IP Director, Structural Heart & Aortic
The IP Director, Structural Heart & Aortic will be responsible for (a) leading, mentoring and developing a talented team of IP attorneys supporting the Structural Heart & Aortic OU, (b) partnering closely with business and legal leaders to provide advice and strategic direction on key IP issues, and (c) strategic management of the Structural Heart & Aortic OU patent portfolio to support the business’s growth initiatives and business objectives.
We believe that when people from different cultures, genders, 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.
A Day in the Life
Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned.
IP Team Leadership
- Mentor and guide the development of talented IP attorneys supporting the Structural Heart & Aortic OU and across the Medtronic IP team.
- 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
- 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
- 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
About Medtronic
Together, we can change healthcare worldwide. At Medtronic, we push the limits of what technology, therapies and services can do to help alleviate pain, restore health and extend life. We challenge ourselves and each other to make tomorrow better than yesterday. It is what makes this an exciting and rewarding place to be.
We want to accelerate and advance our ability to create meaningful innovations - but we will only succeed with the right people on our team. Let’s work together to address universal healthcare needs and improve patients’ lives. Help us shape the future.
Physical Job Requirements
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, recruiter or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role. (ADA-United States of America)
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. Learn more about our benefits here.
This position is eligible for a short-term incentive plan. Learn more about Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP) here.
This position is eligible for an annual long-term incentive plan. Learn more about Medtronic Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) here.
The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others).
