Senior Director, Intellectual Property Strategy (Biopharma)

Location: Hybrid role based in Bridgewater, New Jersey, or San Diego, California, with onsite attendance 3+ days per week.

Company

hirify.global is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases.

What you will do

• Lead end-to-end IP strategy for the biologic patent portfolio and maximize global exclusivity positions.
• Draft, file, and prosecute strategic patent applications worldwide, managing outside counsel and the internal IP team.
• Lead third-party challenges and dispute preparation, including European oppositions and appeals, U.S. IPRs and PGRs, and litigation in the U.S., Europe, and China.
• Drive competitor intelligence and freedom-to-operate analyses, translating findings into actionable IP strategies.
• Identify portfolio gaps, risks, and whitespace opportunities across research and development programs.
• Advise R&D, business teams, senior management, and executives on IP matters, business development, due diligence, and publication clearance.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a life science discipline and J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Active membership in good standing of a U.S. State Bar and registration to practice before the USPTO.
• 15+ years of patent experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sector, including significant in-house experience.
• Deep expertise in patent prosecution strategy involving viral gene therapy, protein therapeutics, and antisense oligonucleotides.
• Significant experience with patent disputes, including oppositions, IPRs, PGRs, and/or litigation, plus a strong understanding of global patent systems.
• Superb written and verbal English communication skills are required.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid work model with purposeful in-person collaboration and flexible work schedules.
• Medical, dental, vision, and mental health support, plus an annual wellbeing reimbursement and employee assistance program.
• Paid time off, fertility and family-forming benefits, and caregiver support.
• 401(k) plan with company match, annual equity awards, employee stock purchase plan, and company-paid life and disability insurance.
• Access to learning programs, LinkedIn Learning, workshops, leadership development, mentorship, networking, and employee resource groups.