We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 21 Nov 2024

At Medtronic you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovation, while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You’ll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world.

A Day in the Life

The IP Director, Neuromodulation will be responsible for (a) leading, mentoring and developing a talented team of IP attorneys supporting the Neuromodulation and Pelvic Health Operating Units, (b) working closely with business and legal leaders to provide advice and strategic direction on key IP issues, and (c) strategic management of the Neuromodulation patent portfolio to support the business’s growth initiatives and business objectives.

As a member of the Neuroscience Portfolio IP Leadership Team, this individual must be a highly motivated self-starter who is comfortable both collaborating as part of a larger team at the senior leadership level and working independently to provide support for complex, fast-moving businesses. The ability to deliver clear, concise, and actionable legal advice to business leaders and executive management is essential. If managing attorneys and fostering their growth is important to you, this is an excellent opportunity. Further, you and your team are expected to build IP strategies, see them through to execution, advise on complex IP legal issues, and contribute to a collaborative and successful IP legal culture.

We believe that when people from different backgrounds and points of view come together, innovation is the result —and everyone wins. Medtronic walks the walk, creating an inclusive culture where you can thrive.

This position can reside in Lafayette, CO; Santa Rosa, CA, Minneapolis, MN or any of our other US Medtronic office locations. Consideration for remote opportunities may be considered for exceptionally qualified candidates.

Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned.

IP Leadership

• Mentor and guide the development of talented IP attorneys supporting the Neuromodulation & Pelvic Health Operating Units.
• Develop strategic relationships with operating unit leaders, marketing, business development, and R&D to integrate IP into the overall operating unit strategy and provide IP advice and counsel
• Educate key internal stakeholders on IP activities, competition, and outcomes of IP strategy execution
• Develop strategic relationships with and manage outside counsel to accomplish key deliverables on time and on budget
• Partner across the IP team to share and leverage insights and best practices; partner with IP COEs (litigation, BD, trademarks, data/AI, and patent portfolio strategy) to deliver optimal outcomes
• Partner across multiple legal functions to coordinate and align on a cohesive legal strategy for the OU
• Model the Medtronic Mindset – act boldly; compete to win; move with speed and decisiveness; foster belonging; and deliver results the right way

Protect Medtronic’s Pipeline

• Develop and implement a global patent portfolio strategy; oversee the preparation and prosecution of patent applications and patent maintenance decisions in support of the global business strategy
• Manage IP risk for Medtronic’s pipeline; perform global freedom to operate evaluations, including preparing or obtaining opinions
• Protect Medtronic’s highest value R&D investments by prioritizing filings with the highest level of impact
• Demonstrate appropriate technical acumen

Support Medtronic’s Ability to Compete

• Analyze and develop actionable IP portfolios directed at competitors; mine current portfolio and identify third party portfolios for possible acquisition
• Perform claims analysis, construction, and drafting
• Ensure ongoing awareness of competitors’ products, activities, and IP portfolios
• Consult on, draft, and negotiate agreements and contract clauses, as needed, to support business operations
• Conduct benchmarking activities for IP portfolio valuation and budget allocations
• Operate within budget constraints for outside counsel and third-party vendor spend

Grow Medtronic’s Business

• Lead IP due diligence for mergers and acquisitions with a solution-focused approach
• Assist in the drafting and negotiation of agreements involving the transfer or licensing of intellectual property
• Manage stakeholder expectations through proactive and clear communications 
• Direct brainstorming and make filing decisions to ensure expansive protection of new technologies and therapies, including ensuring coverage of whitespace
• Partner with portfolio strategy, upstream marketing, business development and competitive intelligence functions to perform landscaping activities for future opportunities

MUST HAVE: MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctor from a recognized, accredited U.S. law school
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a Science Field
• 8+ years of IP legal experience
• 7+ years of management experience
• Licensed to practice in at least one state or the District of Columbia
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

NICE TO HAVE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering or similar scientific disciplines
• Medical device experience
• Both in-house and law firm experience
• Excellent judgment, strong strategic and analytical thinking, and ability to work on multiple projects at the same time
• Able to thrive in ambiguity and make decisions amidst multiple, competing demands
• Understanding of business concepts, strategies, and risks
• Demonstrated strong collaboration and relationship-building skills to work across stakeholders at all levels of an organization
• Excellent written, verbal, and listening communications skills, including the ability to develop compelling presentations, engage senior leaders with confidence, and distill complex information into business language
• Experience in managing a significant workload, with the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize across multiple tasks while remaining organized

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position. 

The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

Benefits & Compensation
 

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package
A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create.We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.
 

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$211,200.00 - $316,800.00This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).This position is eligible for an annual long-term incentive plan.

Medtronic benefits and compensation plans

About Medtronic

We lead global healthcare technology and boldly attack the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions.
Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people. 
We are engineers at heart— putting ambitious ideas to work to generate real solutions for real people. From the R&D lab, to the factory floor, to the conference room, every one of us experiments, creates, builds, improves and solves. We have the talent, diverse perspectives, and guts to engineer the extraordinary.

Learn more about our business, mission, and our commitment to diversity here.

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.