teams to support transactional matters, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a portfolio of agreements; advising internal clients on strategic business development projects; and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, while helping mitigate legal risk and enable business growth in a fast-paced biotechnology environment. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, this position will work with multiple functional areas and assist on a broad range of legal matters across the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a wide variety of agreements, including confidentiality agreements, master service agreements, statements of work, sponsorship agreements, consulting agreements, clinical trial agreements, vendor and supplier agreements, collaboration and licensing agreements, and sponsored research agreements.
• Collaborate with colleagues across commercial, medical affairs, research, clinical operations, finance, and senior leadership to provide business-focused legal advice that balances risk with company objectives.
• Monitor changes in applicable laws and regulations and advise on regulatory and legal matters affecting existing or proposed arrangements.
• Coordinate with the company's data privacy officer on data privacy matters.
• Partner with members of the Legal team to develop and maintain contract templates, legal playbooks, as well as training and guidance documents.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• 5-7 years of legal experience in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry, including experience with an in-house legal department.
• Broad experience drafting and negotiating complex agreements, including agreements supporting research, development, manufacturing, commercial, and other operational functions.
• Experience supporting commercial and/or medical affairs departments in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or healthcare companies strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with domestic and foreign laws governing clinical research, drug development, and data privacy preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, attention to detail, and organizational skills, allowing for an open and effective collaboration throughout the company.
• Proven ability to independently lead legal matters and negotiations, advise senior stakeholders, manage multiple priorities, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative, and growth-oriented environment.

This is primarily a remote role; however, ability to attend on-site monthly team meetings and other activities, preferred.

Salary Range: $250,000 - 290,000 USD

Target Bonus: 20% Exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Our Locations:

Waltham, MA: Our Boston office includes an open office layout that has recently undergone a makeover designed for collaboration and giving our employees the best work place possible. Free access is provided for both on-site parking and gym facilities in the building. Boulder, CO: We have just moved into our new state-of-the art Research Facility in the fast-growing biopharmaceutical hub in the greater Denver/Boulder corridor. Our CEO is based full-time in this location and we are proud to call this the home of Cogent's discovery research organization.

Our Offer To You:

To attract the very best talent, we offer a generous benefits package that includes competitive pay, performance-based bonus, stock options, insurance coverage (health, dental, life, and disability), competitive time-off, a 401(k) plan, and commuter/parking benefits. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to have a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.