Head of Intellectual Property

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People. At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights. Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!

Head of Intellectual Property

The Head of Intellectual Property will serve as the most senior intellectual property legal advisor to the General Counsel, senior management, and business leaders. S/he will have primary responsibilities as a legal function head, business partner, team leader, talent developer, and manager of the IP legal function which will include managing all aspects of the IP legal organization and attracting and retaining a high performing, business-focused, global IP legal team. S/he will partner with the most senior leadership in the company, including the Head of R&D and Heads of Elanco’s franchises, to articulate a strategic vision for the Elanco IP portfolio and drive essential wins in IP portfolio development. The successful candidate will demonstrate keen legal insights and business discernment and effectively apply expertise in intellectual property areas including exclusivity strategy, defense, creation and advice; IP portfolio procurement, management, and maintenance; freedom to operate opinions; IP licensing and due diligence, and the interface between intellectual property rights and regulatory regimes, trademark monetization and protection. S/he will be the primary manager of the legal department’s relationship with the R&D and marketing organizations to define business needs, risks and opportunities, and work with leadership teams to explore and evaluate solutions, make recommendations and build consensus and commitment as related to intellectual property and exclusivity matters.

Basic Qualifications

• J.D. from Accredited Law School
• 15+ Years of IP, Patent, Trademark related legal experience

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the company’s global intellectual property legal function to ensure business objectives by developing, implementing, and executing exclusivity strategies.
• Serve as a business partner
• Proactively provide creative and practical legal and business advice related to IP to help drive favorable business outcomes.
• Leverage legal expertise and business judgment to counsel business leaders on wide-ranging IP issues including IP procurement, contracts, freedom to operate, and litigation.
• Act as primary advisor to the VP of R&D and the VP of the Elanco business franchises on intellectual property matters.
• Stay abreast of changes in intellectual property law, and differences in the law across countries/regions, and anticipating implications for Elanco businesses over time.
• Manage the IP legal function financial resources by monitoring the operating budget of the IP legal function.
• Lead, manage and guide in-house IP lawyers and other IP legal department employees globally to optimize the performance and capabilities of individuals and the IP team.
• Lead and support critical business projects or initiatives, which include performing or overseeing IP due diligence; evaluating IP risks; harnessing internal innovation and develop IP strategy for new ideas, leading or overseeing cross-functional initiatives at the request of the General Counsel; negotiating IP terms in business transactions

Preferred Experience & Expertise

• Broad legal experience: A J.D. from an accredited law school, 15+ years of legal experience, ideally with a combination of top-tier law firm training and in-house roles of increasing responsibility (required). Experience working in the healthcare or pharmaceutical industry is a major plus. Licensed to practice before the USPTO and a member in good standing of at least one state bar.
• IP specific experience: Track record leading and managing an IP function, establishing strategy and successfully driving execution of key priorities and objectives. Experience across a broad range of IP, patent and trademark matters, including executing negotiating licensing agreements and overseeing IP related litigation. Experience with or exposure to IP issues and practices outside the United States, a strong plus.
• Business acumen and stakeholder management: Forward-thinking business partner who is experienced serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and senior business leaders with the ability to work in a highly collaborative manner with both internal and external stakeholders as well as a dispersed global team. Ability to interpret product exclusivity and its impact on revenue and profit growth in different business models and to see beyond the specific concerns of IP in service of the most important strategic business goals of the company. Experience navigating a complex organization, especially with having the Research & Development team as the biggest internal client.
• Culture Fit & Values Alignment Leadership and team: Experience recruiting, hiring, managing, developing and retaining legal talent. Ability to inspire others, and set clear and challenging goals and expectations; monitor progress and celebrate success. A strong people orientation, emotional intelligence, and sensitivity to cultural diversity.
• Integrity and personality: Track record of strong personal and professional integrity and honesty; high emotional intelligence, open and transparent, commitment to building a sustainable, profitable business while meeting the highest ethical standards. High level of energy, enthusiasm, grit and motivation, as well as a desire to win. Exceptional communication skills, with poise and confidence to quickly earn the trust of others. Strong analytical and conceptual reasoning skills; handle complexity well with sound judgment. Great cross-functional and cross-team collaboration skills.

Additional Information

• Location: Indianapolis, IN - Global Headquarters Hybrid

Elanco Benefits and Perks

• Multiple relocation packages
• Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
• 8-week parental leave
• 9 Employee Resource Groups
• Annual bonus offering
• Flexible work arrangements
• Up to 6% 401K matching

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ CSR framework – all to advance the health of animals, people and the planet. Learn more at

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