Senior Director, Intellectual Property

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Director, Intellectual Property to lead our intellectual property (IP) strategy in support of developing and commercializing transformative therapies for patients with rare diseases. This role reports to the Chief Legal Officer and requires a balance of strategic acumen and hands-on execution to shape and execute a global IP program across clinical and commercial programs. As a senior legal leader in a dynamic, high-growth biopharmaceutical organization, you will partner closely with internal teams and outside counsel to maximize program value while mitigating risk.

Responsibilities

• IP Strategy & Portfolio Management: In partnership with the Chief Legal Officer and outside intellectual property counsel, develop and oversee a global IP strategy for the company’s patents, trademarks and trade secrets; Lead and oversee the drafting, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of a worldwide patent portfolio; Provide guidance on patent term extensions and regulatory exclusivities; Deliver freedom-to-operate (FTO), patent validity, and infringement analyses to inform decision-making across development and commercial programs; Manage the company’s global trademark portfolio.
• Transactional Support: Provide IP guidance in business development, licensing, collaboration, and M&A transactions; lead or support IP due diligence efforts; In collaboration with other Legal team members, draft and negotiate IP provisions in material agreements (e.g., research collaboration, license, clinical, supply, manufacturing and distribution agreements).
• Litigation & Disputes: With the Chief Legal Officer and outside counsel, manage potential Hatch-Waxman patent litigation; Direct and manage patent dispute processes such as U.S. inter partes review (IPR), post-grant proceedings, European oppositions, and other adversarial actions in key jurisdictions; Support pre-litigation risk assessments.
• Legal & Business Support: Partner with program teams and internal functions to identify and capture inventions at an early stage; Evaluate inventions and determine whether patent or trade secret protection would be appropriate; Support product launches with lifecycle management strategies; With the Chief Legal Officer, manage outside counsel relationships with a focus on cost-effectiveness and quality; Deliver timely, practical, and business-focused legal advice across jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Required: J.D. and licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (active and in good standing).
• Required: USPTO registration and eligibility to practice patent law.
• Required: 12+ years of intellectual property law experience, with significant in-house and/or law firm experience in the biopharmaceutical sector.
• Required: Strong global perspective, with experience managing patent portfolios across the U.S., EU, UK and Japan.
• Required: Proven track record advising executives and program teams, balancing legal risk with business goals.
• Required: Excellent written and oral communication skills — able to translate complex IP concepts for diverse stakeholders.
• Preferred: Experience with rare disease regulatory frameworks, including orphan drug exclusivity in the U.S. and EU.
• Preferred: Demonstrated success in managing patent litigation, disputes, oppositions, or post-grant proceedings.

Skills

• Mission-driven, passionate about bringing therapies to patients with serious, underserved rare diseases.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on execution ability in a small organization.
• Collaborative, approachable and comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-paced, global culture.
• Entrepreneurial and creative mindset with flexibility to pivot quickly as business needs evolve.
• Strong leadership presence, credibility, and collaborative mindset.

Education

• Advanced scientific degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in chemistry, biochemistry or related discipline.