Executive Director, Patents

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end IP strategy for our complex patent portfolio, carefully integrating global prosecution and third-party considerations into a cohesive and forward-looking approach.
• Develop and oversee execution of advanced and creative patent prosecution strategies, including incorporation of competitive considerations, to maximize innovation protection.
• Thoughtfully embed dispute-readiness into prosecution strategy, including drafting and amendment approaches designed to withstand post-grant proceedings and litigation.
• Play a central role in third-party challenges and challenge preparation, both offensively and defensively, while coordinating with outside counsel, including European oppositions and appeals, US post-grant proceedings (IPRs, PGRs), and litigation (e.g., US, Europe, China).
• Partner with the VP of IP on broader portfolio-level prioritization and risk assessment, while maintaining primary ownership of patent strategy.
• Drive competitor intelligence efforts and freedom-to-operate analyses, translating insights into actionable IP strategies.
• Identify gaps, risks, and whitespace opportunities across composition of matter, manufacturing, and method of use innovations, and ensure coordinated coverage and prosecution.
• Collaborate closely with internal subject matter leads and, where appropriate, provide mentorship or direct management to team members aligned with patent workstreams.
• Review manuscripts, presentations, press releases, corporate disclosures and other publication materials for clearance.
• Proactively communicate opportunities, strategies, risks and progress updates to senior leadership.
• Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership, clearly communicating complex IP risks, trade-offs, and strategic options to inform business decisions.
• Manage and direct outside counsel globally to efficiently deliver high-quality, strategically aligned work product.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited US law school and member in good standing of a US State Bar.
• Degree in a life science discipline required; advanced degree in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or similar strongly preferred.
• Registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office.
• 15+ years of patent experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech sector, with significant in-house experience within a pharmaceutical/biotech company.
• Deep and creative expertise in small molecule patent prosecution, including assessing obviousness-type double patenting risks and lifecycle strategy.
• Significant experience with patent disputes, including oppositions, IPRs/PGRs, and/or litigation.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate prosecution and dispute strategies into a cohesive, forward-looking IP approach.
• Strong understanding of global patent systems.
• Demonstrated successful experience advising senior management on complex IP issues, including risk assessment and strategic decision-making.
• Ability to operate as a senior individual contributor and strategic leader, with or without formal people management responsibilities.
• Excellent judgment, strategic thinking, and communication skills.
• Collaborative, flexible, positive and pragmatic work style.