Sr. Director - Patent Counsel

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Experienced and strategic patent attorney focuses on providing solutions-oriented counselling for issues facing Lilly in discovery, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. This position reports to Associate VP – Assistant General Patent Counsel and requires close collaboration with scientists, other members of the Lilly Legal Patent team as well as business leadership. The position is well-suited for patent attorneys energized by working in a dynamic fast-paced environment with broad responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute globally pharmaceutical patent applications comprising large number of embodiments that are part of a complex IP strategy for small molecule therapeutics, in accordance with business requirements, patent laws, and Lilly policies and procedures.
• Participate and contribute to overall patent portfolio strategy established through departmental guidance forums related to patent procurement or litigation strategies. 
• Analyze risks and develop sound tactical strategies/approaches/solutions with appropriate consideration of business objectives and the environment.
• Advise teams and senior management about exclusivity, freedom to operate, contract management, and litigation risks in a manner consistent with the law, ethics, and Lilly policies; communicate advice in a manner understandable to a lay person.
• Lead with a continuous improvement mindset by remaining well versed in global laws, court precedents, and regulations pertinent to pharmaceutical products; apply knowledge appropriately in carrying out individual responsibilities as well as opportunities within the team and organization.
• Prioritize and manage projects; contribute to the implementation of new policies and procedures; lead task-directed teams; embrace efficient but prudent use of AI to improve daily work product.
• Contribute to efficiency, collegiality, and collaboration.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a scientific field that together with prior work experience, provides sufficient background for effective communication with scientists and management about scientific aspects of discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics.
• Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. institution.
• Five or more years of post-JD experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or industry.
• Presently admitted to practice law in at least one US jurisdiction and presently licensed to represent clients in patent matters before the USPTO; in good standing in each state and in the USPTO; no discipline issues on record.

• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization and/or visas for this role.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Collaborative partner with the ability to work effectively with team members and members of management across all levels of the organization. 
• At least 4 years of technical experience in the pharmaceutical industry in a scientific position in drug discovery or development or demonstrated considerable experience with and knowledge of drug discovery and development, and/or with patent litigation relating to pharmaceutical products.
• At least 5 years of experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications relating to small molecules.
• Innovatively and proactively identifies opportunities and looks for new, creative solutions.
• Ability to influence and lead boldly in a dynamic environment.
• High learning agility, including: creatively solving problems; having ability to deal with complexity; having high curiosity; responding well to constructive feedback; seeking improvement of self and Lilly; accepting or leading change and helping others adapt to change; having the ability to adjust style to audience; and having the ability to make the complex understandable.
• Sensitivity to others; composure under stress; ability to quickly learn and adapt.
• Ability to organize self, to multi-task effectively, to satisfactorily complete projects with deadlines on time, and to direct others.
• Effective as individual contributor, team member, and leader, with strong collaboration skills for working with colleagues/teams in different locations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

Additional Information

• Hybrid office / home based working. Office work located at Lilly (Louisville, CO) or Lilly Corporate Center (Indianapolis). Travel is usually not significant (0-5%), but travel could become more significant (10-20%) intermittently for internal/external requirements. US Remote candidates will be considered.

• Primarily supporting LRL globally, including sites in the US (Colorado and San Diego), Spain (Alcobendas) and Lilly Corporate Center (Indianapolis). Travel is usually not significant (0-10%), but travel could become more significant (10-20%) intermittently for internal/external requirements.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location.  The anticipated wage for this position is

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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