Deputy General Counsel and Vice President - Intellectual Property

What You Will Contribute To Altos

We are seeking an energetic and strategic Deputy General Counsel and Vice President, Intellectual Property to lead our global IP function.  As a critical member of the Legal team, you own the creation and implementation of a global intellectual property strategy that protects our groundbreaking innovations in cellular programming and computational biology and ultimately our novel transformative therapeutics for patients.

You thrive in complex, fast-changing environments and drive thoughtful and effective strategic execution with your team. You translate broad organizational visions into clear, actionable strategies.  When faced with incomplete data or shifting priorities, you make decisive choices, communicate the 'why' behind them transparently, and keep the team focused and aligned.

You build and role model a culture of courage and creativity. Your success is defined by your ability to elevate the people around you, clear roadblocks, and confidently delegate ownership.

You are an ethical and mission driven leader and a team player bringing excellent technical and interpersonal capabilities and the presence and ability to convey legal matters clearly to inspire trust and confidence.

Key Responsibilities

Patent Portfolio Strategy & Management

• Create and implement strategies for global patent portfolios protecting scientific innovation and new therapeutic modalities that create durable value for the company’s R&D and commercial priorities
• Navigate the intersection of AI and biology to develop and implement value-creating IP strategies to protect AI related inventions and activities
• Drive initiatives to capture company inventions and innovation
• Counsel business stakeholders and executive leadership on freedom to operate analyses, patentability, and global regulatory exclusivities

Trademark, Copyright and Trade Secret Strategy & Management

• Implement strategies for clearance, prosecution and enforcement to ensure a robust global trademark portfolio 
• Manage trademark misuse and infringement matters
• Manage copyright obligations and infringements issues including advising the business on copyright fair use and licensing requirements
• Implement trade secret practices and protections 

Adverse Matter Oversight 

• Direct all IP litigations and adversarial proceedings

Business Development 

• Create and advise on tailored, value creating IP transactional strategies
• Lead IP due diligence and IP-related contract drafting and negotiations for licensing, acquisition, and other complex transactions

Cross-Functional Advising and Partnership

• Set standards and expectations for IP terms in licensing and other agreements.  Review and negotiate terms as needed in partnership with Procurement and other business stakeholders.
• Identify, assess, and communicate IP risks to business stakeholders.  Align on and then implement solutions to address IP risks
• Partner effectively across all business departments and within the Legal and Compliance team to ensure that IP is effectively understood, protected and managed
• Stay at the forefront of the evolving global IP laws and advise the business proactively on opportunities and risks

Team Leadership and Managerial Excellence

• Set department goals for the IP team and establish clear measurements to ensure alignment with company goals and timely and thorough delivery
• Hire, develop and retain a top intellectual property team with a culture of high performance and high integrity
• Create and manage agile IP operations that maintains meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in legal research, documentation, and compliance in a fast-paced environment
• Manage outside counsel performance and budget effectively

Core Leadership Competencies

To succeed in this highly dynamic environment, the ideal candidate must demonstrate:

• High Integrity:  You act with honesty, keep commitments, and take full accountability for your actions. You are a role model for our organizational values and adhere to ethical guidelines even under pressure.
• Dealing with Ambiguity: You thrive in the "grey areas." You effectively cope with change, shift gears comfortably, and make strategic IP decisions particularly when the underlying science or legal precedents are still emerging and undefined.
• Bias to Action:  You drive to practical solutions and have an ownership mindset.  You execute against goals and milestones with speed and quality and enable trade-offs to ensure the company goals are met.
• Managerial Courage: You lean into smart risk taking and cutting-edge approaches to creating IP value.  You embrace healthy conflict and do not shy away from difficult conversations. You provide direct, actionable feedback and are committed to the best outcome, even when it is hard. 
• Teamwork and Collaboration: You are a natural bridge-builder. You break down silos. You foster a culture of shared success and ensure IP is experienced as a strategic partner.
• Executive Presence: You command attention and inspire confidence. You distill highly complex scientific and IP law concepts into clear, concise, and business-focused recommendations for business stakeholders at all levels of the company.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Credentials:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school 
• Ph.D. in biology, chemistry or related scientific field 
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
• Admitted to California Bar or ability to qualify as Registered In-House Counsel

Experience & Technical Skills:

• 15+ years of progressive IP experience, ideally beginning in a law firm followed by significant in-house leadership experience in pharma or biotech sector.
• Deep Expertise in Global Pharmaceutical Drug Development and Commercialization: Deep knowledge and proven track record of the global pharmaceutical industry, including R&D, regulatory, manufacturing, and commercial aspects.
• Proven senior level leadership experience, including managing people/teams, working effectively cross-functionally, managing outside counsel and spend, and overseeing high volume intellectual property workflow.

The salary range for Redwood City, CA:

• Vice President: $485,500 - $571,000

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

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