Senior Counsel, Data Privacy

Full Time On-Site/Hybrid Legal Senior Counsel Data Privacy Apply for this Job At Avidity Biosciences, we are passionate about the impact of every employee in realizing our vision of improving people’s lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics. Avidity is revolutionizing the field of RNA with its proprietary AOCs, which are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to address targets and diseases previously unreachable with existing RNA therapies. If you are a committed, solution-oriented thinker, join us in making a difference and become part of our growing culture that is integrated, collaborative, agile and focused on the needs of patients.

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™). Utilizing its proprietary AOC platform, Avidity demonstrated the first-ever successful targeted delivery of RNA into muscle and is leading the field with clinical development programs for three rare muscle diseases: myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Avidity is broadening the reach of AOCs with its advancing and expanding pipeline, including programs in cardiology and immunology through internal discovery efforts and key partnerships. Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information about our AOC platform, clinical development pipeline, and people, please visit www.aviditybiosciences.com and engage with us on LinkedIn and X.

The Opportunity

Avidity is seeking a Senior Counsel, Data Privacy to establish and lead our global data privacy program. This role will set the foundation for privacy practices across the company while building scalable processes to support our growth as we transition to commercial stage. The successful candidate will provide strategic, business-focused advice on worldwide data protection laws and lead the development of policies, training, and governance frameworks that safeguard personal data and reinforce trust with patients, employees, and partners.

What You Will Contribute

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous evolution of Avidity’s global data privacy program, balancing compliance with agility in a pre-commercial environment.
• Advise cross-functional teams on worldwide data protection laws, including U.S. privacy laws, GDPR, UK GDPR, Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection, Section 5 of the FTC Act, CAN-SPAM, , and other relevant applicable laws and regulations.
• Conduct privacy assessments of business processes, systems, and initiatives; develop risk-based solutions that enable innovation while protecting data integrity.
• Serve as subject matter expert and escalation point for data protection issues in contracting, including data processing agreements, collaborations, and vendor engagements.
• Partner with contracting teams to streamline processes and create template language for privacy-related terms.
• Draft and maintain privacy notices, consents, and related disclosures, including those posted on company websites.
• Develop and deliver training and communications that increase organizational awareness of privacy requirements and best practices.
• Guide responsible use of artificial intelligence by advising on data protection implications of AI-driven tools and processes, ensuring compliance with global privacy laws while enabling innovation across Avidity’s research and operations.
• Oversee processes for responding to data subject requests and potential data incidents.
• Collaborate with Internal Audit, Ethics & Compliance, and IT Security teams to monitor and audit compliance with internal data protection policies and controls.
• Stay current on evolving global privacy requirements, regulatory guidance, and emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence) to proactively adapt Avidity’s program.

What We Seek

• JD from an ABA accredited law school and member of a state bar
• Minimum 10 years of experience advising on data privacy issues, with experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare sector strongly preferred. In-house and law firm-based experience are applicable.
• Experience in pre-commercial or high-growth company settings a plus.
• Deep expertise in U.S. and European data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, UK GDPR, Swiss FADP, CCPA/CPRA, state breach notification laws, CAN-SPAM, Section 5 of FTC Act); familiarity with Canadian and other international regimes a plus.
• Strong program management skills, with the ability to design frameworks that scale in a growing organization.
• Demonstrated success in leading or building a corporate privacy program.
• Skilled communicator with the ability to distill complex legal requirements into practical guidance for diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional judgment, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Highly motivated self-starter, comfortable operating in an emerging and fast-paced biotech environment.
• CIPM, CIPP/US, or CIPP/EU certifications preferred.

What We Will Provide To You

• The base salary range for this role is $261,000 - $289,000. The final compensation will be commensurate with such factors as relevant experience, skillset, internal equity and market factors.
• Avidity offers competitive compensation and benefits, which include the opportunity for annual and spot bonuses, stock options, and RSUs, as well as a 401(k) with an employer match. In addition, the comprehensive wellness program includes coverage for medical, dental, vision, and LTD, and four weeks of time off.
• A commitment to learning and development which includes a variety of programming internally developed by and for Avidity employees, opportunities for job-specific training offered by industry, and an education reimbursement program.