ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Director Intellectual Property Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Socket.dev

Director, Intellectual Property

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$245 - $270/hr

About This Role Axsome Therapeutics is seeking a Director, Intellectual Property. This role will help build Axsome's intellectual property portfolio and contribute to its patent and trademark ...

Reddit

Director, Intellectual Property

$266K - $418K/yr

Experience with patent litigation, licensing negotiations, and portfolio development, with a strong preference for experience with artificial intelligence and machine learning; web technologies ...

New

Cerebras Systems

As Director, IP, you will lead the development and execution of Cerebras' global intellectual property strategy. You will partner with engineering, research, product, security, marketing, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsIntellectual Property JobsDirector Intellectual Property Jobs

Director Intellectual Property information

See salary details

$43K

$113.2K

$194.5K

How much do director intellectual property jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for director intellectual property in the United States is $113,162.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,500.00 and $145,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of intellectual property do?

A Director of Intellectual Property (IP) oversees an organization's IP strategy, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. They ensure legal protection for innovations, manage IP portfolios, and develop strategies to mitigate risks. This role involves working with legal teams, R&D, and executives to align IP policies with business goals. Additionally, they may handle licensing agreements, enforcement actions, and compliance with intellectual property laws.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of intellectual property?

To thrive as a Director Intellectual Property, you need deep expertise in intellectual property law, patent and trademark portfolio management, and strategic IP planning, often supported by a law degree and significant industry experience. Familiarity with IP management software, patent databases, and relevant certifications such as a USPTO registration or Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) credential are typical requirements. Outstanding leadership, negotiation, and cross-functional communication skills set top candidates apart in this strategic role. These skills and qualifications are essential for protecting a company's innovations, navigating complex legal landscapes, and driving business growth through effective IP strategies.

What are the main challenges a director of intellectual property typically faces?

Directors of Intellectual Property frequently navigate complex legal and regulatory environments across multiple jurisdictions, requiring them to stay up to date on changes in IP law and global enforcement practices. They often balance the need to protect the company's IP assets with business goals such as commercialization, licensing, or collaborations with external partners. Regular interaction with R&D, legal, and executive teams is common, making communication and prioritization skills crucial. Additionally, Directors must be prepared to manage IP disputes, analyze competitive landscapes, and develop proactive strategies to mitigate risk and optimize IP value.

More about Director Intellectual Property jobs

What cities are hiring for Director Intellectual Property jobs?

Cities with the most Director Intellectual Property job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Intellectual Property jobs?

The most popular types of Intellectual Property jobs are:

What states have the most Director Intellectual Property jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Intellectual Property jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Director Intellectual Property jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Intellectual Property jobs are:

Director Intellectual Property jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Intellectual Property job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,162 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

Director, Intellectual Property

Axsome Therapeutics

New York, NY • On-site

$245K - $270K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Axsome Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company leading a new era in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) conditions. We deliver scientific breakthroughs by identifying critical gaps in care and develop differentiated products with a focus on novel mechanisms of action that enable meaningful advancements in patient outcomes. Our industry-leading neuroscience portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for major depressive disorder, agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine, as well as multiple novel product candidates addressing a broad range of serious neurological and psychiatric conditions that impact over 150 million people in the United States. Together, we are on a mission to solve some of the brain's biggest problems so patients and their loved ones can flourish. For more information, please visit us at www.axsome.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.
About This Role:
Axsome Therapeutics is seeking a Director, Intellectual Property. This role will help build Axsome's intellectual property portfolio and contribute to its patent and trademark strategies. Successful candidates should have demonstrable skills in evaluating and identifying new discoveries, leading the effort from initial filings to worldwide patent issuance, and supporting R&D efforts. Candidates will have a strong understanding of U.S. and preferably foreign patent systems, including patent filing and prosecution processes. Reporting to Axsome's VP & Principal Patent Counsel, who reports to the General Counsel, the Director, Intellectual Property, will support a number of key cross-functional projects.
This role is based at Axsome's HQ in New York City with an on-site requirement of at least three days per week. We are unable to consider candidates who are looking for fully remote roles.
Job Responsibilities and Duties include,but are not limited to, the following:
  • Works closely with external counsel to manage prosecution of a portfolio of patents and trademarks and applications in the U.S. and globally, including patent term extensions, and SPCs.
  • Provides legal support, as needed in negotiating, drafting and reviewing licensing, co-promotion, co-development, co-marketing, and clinical trial collaboration agreements.
  • Works closely with development teams to monitor results, new uses, new formulations, etc. arising during research and development of products and to manage disclosures and publications of such findings to ensure that all appropriate patentable matter is protected in a timely manner by the filing and prosecution of patent application(s).
  • Works closely with teams for pipeline and marketed products, in order to manage/process patent term extensions, Orange Book listings, claims for regulatory exclusivity, as well as ensure that any new patent protections available are obtained for new uses, different results, etc.
  • Provides freedom-to-operate (FTO), patentability, and infringement/validity analyses.
  • Monitors current developments in several key legal areas and provides Executive Leadership Team with updates regarding same.
  • Works with the Principal Patent Counsel to recommend strategic policies and procedures to maximize IP protection in view of new legal and regulatory developments.
  • Works with the Principal Patent Counsel to develop IP policy, procedure, and training on IP law and topics.

Requirements/Qualifications
  • 5+ years relevant experience.
  • JD with admission to practice in at least one state bar; Scientific degree in Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, or Biochemistry. ; Ph.D./MS a strong plus.
  • Registration to practice before the USPTO.
  • Ability to work on site Monday, Tuesday & Thursday. We are unable to consider candidates who are looking for fully remote roles

Experience, Knowledge and Skills
  • Strong experience supporting small-molecule pharmaceutical or biotechnology products, e.g., prior experience in developing small-molecule patent strategy.
  • Drafting patent applications covering inventions such as composition-of-matter, formulations, polymorphs, salts, dosing regimens, and method-of-treatments is a plus.
  • Prior law firm and in-house experience at pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology company is a plus.
  • Comfort working on cross-functional projects with scientific, clinical, and regulatory colleagues.
  • Strong communications skills.

Salary and Benefits:
The anticipated salary range for this role is $245,000 - $270,000. The salary offer will be based on a variety of factors, including experience, qualifications, internal equity and location. Axsome offers a competitive employment package that includes an annual bonus, significant equity and a generous benefits package.
Axsome is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Axsome Therapeutics does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or third-party recruitment agencies and will not pay placement fees for unsolicited candidates that are sent to hiring managers, the HR team or other Axsome team members. Only approved vendors who have been explicitly asked to support a specific search will receive access to our Applicant Tracking System to submit candidates for consideration.

Apply