Executive Director, Intellectual Property & Legal
About The Position
The Executive Director, Intellectual Property & Legal will be responsible for leading and elevating our global IP strategy as we advance toward commercialization. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role will serve as the company’s senior IP authority and a key member of the legal leadership team, responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive intellectual property strategy across our research projects to late-stage clinical and future commercial programs. This individual will combine strategic leadership with hands-on execution, partnering closely with R&D, Clinical, CMC, Business Development, and Executive Leadership to maximize portfolio value, secure competitive advantage, and mitigate risk. In addition to leading the IP function, this role will have the opportunity to oversee and develop the broader in-house legal team supporting U.S. and International operations. This is a high-impact role within a growing, mission-driven biopharmaceutical organization preparing for commercialization.
Requirements
- J.D. from an accredited law school and active license in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) registration and eligibility to practice before the USPTO.
- 12+ years of progressive intellectual property experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including substantial law firm and/or in-house experience.
- Demonstrated experience managing global patent portfolios across the U.S., Europe (including SPCs), UK, and Asia.
- Proven ability to advise senior executives while balancing legal risk with business objectives.
- Strong experience supporting late-stage clinical development and/or commercialization planning.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced scientific degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related discipline strongly preferred.
- Experience in rare disease and orphan drug regulatory exclusivity frameworks in the U.S. and EU.
- Direct experience managing patent litigation, IPRs, oppositions, or other post-grant proceedings.
- Prior experience building or scaling an in-house IP function within a growing biotech organization.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a global IP strategy aligned with corporate and program objectives.
- Lead the building, prosecution, and lifecycle management of a worldwide patent portfolio, including composition of matter, formulation, method of use, and platform innovations.
- Oversee patent term extension (PTE), supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), and regulatory exclusivity strategies.
- Provide freedom-to-operate (FTO), validity, enforceability, and infringement analyses to inform R&D, clinical, manufacturing, and commercial decisions.
- Partner with scientific teams to identify, capture, and protect inventions early and effectively.
- Lead global trademark strategy and trade secret protection.
- Provide strategic IP guidance for licensing, collaborations, co-development agreements, financings, and M&A transactions.
- Lead IP due diligence efforts for inbound and outbound transactions.
- Draft, negotiate, and advise on IP-related provisions in research, clinical, manufacturing, supply, and commercial agreements.
- Structure IP frameworks that preserve long-term asset value while enabling strategic partnerships.
- Oversee IP-related disputes and pre-litigation risk assessments.
- Manage outside counsel in patent litigation, U.S. inter partes review (IPR), post-grant proceedings, European oppositions, and other adversarial actions.
- Develop proactive risk mitigation strategies in key global jurisdictions.
- Manage and optimize relationships with external patent and litigation counsel, ensuring quality and cost discipline.
- Establish scalable IP processes and governance appropriate for a company transitioning toward commercialization.
- Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and business-oriented legal team culture.
- Provide leadership oversight and development support to the broader in-house legal team over time.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
- 401(K) Retirement Plan with Company match
- Company paid Long Term Disability Coverage
- Company-paid life Insurance & AD&D Coverage
- Voluntary Life Insurance & AD&D Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Company-paid Holidays
- Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Telecommunication Monthly Stipend
- Work-From-Home Equipment Reimbursement
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
