Senior Director IP Counsel

Senior Director Intellectual Property Counsel, Instruments Division

Job Description:

This role is to provide intellectual property ("IP") legal support for Stryker’s Instruments division. This position is responsible for developing IP strategy and working with the division’s IP team to implement it. This role is also responsible for advising internal business partners and managing outside counsel on a wide range of issues involving patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights, for matters including agreements, freedom to operate, M&A, and IP risk mitigation. This attorney will work closely with IP managers, IP litigation counsel, business counsel, R&D, business development, and commercial business leadership.

Education & Special Training:

• Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering/science, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering or equivalent

• Juris Doctor degree and member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar

• Registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

• Excellent academic credentials

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience, law firm or in-house IP legal experience preferred, with a demonstrated competency with medical device, digital and/or software-enabled technologies

• Demonstrated ability and strong experience with strategizing, overseeing, and managing patent preparation and prosecution of mechanical, electromechanical, electrical, digital, and software-enabled technologies

• Demonstrated ability and experience in providing IP due diligence support for various M&A deals

• Experience and comfort working in a matrixed organization across functions

• Strong experience with patent clearance/freedom-to-operate issues and opinions

• Demonstrates excellent judgment, professional demeanor, business acumen and executive presence

• Demonstrates ability to collaborate with and lead project efforts with colleagues and business partners in a global organization

• Initiates, embraces, and drives change in a dynamic environment

• Possesses excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills with demonstrated ability to impact, influence, and inspire others at all levels

• Possesses excellent analytical and drafting skills for transactions

• Experience providing timely legal advice in a highly regulated environment

• Demonstrates and drives a commitment to integrity and accountability

• Possesses excellent organizational skills and can manage numerous projects and conflicting demands in a fast-paced environment

• Maintains highly sensitive and confidential information

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assists with the development and implementation of IP strategy in areas of responsibility

• Provide and facilitate IP due diligence and review associated IP agreements

• Draft, review, negotiate and advise on complex IP agreements, including licenses and IP provisions in other agreements with customers, suppliers, and partners

• Conduct legal analysis and provide counsel on issues related to IP

• Coordinate and collaborate with IP team for management of patent prosecution and portfolio growth

• Provide counsel and legal support on patentability and freedom-to-operate issues

• Manage and advise on trademark clearance and usage

• Work closely with IP Legal team and divisional management on IP litigation and legal claims

• Support IP due diligence on business acquisitions involving med device, digital and/or software-enabled technologies

• Counsel on IP matters, particularly in the areas of patent, trade secret, copyright, and trademark law

• Conduct IP training

• Ability to travel as necessary to support different business units within Instruments Division

Compensation:

• $197,200- $397,000 salary plus bonus eligible + generally eligible for short-term and long-term financial incentives + benefits.  Actual minimum and maximum may vary based on location.  Individual pay is based on skills, experience, and other relevant factors.

Travel:  Up to 30%

Location:   Within 3 hours of Kalamazoo, MI