Sr. Director - Patent Counsel

Role Summary

Experienced and strategic patent attorney focuses on providing solutions-oriented counselling for issues facing Lilly in discovery, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. This position reports to Associate VP – Assistant General Patent Counsel and requires close collaboration with scientists, other members of the Lilly Legal Patent team as well as business leadership. The position is well-suited for patent attorneys energized by working in a dynamic fast-paced environment with broad responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute globally pharmaceutical patent applications comprising large number of embodiments that are part of a complex IP strategy for small molecule therapeutics, in accordance with business requirements, patent laws, and Lilly policies and procedures.
• Participate and contribute to overall patent portfolio strategy established through departmental guidance forums related to patent procurement or litigation strategies.
• Analyze risks and develop sound tactical strategies/approaches/solutions with appropriate consideration of business objectives and the environment.
• Advise teams and senior management about exclusivity, freedom to operate, contract management, and litigation risks in a manner consistent with the law, ethics, and Lilly policies; communicate advice in a manner understandable to a lay person.
• Lead with a continuous improvement mindset by remaining well versed in global laws, court precedents, and regulations pertinent to pharmaceutical products; apply knowledge appropriately in carrying out individual responsibilities as well as opportunities within the team and organization.
• Prioritize and manage projects; contribute to the implementation of new policies and procedures; lead task-directed teams; embrace efficient but prudent use of AI to improve daily work product.
• Contribute to efficiency, collegiality, and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a scientific field that together with prior work experience, provides sufficient background for effective communication with scientists and management about scientific aspects of discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics.
• Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. institution.
• Five or more years of post-JD experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or industry.
• Presently admitted to practice law in at least one US jurisdiction and presently licensed to represent clients in patent matters before the USPTO; in good standing in each state and in the USPTO; no discipline issues on record.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization and/or visas for this role.

Additional Skills

• Collaborative partner with the ability to work effectively with team members and management across all levels of the organization.
• At least 4 years of technical experience in the pharmaceutical industry in a scientific position in drug discovery or development or demonstrated considerable experience with and knowledge of drug discovery and development, and/or with patent litigation relating to pharmaceutical products.
• At least 5 years of experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications relating to small molecules.
• Innovatively and proactively identifies opportunities and looks for new, creative solutions.
• Ability to influence and lead boldly in a dynamic environment.
• High learning agility, including creatively solving problems; ability to deal with complexity; high curiosity; responding well to constructive feedback; seeking improvement of self and Lilly; accepting or leading change and helping others adapt to change; ability to adjust style to audience; and ability to make the complex understandable.
• Sensitivity to others; composure under stress; ability to quickly learn and adapt.
• Ability to organize self, to multi-task effectively, to satisfactorily complete projects with deadlines on time, and to direct others.
• Effective as individual contributor, team member, and leader, with strong collaboration skills for working with colleagues/teams in different locations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Education

• Not specified separately beyond the basic qualifications listed.

Additional Requirements

• Hybrid office / home based working. Office work located at Lilly (Louisville, CO) or Lilly Corporate Center (Indianapolis). Travel is usually not significant (0-5%), but travel could become more significant (10-20%) intermittently for internal/external requirements. US Remote candidates will be considered.
• Primarily supporting LRL globally, including sites in the US (Colorado and San Diego), Spain (Alcobendas) and Lilly Corporate Center (Indianapolis). Travel is usually not significant (0-10%), but travel could become more significant (10-20%) intermittently for internal/external requirements.