Description:

We are seeking a seasoned legal professional to join our Legal Department as Executive Director & Executive Counsel – Intellectual Property. This role provides strategic legal counsel to senior leadership (VP, EVP, CMC, and Level 1 executives), with a focus on intellectual property (IP) acquisition, due diligence, and global legal strategy. The successful candidate will lead a team of attorneys and IP professionals, manage complex legal matters, and influence business decisions at the highest levels.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Develop and implement IP strategies for protecting innovations across several therapeutic modalities with a strong understanding and background in large molecule pharmaceutical IP law.
Assist in assessing and guiding patent portfolio development for assets in development with an understanding of potential future litigation (i.e., Hatch-Waxman and Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA)).
Manage and grow the company's global patent portfolio, by working with outside counsel and direct reports, including advising, drafting and prosecution.
Conduct and supervise freedom-to-operate (FTO), patentability, and landscape analyses in collaboration with R&D, Business Development, and corporate strategy.
Advise senior executives in discovery research on legal risks and strategic decisions on platform technologies by providing IP analysis and input into potential molecule design.
Advise on legal risks and strategic decisions by providing strategic IP input into clinical and regulatory activities, including assessing potential third-party IP risks.
Provide strategic direction for actions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including inter partes reviews (IPRs), post-grant reviews (PGRs).
Manage and mentor a team of attorneys and paraprofessionals.
Partner with internal, including internal global attorneys, and external counsel to support business objectives.
Advise on IP provisions of high-stakes agreements in collaboration with Business Development and other senior leaders, including IP licensing, collaborations, and sponsored research agreements.
Stay current with national and international legal and business developments, and advise on changes that may impact business objectives.
Promote corporate policies and ensure legal compliance across business units.

Requirements:

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
Admission to at least one State Bar and registered to practice in front of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Minimum 10 years of relevant legal experience, with at least 5 years of relevant experience in patent and intellectual property law in the pharmaceutical industry, with experience building patent portfolios for large molecule pharmaceuticals.
Proven leadership in managing legal teams and mentoring professionals.
Exceptional communication, analytical thinking, and negotiation skills.
Strong organizational skills and discretion in handling confidential information.
Must have the ability to work seamlessly in a cross-functional business environment, be highly innovative and be well-versed in pharmaceutical new product development processes, patent procurement, enforcement and monetization while staying aligned with the overall business strategy.
Must have a sound background and education (preferably graduate degree) in a biotech-life science field such as chemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry and/or immunology or the like.
Working knowledge of Hatch-Waxman and BPCIA law.
Strong knowledge of patent prosecution and at least one other competency (FDA regulations, IP litigation and/or IP transactional work).
Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.