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Senior Director Intellectual Property Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Woodward

Director, Intellectual Property

Fort Collins, CO · On-site

$203K - $244K/yr

If you're a Intellectual Property leader, we have an exciting opportunity for you. Provide strategic intellectual property (IP) legal leadership for Woodward's Aerospace segment by identifying and ...

Woodward

$203K - $244K/yr

If you're a Intellectual Property leader, we have an exciting opportunity for you. Provide strategic intellectual property (IP) legal leadership for Woodward's Aerospace segment by identifying and ...

Woodward

Director, Intellectual Property

Denver, CO

$203K - $244K/yr

If you're a Intellectual Property leader, we have an exciting opportunity for you. Provide strategic intellectual property (IP) legal leadership for Woodward's Aerospace segment by identifying and ...

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Senior Director Intellectual Property information

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$32.5K

$128.3K

$192K

How much do senior director intellectual property jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior director intellectual property in the United States is $128,289.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,500.00 and $158,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Director of Intellectual Property, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Director of Intellectual Property, you need deep expertise in patent and trademark law, strategic IP portfolio management, and typically hold a law degree with relevant bar admission. Mastery of IP management software, patent databases, and familiarity with global IP filing systems is expected, along with certifications such as Registered Patent Attorney or Agent. Exceptional negotiation, leadership, and cross-functional communication skills set top candidates apart. These capabilities are crucial for protecting organizational assets, driving business value, and ensuring compliance in a complex, rapidly evolving IP landscape.

What does a Senior Director of Intellectual Property do?

A Senior Director of Intellectual Property oversees an organization’s intellectual property strategy, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. They are responsible for developing policies to protect and monetize the company's innovations, ensuring legal compliance, and mitigating risks related to IP infringement. This role often involves collaborating with legal teams, R&D, and executives to align IP initiatives with business goals. Additionally, they may manage IP portfolios, negotiate licensing agreements, and represent the company in IP disputes.

What is the difference between Senior Director Intellectual Property vs Patent Counsel?

AspectSenior Director Intellectual PropertyPatent Counsel
CredentialsAdvanced degree in science or engineering, legal background often preferredLegal degree (JD), patent bar admission, technical background
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, managing IP portfolios, cross-department collaborationLegal advisory, patent application drafting, patent prosecution
Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, tech, pharma, manufacturingLegal firms, corporate legal departments, patent law firms
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior IP leadership rolesLegal patent expertise and patent law roles

The Senior Director Intellectual Property typically oversees strategic IP management and leads teams, requiring both technical and legal expertise. Patent Counsel focuses on patent prosecution, legal advice, and patent application processes. While both roles require legal and technical credentials, the Senior Director has a broader leadership scope, whereas Patent Counsel specializes in patent law and legal procedures.

What are some common challenges faced by a Senior Director of Intellectual Property when managing a global IP portfolio?

A Senior Director of Intellectual Property often encounters challenges such as coordinating protection strategies across multiple jurisdictions with differing laws, ensuring timely patent filings, and maintaining alignment with business objectives. They also manage cross-functional teams including R&D, legal, and external counsel to identify, protect, and enforce IP assets. Balancing proactive innovation support with reactive enforcement, while staying abreast of evolving regulations and technologies, is crucial for success in this role.
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Senior Director Intellectual Property jobs near you
Senior Director, Intellectual Property (Legal)

Senior Director, Intellectual Property (Legal)

Corcept Therapeutics

Redwood City, CA

$265K - $312K/yr

Other

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Reporting to the VP, Intellectual Property, the Senior Director, Intellectual Property supports a broad scope of companywide intellectual property matters.  This attorney will be a trusted advisor to the Company by providing strategic counsel on all facets of patent law with a focus on the Company's small molecule portfolio.  This attorney will also have responsibilities that include trademarks, copyrights, IP litigation and documents.  

The Sr. Director will be onsite in Redwood City, CA, typically 3 days per week.

Responsibilities:

  • In this role, you will establish rapport and positive working relationships with project/program teams by acting as their advisor on a variety of IP-related issues including publication reviews, IP agreement negotiation and support, and other IP issues that arise in the usual course of a growing commercial pharma business
  • You will advise on a wide range of IP matters, including patent preparation and prosecution, portfolio management of wholly owned and in-licensed IP, IP strategy, IP litigation, patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses
  • Prepare and prosecute patent applications, including building relationships within the company to identify inventions and provide guidance to management around IP filing and prosecution strategy to align with the Company's business objectives
  • Work closely with and manage outside IP counsel
  • Contributing to the development of consistent policies/procedures for IP disclosure and documentation
  • Identify training needs within the organization and assist in the development and presentation of training materials on relevant IP laws and related business issues

Preferred Skills, Qualifications or Technical Proficiencies:

  • Active membership in good standing in at least one US state bar is required, as well as be admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Complex document drafting and negotiations skills required
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills necessary
  • Ability to provide timely, practical, and actionable legal advice
  • High emotional intelligence, capable of collaboratively influencing decision-making through the respectful exchange of competing ideas and perspectives
  • Self-driven to identify and solve complex and challenging problems

Preferred Education and Experience:

  • 12+ years of law firm and/or in-house experience handling patent preparation and prosecution with focused expertise on pharmaceutical small molecule matters. A Masters or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a related chemical science is preferred
  • J.D. from a respected US law school and overall strong academic and job history credentials

The pay range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for this headquarters-based position is $265,200 - $312,000; the pay ultimately offered may vary based on legitimate considerations, including geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and education.

 Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

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