Senior Director, Intellectual Property

About Pivot Bio:  

Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of the soil microbiome, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in agriculture. Our products harness the power of naturally occurring microbes to provide nutrients to crops and new sustainable ways for farmers to reduce the usage of fertilizers as they work to help feed the world’s growing population.

Read/Hear more about Pivot Bio on Forbes or PBS News Hour. 

Position:  Senior Director Intellectual Property  

Location: Berkeley preferred, remote is an option - will require travel

Pivot Bio is seeking an exceptional and motivated Senior Director of Intellectual Property who will serve as a highly collaborative leader within the legal function responsible for a broad range of intellectual property law activities arising from Pivot Bio’s R&D activities.  This position will serve as the most senior intellectual property legal advisor to the General Counsel and have primary responsibilities as the head of the IP function.  S/he will serve as a business partner, team leader, talent development, and manager of the IP legal function which will include managing all aspects of the IP legal organization.   

In this role, you will establish rapport and positive working relationships with project/program teams by acting as their advisor on a variety of IP-related issues including publication reviews, IP agreement negotiation and support, and other IP issues that arise in the usual course of a growing agriculture biotechnology business. You will advise on a wide range of IP matters, including patent preparation and prosecution, portfolio management of wholly owned and in-licensed IP, IP strategy, IP litigation, patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses.  

Responsibilities: 

• Prepare and prosecute patent applications, including building relationships within the company to identify inventions and provide guidance to management around IP filing and prosecution strategy to align with the Company’s business objectives.  
• Manage a small team of legal professionals responsible for docketing, annuities, filings for domestic and international patent applications. 
• Work closely with and manage third party collaborators and outside IP counsel. 
• Contributing to the development of consistent policies/procedures for IP disclosure and documentation. 
• Identify training needs within the organization and assist in the development and presentation of training materials on relevant IP laws and related business issues. 
• Develop and continually expand a thorough understanding of Pivot’s current and planned business activities, products, competitors, and markets and keeping abreast of developing legal trends, laws and regulations. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Minimum Qualifications:  

• A Juris Doctorate degree. 
• 10+ years of experience with patent preparation and prosecution (law firm + in-house experience).  
• Advanced degree in biology, biochemistry or related scientific degree. 
• Admitted to practice both before a state bar, as well as the USPTO. 
• Experience and direct responsibility for managing outside counsel. 
• Excellent judgment, analytical rigor, strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex subject matter. 
• Ability to work cohesively in a collaborative and distributed environment. 

Preferred: 

• PhD in molecular biology, synthetic biology, genetics, chemistry or related science. 
• Prior experience in agriculture sector. 

What we offer: 

• Competitive package in a disruptive startup 
• Stock options 
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance with employer-paid premiums 
• Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability policies 
• Employee Assistance Program with free referrals and discounts 
• 401(k) plan, 3% Match 
• Commuter benefits 
• Annual Training & Development support 
• Flexible vacation policy with a generous holiday schedule 
• Exciting opportunity to work with a talented and fun team