Senior Director, Intellectual Property Attorney

Role Summary

Senior Director, Intellectual Property to lead our IP strategy and global program across clinical and commercial programs. Reports to the Chief Legal Officer and will partner with internal teams and outside counsel to maximize program value while mitigating risk.

Responsibilities

• IP Strategy & Portfolio Management: Develop and oversee a global IP strategy for patents, trademarks and trade secrets; lead drafting, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of a worldwide patent portfolio; provide guidance on patent term extensions and regulatory exclusivities; deliver FTO, patent validity, and infringement analyses; manage the global trademark portfolio.
• Transactional Support: Provide IP guidance in business development, licensing, collaboration, and M&A; lead or support IP due diligence; draft and negotiate IP provisions in material agreements.
• Litigation & Disputes: Manage potential Hatch-Waxman patent litigation; direct and manage patent dispute processes (IPR, post-grant, oppositions) in key jurisdictions; support pre-litigation risk assessments.
• Legal & Business Support: Identify and capture inventions early with program teams; evaluate inventions for patent or trade secret protection; support product launches with lifecycle management strategies; manage outside counsel relationships with focus on cost-effectiveness and quality; deliver practical legal advice across jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• J.D. and licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (active and in good standing); USPTO registration and eligibility to practice patent law.
• 12+ years of intellectual property law experience, with significant in-house and/or law firm experience in the biopharmaceutical sector.
• Advanced scientific degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in chemistry, biochemistry or related discipline.
• Strong global perspective, with experience managing patent portfolios across the U.S., EU, UK and Japan.
• Proven track record advising executives and program teams, balancing legal risk with business goals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills capable of translating complex IP concepts for diverse stakeholders.

Preferred

• Experience with rare disease regulatory frameworks, including orphan drug exclusivity in the U.S. and EU.
• Demonstrated success in managing patent litigation, disputes, oppositions, or post-grant proceedings.

Skills

• Mission-driven with passion for 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.