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Head of Intellectual Property

San Carlos, CA · On-site

As our first dedicated intellectual property hire, you will stand up the function from the ground up, do the work hands-on, and build a team only as our milestones demand it. Few companies offer the ...

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How much do head intellectual property biotech jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for head intellectual property biotech in the United States is $159,999.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $150,000.00 and $170,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a head of intellectual property do in biotech?

A Head of Intellectual Property (IP) in the biotech industry is responsible for developing and executing strategies to protect a company's inventions, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. This role involves overseeing IP portfolio management, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, and supporting business objectives through effective IP protection. The Head of IP often works closely with scientists, legal teams, and executives to secure and defend the company's proprietary technologies, helping maintain a competitive advantage in the market.

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

To thrive as a Head of Intellectual Property in Biotech, you need deep expertise in patent law, intellectual property strategy, and a strong scientific background in biotechnology—typically supported by a law degree (JD), a technical degree (PhD or equivalent), and patent bar registration. Familiarity with IP management software, patent databases, and international filing systems is essential. Exceptional analytical thinking, leadership, and negotiation skills help you guide teams and communicate with inventors, executives, and external counsel. These capabilities are vital to protect innovation, secure competitive advantage, and ensure compliance in a complex, rapidly evolving industry.

How does a head of intellectual property in biotech typically collaborate with research and development teams?

The Head of Intellectual Property (IP) in a biotech company works closely with R&D teams to identify, protect, and manage innovations at every stage of development. This collaboration involves regular meetings to review ongoing projects, assess patentability, and provide guidance on documenting inventions. By engaging early and frequently, the Head of IP ensures that valuable discoveries are strategically protected, aligns IP strategy with business goals, and helps prevent potential infringement issues. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for maximizing the company's competitive advantage and supporting successful product commercialization.

What is the difference between Head Intellectual Property Biotech vs Patent Manager Biotech?

AspectHead Intellectual Property BiotechPatent Manager Biotech
CredentialsAdvanced degree in life sciences, law, or IPDegree in science or engineering, often with IP certification
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, cross-department collaborationPatent drafting, prosecution, and portfolio management
Employer & Industry UsageBiotech companies, pharma firms, research institutionsBiotech and pharmaceutical companies, law firms

The Head Intellectual Property Biotech typically holds a strategic leadership role overseeing IP portfolios and innovation strategies, while the Patent Manager Biotech focuses more on patent prosecution, drafting, and technical IP management. Both roles require strong technical backgrounds and IP knowledge but differ in scope and seniority.

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Head Intellectual Property Biotech jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Intellectual Property Biotech job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, 25% Hybrid, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $159,999 per year, or $76.9 per hour.

Head of Intellectual Property

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Elanco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 86 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) - it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose - all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you'll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals' lives better makes life better - join our team today!
The Head of Intellectual Property will serve as the most senior intellectual property legal advisor to the General Counsel, senior management, and business leaders. S/he will have primary responsibilities as a legal function head, business partner, team leader, talent developer, and manager of the IP legal function which will include managing all aspects of the IP legal organization and attracting and retaining a high performing, business-focused, global IP legal team.
S/he will partner with the most senior leadership in the company, including the Head of R&D and Heads of Elanco's franchises, to articulate a strategic vision for the Elanco IP portfolio and drive essential wins in IP portfolio development.
The successful candidate will demonstrate keen legal insights and business discernment and effectively apply expertise in intellectual property areas including exclusivity strategy, defense, creation and advice; IP portfolio procurement, management, and maintenance; freedom to operate opinions; IP licensing and due diligence, and the interface between intellectual property rights and regulatory regimes, trademark monetization and protection. S/he will be the primary manager of the legal department's relationship with the R&D and marketing organizations to define business needs, risks and opportunities, and work with leadership teams to explore and evaluate solutions, make recommendations and build consensus and commitment as related to intellectual property and exclusivity matters.
Basic Qualifications:
  • J.D. from Accredited Law School
  • 15+ Years of IP, Patent, Trademark related legal experience

Responsibilities
  • Lead and manage the company's global intellectual property legal function to ensure business objectives by developing, implementing, and executing exclusivity strategies.
  • Serve as a business partner
    • Proactively provide creative and practical legal and business advice related to IP to help drive favorable business outcomes.
    • Leverage legal expertise and business judgment to counsel business leaders on wide-ranging IP issues including IP procurement, contracts, freedom to operate, and litigation.
    • Act as primary advisor to the VP of R&D and the VP of the Elanco business franchises on intellectual property matters.
    • Stay abreast of changes in intellectual property law, and differences in the law across countries/regions, and anticipating implications for Elanco businesses over time.
  • Manage the IP legal function financial resources by monitoring the operating budget of the IP legal function.
  • Lead, manage and guide in-house IP lawyers and other IP legal department employees globally to optimize the performance and capabilities of individuals and the IP team.
  • Lead and support critical business projects or initiatives, which include performing or overseeing IP due diligence; evaluating IP risks; harnessing internal innovation and develop IP strategy for new ideas, leading or overseeing cross-functional initiatives at the request of the General Counsel; negotiating IP terms in business transactions

Additional Preferred Experience & Expertise
  • Broad legal experience: A J.D. from an accredited law school, 15+ years of legal experience, ideally with a combination of top-tier law firm training and in-house roles of increasing responsibility (required). Experience working in the healthcare or pharmaceutical industry is a major plus. Licensed to practice before the USPTO and a member in good standing of at least one state bar.
  • IP specific experience: Track record leading and managing an IP function, establishing strategy and successfully driving execution of key priorities and objectives. Experience across a broad range of IP, patent and trademark matters, including executing negotiating licensing agreements and overseeing IP related litigation. Experience with or exposure to IP issues and practices outside the United States, a strong plus.
  • Business acumen and stakeholder management: Forward-thinking business partner who is experienced serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and senior business leaders with the ability to work in a highly collaborative manner with both internal and external stakeholders as well as a dispersed global team. Ability to interpret product exclusivity and its impact on revenue and profit growth in different business models and to see beyond the specific concerns of IP in service of the most important strategic business goals of the company. Experience navigating a complex organization, especially with having the Research & Development team as the biggest internal client.

Culture Fit & Values Alignment
  • Leadership and team: Experience recruiting, hiring, managing, developing and retaining legal talent. Ability to inspire others, and set clear and challenging goals and expectations; monitor progress and celebrate success. A strong people orientation, emotional intelligence, and sensitivity to cultural diversity.
  • Integrity and personality: Track record of strong personal and professional integrity and honesty; high emotional intelligence, open and transparent, commitment to building a sustainable, profitable business while meeting the highest ethical standards. High level of energy, enthusiasm, grit and motivation, as well as a desire to win. Exceptional communication skills, with poise and confidence to quickly earn the trust of others. Strong analytical and conceptual reasoning skills; handle complexity well with sound judgment. Great cross-functional and cross-team collaboration skills.

Additional Information:
  • Location: Indianapolis, IN - Global Headquarters
  • Hybrid

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
• Multiple relocation packages
• Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
• 8-week parental leave
• 9 Employee Resource Groups
• Annual bonus offering
• Flexible work arrangements
• Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
#LI-TM2
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

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