Senior Director, Intellectual Property Counsel

Accountabilities

• Develop and execute global intellectual property strategies aligned with research priorities, development programs, pipeline needs, and corporate objectives.

• Build, manage, and strengthen patent portfolios covering drug candidates, formulations, manufacturing processes, methods of use, and other innovations.

• Oversee the drafting, review, filing, and prosecution of US and international patent applications.

• Evaluate invention disclosures and work with scientific teams to identify patentable discoveries and establish appropriate filing strategies.

• Identify, protect, and manage trade secrets, while supporting trademark clearance and protection for product brand names.

• Conduct and oversee freedom-to-operate, patentability, validity, and infringement analyses, communicating findings and recommending practical approaches to address potential risks.

• Support lifecycle and exclusivity planning, including patent term extension opportunities and coordination with Regulatory and other relevant functions.

• Monitor competitor patent activity and emerging intellectual property developments relevant to the organization's programs.

• Advise discovery, translational science, CMC, clinical development, and other internal teams on intellectual property matters, including inventorship, ownership, confidentiality, and disclosure risks.

• Review proposed publications, presentations, and external disclosures to protect intellectual property while enabling appropriate scientific communication.

• Educate internal stakeholders on intellectual property practices and encourage timely invention identification and disclosure.

• Partner with Business Development and Legal teams on intellectual property matters related to licensing, research collaborations, co-development agreements, material transfer agreements, and other strategic transactions.

• Conduct and support intellectual property due diligence for potential partnerships, licensing opportunities, and business development activities.

• Draft, review, and negotiate intellectual property provisions covering ownership, prosecution, enforcement, and licensing rights.

• Support intellectual property obligations and governance under existing collaboration and license agreements.

• Select, direct, and oversee external patent counsel and intellectual property service providers globally.

• Manage patent dockets, filing deadlines, annuities, portfolio records, budgets, forecasts, and outside counsel spending.

• Recommend portfolio prioritization and resource allocation as programs and business needs evolve, ensuring legal strategy remains aligned with organizational objectives.

Requirements:

• J.D. from an accredited law school.

• Active admission to at least one US state bar and registration to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

• At least 12 years of relevant patent law experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.

• Experience working at a leading intellectual property law firm and within an in-house biotechnology or pharmaceutical legal department.

• Strong technical understanding of biological and pharmaceutical drug discovery and development, particularly biologics, antibodies, immunology, and inflammation.

• Extensive hands-on experience drafting and prosecuting US and international patent applications and managing complex global patent portfolios.

• Demonstrated experience conducting freedom-to-operate, patentability, validity, and infringement analyses.

• Experience supporting intellectual property due diligence and negotiating intellectual property provisions in licensing and collaboration agreements.

• Proven ability to oversee external counsel, manage budgets, and prioritize competing demands.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal and scientific matters clearly and provide actionable recommendations.

• Sound independent judgment, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships across scientific and business teams.

• Experience with patent disputes, oppositions, or other post-grant proceedings.

• In-house experience at an early-stage or rapidly growing biopharmaceutical company is preferred.

• Experience supporting antibody therapeutics, combination therapies, or programs in immunology and inflammatory diseases is an advantage.

• Demonstrated leadership capability and readiness to take increasing responsibility for company-wide intellectual property priorities and strategy.

Benefits:

• Salary: Expected annual base salary of $320,000–$336,000, depending on relevant knowledge, experience, education, and geographic location.

• Performance-based bonus opportunities.

• Equity grant opportunities.

• Competitive health, welfare, and retirement benefits.

• Unlimited paid time off.

• Two company-wide shutdowns per year, each lasting one week.

• Professional development opportunities.

• Remote working environment, with frequent in-person meetings to address complex challenges and build relationships.

• Opportunity to contribute broadly in a fast-paced, growing biotechnology organization and help shape its culture and intellectual property function.