IP Head for Global Research

The Head of IP for Global Research is the key IP business partner for the CSL Head of Global Research. This role is responsible for leading and overseeing development and execution of IP strategy for CSL Global Research and including the CSL’s early research and development portfolio (S0-SG3).

The position will lead and oversee global management of intellectual property matters in respect of CSL’s internal and partnered Research programs across all platforms and sites globally — including recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, plasma proteins, mRNA technologies, and emerging new modalities.  Additionally, this position is responsible for overseeing and managing IP evaluations and support for external pre-clinical New Product Opportunities led by global Research.

The position is the key IP advisor to Research leadership, including Head of Research, Head Drug Discovery, Research Therapeutic Area Leads for all TA’s (Haematology, Transplant & Immunology, Cardiovascular & Renal, Vaccines and Ig), and Research External Innovation.  Additionally, this role will be a strategic IP partner for senior R&D leadership, including the Head of R&D, Head of R&D Portfolio Development and Head of R&D Search, especially for Research programs and platforms.

This role is integral to developing, defending, deal making and enforcing the organization's global patent portfolio, global Trade Secrets portfolio and other types of exclusivity rights, as well as ensuring compliance with intellectual property laws, especially within Research – setting programs and pipeline products up for long term success.

It integrates the responsibilities of previous IP Platform Leads for i) Recombinant Proteins and ii) Gene, Cell Therapies & mRNA, with expanded responsibilities as a key senior business partner and additional leadership responsibilities within Global IP and Global Legal, as well as representing IP in R&D governance and portfolio management forums. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES  

• Key IP Business Partner for Head of Research, CSL Research Leadership Team, and key stakeholders across CSL R&D; responsible for leading and overseeing development and execution of IP strategy and related enterprise-wide IP objectives aligned with CSL Research
• Lead and manage a cross-functional team of attorneys and IP experts to deliver IP strategy and advice (as required) to management and other stakeholders, including leading a specialised team of Research-platform aligned patent attorneys as well as working with outside attorneys to deliver an enterprise-wide IP strategy that supports and safeguards CSL’s Global R&D activities
• Lead and deliver a range of strategic initiatives, education initiatives and practice initiatives, especially initiatives aligned to preclinical Research activities (i.e. diligence, transactions, IP education)
• Oversee identification and harvesting of inventions relating to CSL Research activities and projects as well as core platform technologies within Research, including capturing and building robust IP positions for CSL’s lead product candidates 
• Oversee and supporting the prosecution, defence and enforcement of CSL intellectual property, including building and safeguarding of a patent portfolio tailored to CSL’s Research activities with respect to pending applications and granted patents taking into account national and international laws and guidelines 
• Oversee and manage third-party risk assessment and freedom to operate (FTO) analysis for Research activities, projects and core platform technologies within Research, developing risk mitigation options and solutions, communicating strategic guidance to management and other stakeholders, incorporating options and solutions into broader business strategy.
• Build and implement best practice IP partnership models to meet the needs of Global Research, including driving consistency in practice across matrixed IP team and efficiencies in service delivery.
• Overseeing the identification and preservation of Trade Secrets and collaborating with other functions within CSL to make sure these are well protected fit in the global IP strategy alongside patents and other IP rights;. 
• Strategic support, input and/or oversight of IP challenges, including patent office challenges and litigation matters, relating to platform technologies in Research; advising relevant business functions, CSL Legal Leadership team and senior stakeholders as well as instructing external counsel on such matters. 
• Lead annual IP budget planning resource allocation for the global Research IP team.
• Represent the IP function on various CSL governance bodies including Research & Early Development Committee (REDC), Research Scientific Council (RSC), Research Deals Meeting (RDM)
• Other complex tasks within the Intellectual Property function as assigned, including budget management  

Key Relationships

• Head Global Research
• Head Drug Discovery
• Head External Research Innovation, Global Research Innovation (REI)
• Research Therapeutic Area Leads across all TAs (RTALS)
• Head R&D
• Head Search
• Research Senior Leadership Group 
• Research Project and Portfolio Management 
• Product / Platform Strategy Teams
• Strategy & Business Development

JOB SPECIFICATIONS  

• Master’s degree in life sciences discipline (chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology) or a related field, preferably a PhD, or equivalent experience in scientific research  
• Qualified Patent Attorney or IP lawyer admitted to practice in at least one jurisdiction (AU, EP, DE, UK, or US preferred), or equivalent legal qualifications and experience in Intellectual Property 
• Certified patent attorney or IP lawyer with at least 20 years of experience. 
• At least 17 years post-qualification experience in Intellectual Property 
• At least 5 years of experience with life science technologies and operations of in-house IP teams with a comprehensive background in at least one technical field relevant to CSL Behring business, including plasma proteins, recombinant proteins, immunology, vaccines, and/or gene technologies 
• Proven experience in managing an IP team within a complex organizational structure 
• Experience in due diligence, life cycle management, IP challenges and/or negotiations highly regarded  

Competencies

• Proven leadership skills, focused on building bridges and empowering teams.
• Leadership competencies that include strategic thinking, integrating external factors into patent strategy, team building, talent cultivation, and coaching
• Demonstrated business acumen with the ability to provide actionable and strategic advice. Ability to initiate, drive, lead and shape IP strategy
• Excellent organizational and planning skills and ability to deliver work to tight deadlines (if required)
• Capacity to foster environments that enhance decision-making and appropriate risk-taking, especially in patent-related matters.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, adept at simplifying complex concepts for business partners
• Strong interpersonal skills with the capacity to effectively interact with diverse groups, key internal functions, senior management, external partners, and build great relationships with people across a global business
• Agile learner, quickly adaptable to new situations and challenges.
• Thinks beyond and incorporates external factors into business strategy
• Builds bridges and empowers One-CSL teams
• Unleashes outcomes and creates an environment of decision making and appropriate risk taking
• Ignites agility and creates a nimble environment
• Inspires the future and drives the strategy throughout the organization
• Cultivates talent and takes proactive steps to secure future talent
• Problems faced often complex and undefined, requiring broad-based solutions to implement changes for area of responsibility
• Requires ability to influence others, negotiate and compromise, and ability to communicate and influence senior executive leadership

Working Conditions  

Candidates should be prepared to effectively manage commitments across different time zones 

Travel Requirements

This role may require travel to CSL sites globally

About CSL Behring

CSL Behring is a global biotherapeutics leader driven by our promise to save lives. Focused on serving patients’ needs by using the latest technologies, we discover, develop and deliver innovative therapies for people living with conditions in the immunology, hematology, cardiovascular and metabolic, respiratory, and transplant therapeutic areas. We use three strategic scientific platforms of plasma fractionation, recombinant protein technology, and cell and gene therapy to support continued innovation and continually refine ways in which products can address unmet medical needs and help patients lead full lives.

CSL Behring operates one of the world’s largest plasma collection networks, CSL Plasma. Our parent company, CSL, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, employs 32,000 people, and delivers its lifesaving therapies to people in more than 100 countries.

To learn more about CSL, CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor  visit https://www.csl.com/ and CSL Plasma at https://www.cslplasma.com/.

Our Benefits

For more information on CSL benefits visit How CSL Supports Your Well-being | CSL.

You Belong at CSL

At CSL, Inclusion and Belonging is at the core of our mission and who we are. It fuels our innovation day in and day out. By celebrating our differences and creating a culture of curiosity and empathy, we are able to better understand and connect with our patients and donors, foster strong relationships with our stakeholders, and sustain a diverse workforce that will move our company and industry into the future.

 To learn more about inclusion and belonging visit https://www.csl.com/careers/inclusion-and-belonging

Equal Opportunity Employer

CSL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please visit https://www.csl.com/accessibility-statement.