Intellectual Property Counsel, Europe

This position will offer dedicated legal support in the area of intellectual property (IP) to Stryker’s manufacturing sites across Europe, our innovation centres in Germany and Ireland and our European Regional Headquarters in Cork, Ireland.

The successful candidate will:

• collaborate with other members of Stryker’s legal and business teams to address IP issues impacting Stryker’s European businesses and provide day-to-day IP advice;
• draft and negotiate research collaboration agreements with publicly-funded institutions across Europe;
• collaborate with European stakeholders and with Stryker’s U.S. product divisions to establish and implement Stryker’s European IP strategy; and
• report to Senior IP Counsel, International and partner with Director of IP Management, International.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a legal advisor to Stryker’s European leadership, R&D centres and manufacturing sites;
• Collaborate with Stryker’s IP team and other stakeholders to develop and implement IP strategy in Europe to manage our European IP assets effectively;

• Support R&D centres across Europe on collaboration agreements with public research institutions, development agreements and other projects;
• Act as a liaison between the IP management teams at the various U.S. product divisions and European leadership including providing quarterly leadership updates;
• Develop and conduct IP Training at various European R&D centres and manufacturing sites;
• Work closely with the Legal team and divisional management on IP litigation in Europe and related legal claims;
• Provide counsel relating to European administrative challenges to patent and trade mark rights (oppositions and cancellations); 

• Develop strategies regarding enforcement / protection of Stryker’s European IP; and
• Work with R&D centres and divisional IP managers on innovation harvesting and IP

protection.

Preferred Experience:

• At least 10 years’ business experience as in-house legal counsel in the life sciences industry, or as a private practice lawyer advising clients in this industry;
• Experience with managing, protecting and enforcing patents, trade marks, trade secrets,

and copyrights throughout Europe;

• International experience or experience working with clients in different jurisdictions and cultures, ideally within a medical devices, pharmaceutical, consumer electronics or automotive industry environment.

Qualifications:

• Admitted to practice law, in at least one of the following jurisdictions:  Germany (most preferred), UK or Ireland (preferred), France, Netherlands.
• Minimum of four (4) years’ experience with patent and trade mark legal work and IP strategy.
• Life sciences experience is preferred.
• The candidate must have a Bachelor of Laws, Science or Engineering degree, or equivalent and have excellent academic credentials.
• Experience with EPO and OHIM proceedings, intellectual property strategy, intellectual property enforcement, and licensing is desirable.
• Fluency in Business English is essential, German is desirable.

Travel Percentage: Up to 25% 

Other qualities

The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate excellent judgement, professional demeanor 
• Collaborate with and lead project efforts with colleagues in a global organisation
• Work well independently and in a team
• Possess excellent analytical and writing skills
• Have experience providing timely legal advice in a highly regulated environment (preferred)
• Demonstrate and drive a commitment to integrity and accountability
• Possess excellent organizational skills and can manage numerous projects and conflicting demands in a fast-paced environment
• Have the ability to communicate at all levels, including senior executive level, of corporate organization
• Maintain highly sensitive and confidential information

Location: Freiburg, Germany (most preferred), or Cork, Ireland (preferred). Other EU-based locations will be considered. 

Why Stryker?

• We value and support diversity, equity and inclusion.
• We believe in work / life integration, which is the idea that there is no “perfect balance” that fits every person at every career and life stage.
• We offer development opportunities unique for each employee’s needs which include mentorship, challenging assignments, leadership programs, and one on one coaching.
• We encourage fun, friendship and camaraderie.
• We strive for the best by cultivating a culture that allows us to win together as a team.
• We involve employees in the decision-making process and act on information and suggestions.