Overview
A global leader in cybersecurity is seeking an AI-forward patent prosecution leader to guide global intellectual property (IP) strategy for its cloud-native cybersecurity platform. This role reports to the VP of Legal and involves leading a team that partners closely with technical leaders to identify mission-critical innovations, strengthen the global patent portfolio, oversee broader IP assets, and modernize IP operations through responsible use of AI.
Responsibilities
IP Portfolio Strategy
- Develop and manage a global patent prosecution strategy aligned with product roadmap and market indicators.
- Identify mission-critical innovations across products and technology in partnership with Product and Engineering teams.
- Make strategic filing, continuation, and abandonment decisions based on business value, competitive landscape, and jurisdictional priorities.
- Use portfolio analytics, competitive intelligence, prosecution data, and business metrics to identify coverage gaps, evaluate portfolio strength, guide investment decisions, and communicate IP performance and priorities to senior leadership.
- Manage the global trademark portfolio, including filing, prosecution, and maintenance across relevant jurisdictions.
- Oversee trademark clearance processes for new product names, features, campaign terms, and brand extensions, coordinating with Marketing, Product, and outside trademark counsel.
- Manage trademark renewals, watch services, and opposition or cancellation proceedings, working with outside specialists.
- Advise on copyright ownership, registration, and protection for software, research publications, technical documentation, and other content assets.
- Develop and maintain copyright policies covering employee-created works, contractor contributions, open-source usage, and third-party content.
- Provide strategic advice on trade secret protection.
- Support IP licensing, negotiations, M&A activities, third-party demands, and patent analyses.
- Manage outside patent counsel to ensure high-quality, timely, and cost-effective work product.
- Actively manage patent and trademark dockets, budgets, and outside spend.
AI-Enabled Operations
- Evaluate, implement, and govern AI-enabled workflows across the IP function, including invention disclosure intake, prior art review, office action summarization, portfolio analytics, outside counsel review, and budget analysis.
- Drive responsible AI adoption across the team with appropriate quality controls, confidentiality safeguards, and attorney oversight.
- Train internal teams and outside counsel on acceptable AI use in IP workflows.
- Measure and improve the team's operating leverage through AI and automation.
Requirements
- J.D. and active bar membership in the state of residence, with eligibility to practice as registered in-house counsel; admitted to practice before the USPTO.
- 15+ years of relevant IP experience, including team management.
- Extensive experience identifying, prosecuting, and procuring patentable technologies in software, SaaS, cloud, cybersecurity, and/or AI.
- Expertise managing global patent portfolios, including jurisdictional filing strategy and decisions on continuation, abandonment, and maintenance.
- Experience in trademark, copyright, and trade secret law.
- Demonstrated AI fluency: able to identify, implement, and govern practical AI use cases in legal and IP workflows.
- Proven ability to manage significant budgets effectively.
- Team-oriented, detail-oriented, and operationally rigorous.
- Proven experience utilizing AI technologies to enhance decision-making, streamline workflows and processes, improve efficiency, and drive business outcomes.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with cybersecurity software and SaaS technologies.
- Engineering or computer science background.
- Experience supporting IP licensing, M&A, and/or open source.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range for U.S. candidates: $210,000 - $300,000 per year.
- Eligibility for bonuses and equity grants.
- Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), and paid time off.
- Market leader in compensation and equity awards.
- Comprehensive physical and mental wellness programs.
- Competitive vacation and holidays.
- Paid parental and adoption leaves.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Employee networks, geographic neighborhood groups, and volunteer opportunities.
- Vibrant office culture with world-class amenities.
Location
This position is open to candidates in the United States with eligibility to practice law and admitted to the USPTO.
Equal Opportunity
The employer is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants without discrimination based on race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Additional Information
- The role involves participation in the E-Verify program.
- The expected close date for this job posting is October 5, 2026.