Overview
This role is for an Executive Director, Assistant General Counsel, Intellectual Property (IP) within a global biopharmaceutical organization. Reporting to the VP of IP, the successful candidate will develop and implement global IP strategies for products, product candidates, and platform technologies, primarily within the neuroscience area. The position involves advising cross-functional teams on IP matters and supervising team members responsible for managing and protecting IP assets.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute IP strategies for assets primarily in neuroscience.
- Supervise IP team members supporting neuroscience programs and projects.
- Build partnerships with stakeholders across research, drug development, and commercialization to provide strategic IP advice.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen the IP portfolio through engagement with project teams and collaboration partners.
- Design and deliver global IP portfolios from invention capture to patent issuance.
- Manage worldwide IP portfolios for in-licensed and internally developed IP to maximize value.
- Provide independent IP support for strategic collaborations and licensing agreements, including conducting IP due diligence and contributing to transactional documents and negotiations.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate, infringement, validity analyses, risk evaluation, and mitigation strategies.
- Manage outside counsel for worldwide patent prosecution, IP assessments, legal opinions, and risk assessments.
- Counsel internal clients, including legal department members and senior management, on IP risks and opportunities.
- Educate and advise senior management and personnel on important IP issues and advance IP/patent awareness.
- Review publications, presentations, press releases, and other materials for clearance.
- Advise on adversarial proceedings such as IP disputes, litigation, inter partes reviews (IPRs), post-grant reviews (PGRs), and oppositions.
- Lead and participate in department initiatives to enhance IP practice and operations.
Requirements
- Fully qualified US or European Patent Attorney with 12+ years of relevant IP experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
- Significant in-house or combined in-house and law firm experience.
- Undergraduate degree in biological science, biochemistry, chemistry, or related pharmaceutical/life sciences/biotechnology field; advanced degree preferred.
- Experience managing IP practitioners and staff.
- Significant experience in IP due diligence, licensing, and collaboration agreements.
- Experience with adversarial and administrative proceedings is a plus.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with experience presenting complex information to all organizational levels.
- Strategic mindset for IP creation and protection, anticipating business challenges and legal risks.
- Ability to manage outside counsel and external resources for quality, value, and efficiency.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to contribute to collaborative decision-making.
- Strong prioritization skills and ability to manage a diverse workload.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community.
- Experience with protection of botanical products and processes is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits (US Based Candidates Only)
- Base pay range: $288,000.00 - $432,000.00 annually.
- Individual compensation depends on qualifications, skills, experience, and internal equity considerations.
- Eligibility for discretionary annual cash bonus or incentive compensation.
- Potential for discretionary equity grants.
- Benefits include medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement savings plan, and flexible paid vacation.
Location
This is a global role with responsibilities spanning multiple countries. Specific location details are not provided.
The organization is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.