Principal (Intellectual Property practice)

About Charles River Associates

Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that provides economic, financial, and business management expertise to major law firms, corporations and governments around the world. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its combination of industry experience and rigorous, fact-based analysis that provide clients with clear, implementable solutions to complex business concerns.

Job Overview

In our  Intellectual Property practice, we bring analytical rigor and objectivity to all types of IP issues, whether in the context of high-stakes disputes, transactions, valuations, or compliance matters. In the dispute context, CRA is hired to quantify and provide independent, expert testimony on damages in patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright infringement matters. CRA is also hired to perform valuations of IP for the purpose of mergers and acquisitions, licensing negotiations, or tax reasons, and to evaluate strategic business decisions as they relate to a client’s intellectual property holdings.

Our Principals work in project teams with Vice Presidents and junior staff on a variety of client engagements across industries. You need a solid working knowledge of financial and economic concepts, and proven project and people management skills. We expect our project managers to learn quickly, solve problems  prioritize tasks, and communicate well with team members and clients. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Effectively plan and manage assigned projects, including supervising and being accountable for the work of other team members;
• Act as a primary point of contact for clients and assist in the presentation of our conclusions and recommendations;
• Create and develop client deliverables including expert reports summarizing our opinions;
• Independently conceptualize and identify issues, design complex financial models to analyze economic and financial data, and oversee the creation of analyses;
• Direct project team members on project scope, deliverables, and deadlines;
• Summarize key issues identified from the review by team members of client documents, analyst reports, and third party financial, market and industry data;
• Provide strategic insights to leadership team regarding project scope, budget, and staffing;
• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of analyses and opinions;
• Lead and participate in recruiting and professional development efforts, as well as other practice, office and corporate initiatives.

Minimal travel is required in the Intellectual Property practice.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (advanced degree preferred) in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related analytic discipline;
• CFA or CPA certification desirable, but not required
• 10+ years of relevant work experience in accounting or financial/economic analysis, consulting or financial services experience preferred;
• Solid working knowledge of finance, accounting, and economic methodologies;
• Proven project management and team development skills;
• Strong business development skills and a record of independently generating client engagements;
• Curious and analytic thinkers who bring creative approaches to non-standard problems;
• Effective business writing and oral communication skills;
• Demonstrated high level of initiative and leadership;
• Strong teamwork and collaboration capabilities;
• Excellent time management and detail orientation.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, please submit the following:

• Resume – please include current address, personal email and telephone number;
• Cover letter (optional) – please describe your interest in CRA and how this role matches your goals.

Career Growth and Benefits 

• CRA’s robust skills development programs , including a commitment to offering 100 hours of training annually through formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill building, training continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities.
• We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and in-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

Work Location Flexibility

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we realize that individuals realize a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently ask that individuals spend 3 to 4 days a week on average working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to a client's location), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team.

Responsible AI Use in Recruiting

We believe that recruiting is fundamentally a human process, and we are committed to a hiring process that is consistent, transparent, and people-focused. While AI and other technology-enabled tools help our team operate more efficiently, we strive to provide every candidate with a personalized, thoughtful, and high-touch experience. As CRA invests significant human effort to find qualified members for our teams, we expect candidates to invest corresponding human effort to learn about CRA, prepare thoughtful application materials, and engage with our interviewers. Read more about appropriate hiring manager, recruiting team, and candidate AI at CRA on our website .  

Our Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Salary and other compensation

A good-faith estimate of the annual base salary range for this position is $175,000 - $250,000. Starting pay within this range may vary based on factors such as education level, experience, skills, geographic location, market conditions, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position may be eligible for additional bonus incentive compensation. CRA offers a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility requirements, which may include: medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; life and disability insurance; paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays); paid parental leave; wellness programs and employee assistance resources; and commuter benefits.