Vice President, Head of IP and Strategic Transactions

Recursion•Salt Lake, UT

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Recursion is seeking a Head of Intellectual Property and Strategic Transactions to shape the company’s IP strategy and support high-value business development, licensing, collaboration, and platform transactions. This role is crucial for advancing a portfolio of differentiated medicines across wholly owned and partnered programs, enabled by an AI-native platform integrating biology, chemistry, and clinical development. The ideal candidate has deep experience with pharmaceutical patent strategy and complex life sciences transactions and is comfortable operating in a fast-moving, science-driven environment. The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues on IP protection for chemical matter, platform technology, and other discoveries, as well as forming deep partnerships with our Business Development and Alliance Management teams. The role requires integrity, sound judgment, analytical and creative thinking, exceptional oral and written communication skills, and proficiency in time-management and task prioritization.

Requirements

10+ years of experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the life sciences in the US and internationally at a law firm and in-house, including patent portfolio management
Significant experience with supporting strategic transactions, from drafting term sheets to direct negotiations
Leadership or managerial experience
Deep knowledge of and experience with patent and trade secret laws, particularly in the field of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
Ability to operate independently with scientists and business leaders to create an intellectual property portfolio aligned with company strategy
An interest in learning about emerging trends in biotech, including the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) workflows throughout the drug development life cycle, from target identification through the clinical approval process.
Ability to translate and communicate complex subject matter to internal stakeholders, e.g., science to nonscientists and legal materials to nonlawyers
Registered to practice at the USPTO
Admitted to practice in at least one state and eligible to practice law in Utah as in-house counsel

Responsibilities

Develop and lead patent prosecution and enforcement strategy to protect the company’s chemical and technological innovations
Oversee global patent portfolio development in pharmaceuticals, including prosecution and coordination with outside counsel
Identify emerging IP risks and opportunities in partnership with scientific and business leaders
Provide strategic guidance on patentability, freedom to operate, and IP risk to inform R&D and business decisions
Interpret evolving IP laws and competitive dynamics to shape portfolio and enforcement strategy
Advise on and support complex life sciences transactions, including collaborations, licensing, and other strategic deals
Lead negotiation and execution of key agreements in alignment with company objectives
Conduct and guide IP diligence for in-licensing and out-licensing activities
Ensure IP considerations, risks, and obligations are effectively integrated into transactional strategy
Advise internal stakeholders on IP-related risks, compliance, and business implications across partnerships while promoting strong IP practices and innovation awareness