Associate General Counsel

Location:

This Associate General Counsel position will support the General Counsel in the development of the overall legal strategy of the organization and assists in its implementation. This role will review and prepare contracts, as needed by the organization, including vendor agreements, physician employment agreements, leases, managed care documents, and research agreements. Additionally, this position will provide legal support and advice to Company business partners utilizing a combination of legal expertise and knowledge of the Company's business. This position provides leadership and support to the Company's executive team, senior management team, and other business partners as requested by the CEO and/or General Counsel. At the discretion of General Counsel, this position may stand-in at important meetings or decision points should the General Counsel be unavailable. This position applies both seasoned business and legal judgment to mitigate Company risk and support overall Company strategy.

This Associate General Counsel position will serve as a key legal lead for the Company's clinical research, data governance, and healthcare regulatory initiatives, in addition to supporting the General Counsel in developing and executing the organization's overall legal strategy.
This role will provide primary legal oversight for clinical trial and research activities, including structuring, negotiation, and compliance of clinical trial agreements, data use agreements, and research collaborations. The position will also advise on complex healthcare data privacy matters, including HIPAA, HITECH, and applicable international frameworks (e.g., GDPR), and support the Company's expanding research and data-driven initiatives.
In addition to traditional healthcare transactional and regulatory support, this role will partner closely with Clinical Research, Compliance, IT, and executive leadership to ensure scalable, compliant frameworks for research operations and data utilization across the enterprise.

• Drafts and/or reviews agreements with vendors and suppliers;

• Provides advanced legal analysis and strategic guidance on complex regulatory and research-related matters with minimal supervision

• Works collaboratively with business partners to achieve Company goals within the confines of legal and regulatory guidelines;

• Uses analytical, problem-solving, communication skills, and good judgement to identify potential solutions to legal issues; makes and implements timely decisions in collaboration with General Counsel;

• Provides advice and support on a broad range of business and transaction matters including regulatory, fraud and abuse, compliance issues, and business development;

• Drafts and/or reviews, finalizes various documents and agreements, including physician employment agreements, professional service agreements, merger and transaction agreements;

• Leads negotiation and structuring of complex agreements, including clinical trial agreements, research collaborations, data use agreements, and strategic partnerships.

• Serves as primary legal advisor for AOR and other research-related business initiatives

• Anticipates and mitigates regulatory risks associated with evolving research models, data usage, and reimbursement structures
  Oversees litigation as requested by General Counsel, and in collaboration with Chief Compliance and Risk Officer and General Counsel

• Advises CEO and other leaders on various legal matters.

• Uses analytical, problem-solving, communication skills, and good judgement to identify potential solutions to legal issues; makes and implements timely decisions after consulting with General Counsel and/or CEO.

• Assists with and successfully executes other job functions as requested by General Counsel and/or CEO.

Clinical Research & Data Governance

• Leads legal support for clinical trials, investigator-initiated studies, and research collaborations

• Drafts and negotiates clinical trial agreements (CTAs), site agreements, data use agreements (DUAs), and related research documentation

• Advises on human subject research compliance, including IRB frameworks, informed consent considerations, and regulatory requirements

• Provides strategic guidance on healthcare data privacy and security, including HIPAA, HITECH, and GDPR (as applicable)

• Partners with Clinical Research, Compliance, and IT to develop scalable governance structures for research and data initiatives

• Supports development of policies and procedures related to research operations, data sharing, and emerging technologies (including AI in research environments)

Education:

• Successful completion of accredited law school with Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree

Certifications/Licenses: Experience:

• Minimum of 6-8 years' experience in healthcare law, with meaningful experience in clinical research, data governance, or healthcare regulatory matters.

• Demonstrated experience supporting clinical trials, clinical research programs, or research institutions (e.g., academic medical centers, cancer centers, CROs, or sponsors)

• Deep knowledge of healthcare data privacy and security frameworks, including HIPAA, HITECH, and familiarity with GDPR and emerging data regulations

• Experience advising on research-related regulatory frameworks, including human subject research considerations and IRB processes

• Experience working with or supporting clinical research operations, data-driven initiatives, or life sciences collaborations strongly preferred
  Member in good standing with the state bar of at least one of the states in which American Oncology Network has a practice location

• Working knowledge and understanding of the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, Medicare conditions of participation and payment, federal and state licensing requirements

• Strong Knowledge of HIPAA and HITECH required

• Strong background in business and transaction matters

• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills

• Ability to work with varying internal seniority levels and external partners

• Positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, and exceptional work ethic

• Maintain strict confidentiality of Company information

• Ability to interact with Executive and Senior Management

• Knowledge of Word, Outlook, and document management system

• Experience working across multiple geographies in a virtual working environment, fully utilizing technology and communication tools

• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to work independently and as part of team.

• Strong organizational and communication skills (both verbal and written).

Core Capabilities:

• Analysis & Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills including solid problem solving, analysis, decision-making, planning, time management and organizational skills. Must be detailed oriented with the ability to exercise independent judgment.

• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Developed interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, diplomacy, tact, conflict management, delegation skills, and diversity awareness. Ability to work effectively with sensitive and confidential material and sometimes emotionally charged matters.

• Communication Skills: Good command of the English language. Second language is an asset but not required. Effective communication skills (oral, written, presentation), is an active listener, and effectively provides balanced feedback.

• Customer Service & Organizational Awareness: Strong customer focus. Ability to build an engaging culture of quality, performance effectiveness and operational excellence through best practices, strong business and political acumen, collaboration and partnerships, as well as a positive employee, physician and community relations.

• Self-Management: Effectively manages own time, conflicting priorities, self, stress, and professional development. Self-motivated and self-starter with ability work independently with limited supervision. Ability to work remotely effectively as required.

• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-site environment with demonstrated ability to juggle competing priorities and demands from a variety of stakeholders and sites.

• Computer Skills:

  • Expert in MS Office Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook required.

  • Workday experience required.

Travel: 10-15%

Standard Core Workdays/Hours : Monday to Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.