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Head Intellectual Property Biotech Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ABB

Senior Intellectual Property (IP) Attorney

Cary, NC · On-site

Head of IP, US __ The work model for the role is: Remote #LI-Onsite Your role and responsibilities ... The successful candidate will be responsible for a wide variety of complex intellectual property ...

Kim IP

Biotech Patent Attorney

Voorhees Township, NJ · On-site +1

$100K - $200K/yr

Health insurance Kim IP, a New Jersey based intellectual property law firm, is seeking an experienced biotech patent attorney with a background in biology or related discipline and a portable book of ...

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

As of Jun 12, 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Head of Intellectual Property in Biotech, and why are they important?

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.

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.

What does a Head of Intellectual Property do in the biotech industry?

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.

How does the Head of Intellectual Property in a biotech company 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.
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Infographic showing various Head Intellectual Property Biotech job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $159,999 per year, or $76.9 per hour.
Vice President, Head of IP and Strategic Transactions

Vice President, Head of IP and Strategic Transactions

Recursion

New York, NY • Remote

$337K - $432K/yr

Other

Posted yesterday

Job description

The Impact You'll Make

Recursion is seeking a Head of Intellectual Property and Strategic Transactions to shape the company's IP strategy and support high-value business development, licensing, collaboration, and platform transactions. We recognize that intellectual property is core to our remit: advancing a portfolio of differentiated medicines across wholly owned and partnered programs, enabled by an AI-native platform integrating biology, chemistry, and clinical development. The opportunity is vast and crucial, working within the intersection of law, science, and technology to drive the future of therapeutic discovery. 

The ideal candidate has deep experience with pharmaceutical patent strategy and complex life sciences transactions and is comfortable operating in a fast-moving, science-driven environment. The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues on IP protection for chemical matter, platform technology, and other discoveries as well as forming deep partnerships with our Business Development and Alliance Management teams. The role must possess integrity and sound judgment, be an analytical and creative thinker, have exceptional oral and written communication skills, and be proficient in time-management and task prioritization.  

In this role, you will:

Patent Strategy & Oversight

  • Develop and lead patent prosecution and enforcement strategy to protect the company's chemical and technological innovations
  • Oversee global patent portfolio development in pharmaceuticals, including prosecution and coordination with outside counsel
  • Identify emerging IP risks and opportunities in partnership with scientific and business leaders
  • Provide strategic guidance on patentability, freedom to operate, and IP risk to inform R&D and business decisions
  • Interpret evolving IP laws and competitive dynamics to shape portfolio and enforcement strategy

Strategic Transactions

  • Advise on and support complex life sciences transactions, including collaborations, licensing, and other strategic deals
  • Lead negotiation and execution of key agreements in alignment with company objectives
  • Conduct and guide IP diligence for in-licensing and out-licensing activities
  • Ensure IP considerations, risks, and obligations are effectively integrated into transactional strategy
  • Advise internal stakeholders on IP-related risks, compliance, and business implications across partnerships while promoting strong IP practices and innovation awareness

The Team You'll Join 

You will be joining a dynamic team of attorneys, stock administration professionals, and an IP paralegal, who you will manage. The team works closely and collaboratively with one another on overall legal strategy, departmental budget, projects, and professional development. The team relies on a communicative and supportive atmosphere to enable nimble advice and prioritization aligned with business goals.

 The Experience You'll Need

  • 10+ of experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the life sciences in the US and internationally at a law firm and in-house, including patent portfolio management
  • Significant experience with supporting strategic transactions, from drafting term sheets to direct negotiations
  • Leadership or managerial experience
  • Deep knowledge of and experience with patent and trade secret laws, particularly in the field of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
  • Ability to operate independently with scientists and business leaders to create an intellectual property portfolio aligned with company strategy
  • An interest in learning about emerging trends in biotech, including the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) workflows throughout the drug development life cycle, from target identification through the clinical approval process.
  • Ability to translate and communicate complex subject matter to internal stakeholders, e.g., science to nonscientists and legal materials to nonlawyers
  • Registered to practice at the USPTO
  • Admitted to practice in at least one state and eligible to practice law in Utah as in-house counsel

Working Location & Compensation:

This is a hybrid-based position at either of our offices located in New York City, New York, or Salt Lake City, Utah. Employees are expected to work in the office at least 50% of the time. Relocation support can be provided for candidates not local to either geographical location. 

At Recursion, we believe that every employee should be compensated fairly. Based on the skills, experience, and qualifications needed for this role, the estimated annual base salary range is:

  • New York City, Boston, & San Francisco Bay Area(s): $371,470-$475,200
  • Salt Lake City & all other U.S. locations: $337,700-$432,000

In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package.


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