Job Description

General Summary:

• The Executive Director of Intellectual Property (IP) is a highly experienced, strategic, and driven intellectual property attorney who will lead and mentor a talented team of IP practitioners to develop global IP strategies around therapeutics, and supporting platforms. The ED will partner with legal, science and business leaders on global enterprise-wide initiatives across Vertex's small molecule portfolio for a wide range of intellectual property matters. The ED will directly impact the company’s commercial success through their strategic development of IP portfolios and advise on complex/strategic IP issues.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conceptualize, develop, implement and manage intellectual property portfolio strategies worldwide to maximize value and utility of IP assets for current and future commercial assets
• Independently provide expert IP advice to senior scientific and business leaders and demonstrate thoughtful risk management in decision making
• Independently manage, mentor and develop a team of patent attorneys including their performance and career development
• Responsible for identifying preparation of patent applications, patent prosecution, and annual patent portfolio management to ensure the efficient us of our resources
• Collaborate with various functions within Vertex to foster a science-driven and innovation environment that ensures that IP is effectively identified, captured and filed
• Ability to understand and communicate complex loss of exclusivity (LOE) advice to senior management and put in place strategies to maximize LOE globally
• Oversee strategies for addressing competitor IP, including administrative proceedings such as oppositions, post-grant reviews, inter-partes reviews, and re-examinations.
• Provide IP transactional support for business transactions, clinical agreements, collaborative research agreements, and license and acquisition agreements.
• Manage the relationships and agreements with external legal counsel, and vendors
• Establish policies, guidances, and educational resources to promote a culture of compliance and IP awareness
• Maintain an awareness of IP policy developments globally, especially in the United States, and collaborate with Vertex government relations to ensure our voice is part of creating an innovation ecosystem globally.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Proven track record of developing and implementing patent strategies to drive significant company capture of IP value
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple matters simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and to respond in a clear and concise manner with pragmatic advise
• Ability to integrate legal, scientific and business advice demonstrating sound good judgement
• Extensive subject matter expertise of U.S. and foreign patent law, and regulatory law (e.g., as it relates to Orphan, Data and Marketing exclusivities, SPCs, etc.)
• Exceptional interpersonal and mentoring skills; versatile and adaptable with the ability to multitask in fast paced environment
• Proven experience in presenting and communicating complex information to senior management and external stakeholders
• Exceptional ability to prepare clear PowerPoint presentations and excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to make difficult decisions independently and a profound understanding of the business environment
• Previous pharmaceutical, biotechnology and/or biotechnology in-house and people management experience a must and preferred in a major publicly traded company

Education and Experience:

• Ph.D degree in chemistry sciences is required (organic chemistry is beneficial)
• Law degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• Admitted to the bar of at least one U.S. State or the District of Columbia
• Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
• 15 years of professional legal experience as a patent professional (e.g., patent agent, patent technical advisor, patent scientific advisor, law clerk, patent attorney, etc.)
• Prior experience as an associate or partner at an intellectual property law firm
• Prior experiences as a member of an in-house legal team in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, or biotechnology company, including management of complex patent portfolio and managing high volume intellectual property matters
• 5 or more years of direct line management experience.

#LI-EE1 #LI-Hybrid

Pay Range:

Disclosure Statement:

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation:

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com