Head of Licensing Support - Patents

About InterDigital

InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today’s most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies.

Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq. InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc. For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to head our Licensing Support function within the Patents Department. This critical role leads a global team responsible for technical, analytical, and operational support across the company’s global patent licensing programs to enable licensing discussions with potential licensees through the creation and presentation of high-quality technical evidence. This role supports patent licensing execution across: Video services and streaming platforms; Cellular handsets and tablets; Other consumer electronics, IoT and Auto; Other licensing programs as needed.

Central Responsibilities

• Develop patent assertion strategies in collaboration with the licensing teams targeting: Video services and streaming platforms; Cellular handsets and tablets; Other consumer electronics, IoT and Auto

• Lead the identification, evaluation and selection of patents aligned with specific licensing programs

• Oversee the generation and review of patent claim charts and technical evidence by the Infringement Analysis team and the development of customer-specific licensing materials by the patent product team

• Lead and co-ordinate technical discussions with potential licensees including presenting infringement positions, and addressing technical challenges, counterarguments and design around positions

• Ensure all technical materials are accurate, standards-aligned, where applicable and clearly structured to support licensing negotiations

• Support litigation and arbitration efforts, and oversee preparation of technical inputs for expert reports and testimony

• Contribute to and support participation in patent pools

• Collaborate with corporate development group to evaluate patent acquisition opportunities

• Partner with patent portfolio management and prosecution teams to enhance InterDigital’s patent portfolio, including participation in mining and review initiatives

• Provide regular structured reporting to senior management on patent licensing discussions, licensing materials and portfolios

• Lead, mentor, and develop a Licensing Support team having technical depth and external engagement skills, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture

• Drive the adoption of AI-enabled tools to enhance portfolio mining, evidence of use analysis and claim chart generation

• Establish scalable processes for claim chart generation, review, and lifecycle management across the portfolio

Required Skills & Core Expertise

• Experience and Technical Expertise:

  • Demonstrated experience in: Claim chart development and infringement analysis for licensing negotiations, and litigation contexts
  • Leading technical discussions with prospective licensees
  • Mapping patent claims to device architectures and feature implementations
  • Strong understanding of one of the following required: Video streaming technology and system architecture, Codec standards (e.g. HEVC, VVC, AV1), Cellular standards (3GPP)

• Leadership & Communication:

  • Proven ability to develop and lead teams in a global environment
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively across technical, legal, and executive audiences
  • Strong ability to translate complex technical concepts, standards, and implementations into clear persuasive licensing narratives
  • Proven track record influencing executive stakeholders and board-level priorities

• Strategic & Operational Capabilities:

  • Strategic thinker with strong execution skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to operate effectively in a complex, global environment with multiple stakeholders
  • Experience driving process improvements and implementing scalable operational frameworks
  • Experience leading transformation initiatives

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS or higher) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Telecommunications, or a related field

• USPTO registration or European Patent Attorney qualification would be a plus; Experience at a major IP licensing company is a strong plus

• Location: Any Interdigital office location in the U.S. or Europe

• InterDigital is an equal employment opportunity employer. InterDigital will not engage in or tolerate unlawful discrimination with regard to any employment decision, policy or practice based on a person’s sex, gender, pregnancy (including childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range specific to New York/CA is $205,000 - $325,000 /annually + discretionary incentive bonus, benefits and may include other forms of compensation components such as long-term incentives. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.