Sr. Director - Patent Counsel

Role Summary

Sr. Director - Patent Counsel is a strategic patent attorney role focused on providing solutions-oriented counselling for issues in discovery, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. The position collaborates with scientists, the Lilly Legal Patent team, and business leadership to manage a broad IP portfolio in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute globally pharmaceutical patent applications comprising large number of embodiments as part of a complex IP strategy for small molecule therapeutics.
• Participate in and contribute to overall patent portfolio strategy through departmental guidance forums related to patent procurement or litigation strategies.
• Analyze risks and develop tactical strategies/approaches aligned with business objectives and the environment.
• Advise teams and senior management about exclusivity, freedom to operate, contract management, and litigation risks; communicate advice clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Maintain continuous improvement by staying current on global laws, court precedents, and regulations relevant to pharmaceutical products; apply knowledge to responsibilities and opportunities.
• Prioritize and manage projects; contribute to policy/procedure improvements; lead task-directed teams; utilize AI effectively to enhance daily work product.
• Foster efficiency, collegiality, and collaboration within the team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a scientific field with additional experience enabling effective communication with scientists and management about discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited U.S. institution.
• Five or more years of post-JD experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or industry.
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and authorized to represent clients before the USPTO; in good standing with state bar and USPTO; no discipline issues.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; no sponsorship provided.

Skills

• Collaborative partner with the ability to work effectively with team members and management at all levels.
• Extensive experience (4+ years) in the pharmaceutical industry in drug discovery or development or related patent litigation for pharmaceutical products; at least 5 years drafting/prosecuting patent applications for small molecules.
• Innovative and proactive with ability to identify opportunities and provide creative solutions.
• Ability to influence and lead in a dynamic environment; high learning agility; strong problem-solving and adaptability.
• Strong interpersonal skills, composure under stress, ability to multi-task, and effective collaboration across locations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. institution

Additional Requirements

• Hybrid office / home-based working; travel 0–5% typically, up to 10–20% intermittently.