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Senior Director, Intellectual Property Counsel

Join Us at Pura—Reimagining Fragrance for the Future

At Pura, we believe life is better when it smells good. Fragrance has the unique power to transform spaces, elevate moods, and create lasting memories. But we know it can do even more. That’s why we’re pioneering the future of fragrance, combining cutting-edge smart home technology with premium, clean scents to create personalized, meaningful experiences in every home.

We’re not just a fragrance company—we’re on a mission to change the way people experience scent. At Pura, we are redefining fragrance as a critical element of design, on par with color, texture, sound, lighting, and furniture. We call this Scent Design—transforming scent from an afterthought into an intentional, skillful component of every space. By blending artistry and science, Pura allows users to design their own “scentscapes” that enhance daily life and craft environments that feel as good as they smell.

Our journey began with two innovators, Richie Stapler and Bruno Lima, and their shared vision of revolutionizing how we experience fragrance. Since then, Pura has grown into a company that sells a fragrance every 3.7 seconds, partnering with iconic brands like Curio, Anthropologie, and Disney. We’ve been recognized as the Fastest Growing Company in Utah, and we are passionate about making scent a core part of life’s most memorable moments.

Pura seeks an experienced and strategic Senior Director, Intellectual Property Counsel to lead the development, management, and protection of Pura’s global intellectual property portfolio. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, this individual will serve as Pura’s principal internal IP advisor and partner closely with Product, Engineering, Design, Marketing, Brand Partnerships, and other business leaders.

This role extends beyond traditional portfolio management. The Senior Director will help Pura use intellectual property to strengthen its competitive position, preserve differentiation, identify and respond to competitive threats, and create room for continued innovation and growth. The role encompasses patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade dress, trade secrets, brand protection, and enforcement in the United States and internationally.

You will help us inspire a belief in the power of fragrance to craft and elevate memorable moments for our Owners. This is your chance to make an impact in a high-growth company that’s redefining the way people experience scent.

What You’ll Own:

• IP Strategy & Portfolio Management
  • Lead Pura’s global IP strategy in consultation with the CLO, business stakeholders, and outside counsel, and manage Pura’s domestic and international patent, trademark, copyright, trade dress, and trade secret portfolios.
  • Partner closely with Product, Engineering, and Design to identify protectable innovations, conduct invention harvesting, evaluate freedom-to-operate and other IP risks, and determine appropriate protection strategies.
  • Direct outside patent counsel in drafting and prosecuting patent applications while substantively reviewing and advising on claims, scope, and prosecution strategy.
  • Lead IP clearance and risk‑assessment strategy, utilizing outside counsel as appropriate.
  • Develop trade secret strategies and scalable internal IP processes, including invention disclosures, portfolio tracking, inventor education, and portfolio reporting.
• Competitive Strategy, Brand Protection & Enforcement
  • Monitor competitor IP portfolios, filings, and market activity and translate competitive intelligence into recommendations that strengthen Pura’s competitive position.
  • Serve as the primary legal advisor to Pura’s cross‑functional brand protection efforts, including counterfeiting, marketplace infringement, unauthorized trademark use, copycat products, trade dress, and other misuse of Pura’s IP.
  • Develop and recommend enforcement strategies and manage outside counsel as appropriate. Work closely with the CLO and other Legal Department personnel when disputes elevate into litigation.
  • Regularly advise senior leadership regarding significant IP developments, risks, opportunities, and recommended strategies.
• Commercial & Emerging IP Matters
  • Provide IP expertise in Pura’s Brand Partnerships and other commercial relationships, including licensing, ownership, usage rights, exclusivity, derivative works, and enforcement rights.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate IP licenses, coexistence agreements, settlements, and other IP‑related agreements.
  • Serve as a leading internal legal voice on emerging IP issues involving artificial intelligence, including ownership, protection, third‑party rights, and AI‑assisted innovation.
  • Advise on copyright protection and employee/contractor IP, invention‑assignment, confidentiality, and trade‑secret matters.
• Outside Counsel & Budget Management
  • Manage domestic and international IP counsel and vendors to ensure high‑quality, practical, and cost‑effective representation.
  • Develop and manage the IP legal budget with the CLO and recommend where Pura should deploy IP resources to maximize strategic and competitive value.

Qualifications:

• Required
  • Be a decent human being and fun to work with.
  • J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
  • 8+ years of relevant intellectual property legal experience.
  • Significant experience with patent and trademark portfolio strategy, prosecution, clearance, licensing, and enforcement.
  • Ability to understand technical concepts and work substantively with inventors, engineers, product teams, and patent counsel.
  • Experience managing outside counsel and complex IP matters.
  • Strong business judgment with the ability to translate sophisticated IP issues into practical recommendations.
  • Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Preferred
  • Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office strongly preferred.
  • Technical or scientific undergraduate degree.
  • Utah State Bar membership.
  • Experience with consumer products, technology, hardware, software, IoT, or other innovation‑driven businesses.
  • Experience managing international IP portfolios.

We’re passionate about creating spaces that inspire, elevate, and transform everyday life. We believe scent is more than just a pleasant background—it’s an integral part of Scent Design, transforming homes into meaningful, personalized spaces. Our smart home fragrance diffusers allow users to design their own scent experiences with premium, clean fragrances.

After 10 years of innovation, we’ve been recognized by Inc. and Utah Business as one of the best places to work, and we continue to push the boundaries of technology and fragrance. Join us in our pursuit of reimagining what’s possible with scent design.

Our culture is built on a foundation of innovation, collaboration, inclusivity, and being good humans. We believe in fostering an environment where creativity thrives, empowering each team member to contribute their unique perspectives and skills. Our commitment to sustainability and integrity drives our decisions, ensuring that we not only create exceptional products but also contribute positively to our community and the planet. We celebrate diversity and prioritize open communication, cultivating a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and inspired to push boundaries. Together, we’re not just building a brand—we’re creating a movement that redefines the role of fragrance in our lives.

We’re looking for individuals who believe in the power of fragrance and technology to transform lives. If you’re ready to be part of a dynamic, fast‑growing company at the forefront of an exciting industry, we’d love to hear from you.

Pura provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

*All candidates are subject to a background check.