Vice President, Head of IP and Strategic Transactions

The Impact You’ll Make

Recursion is seeking a Head of Intellectual Property and Strategic Transactions to shape the company’s IP strategy and support high-value business development, licensing, collaboration, and platform transactions. We recognize that intellectual property is core to our remit: advancing a portfolio of differentiated medicines across wholly owned and partnered programs, enabled by an AI-native platform integrating biology, chemistry, and clinical development. The opportunity is vast and crucial, working within the intersection of law, science, and technology to drive the future of therapeutic discovery. 

The ideal candidate has deep experience with pharmaceutical patent strategy and complex life sciences transactions and is comfortable operating in a fast-moving, science-driven environment. The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues on IP protection for chemical matter, platform technology, and other discoveries as well as forming deep partnerships with our Business Development and Alliance Management teams. The role must possess integrity and sound judgment, be an analytical and creative thinker, have exceptional oral and written communication skills, and be proficient in time-management and task prioritization.  

In this role, you will:

Patent Strategy & Oversight

• Develop and lead patent prosecution and enforcement strategy to protect the company’s chemical and technological innovations
• Oversee global patent portfolio development in pharmaceuticals, including prosecution and coordination with outside counsel
• Identify emerging IP risks and opportunities in partnership with scientific and business leaders
• Provide strategic guidance on patentability, freedom to operate, and IP risk to inform R&D and business decisions
• Interpret evolving IP laws and competitive dynamics to shape portfolio and enforcement strategy

Strategic Transactions

• Advise on and support complex life sciences transactions, including collaborations, licensing, and other strategic deals
• Lead negotiation and execution of key agreements in alignment with company objectives
• Conduct and guide IP diligence for in-licensing and out-licensing activities
• Ensure IP considerations, risks, and obligations are effectively integrated into transactional strategy
• Advise internal stakeholders on IP-related risks, compliance, and business implications across partnerships while promoting strong IP practices and innovation awareness

The Team You’ll Join 

You will be joining a dynamic team of attorneys, stock administration professionals, and an IP paralegal, who you will manage. The team works closely and collaboratively with one another on overall legal strategy, departmental budget, projects, and professional development. The team relies on a communicative and supportive atmosphere to enable nimble advice and prioritization aligned with business goals.

 The Experience You’ll Need

• 10+ of experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the life sciences in the US and internationally at a law firm and in-house, including patent portfolio management
• Significant experience with supporting strategic transactions, from drafting term sheets to direct negotiations
• Leadership or managerial experience
• Deep knowledge of and experience with patent and trade secret laws, particularly in the field of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
• Ability to operate independently with scientists and business leaders to create an intellectual property portfolio aligned with company strategy
• An interest in learning about emerging trends in biotech, including the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) workflows throughout the drug development life cycle, from target identification through the clinical approval process.
• Ability to translate and communicate complex subject matter to internal stakeholders, e.g., science to nonscientists and legal materials to nonlawyers
• Registered to practice at the USPTO
• Admitted to practice in at least one state and eligible to practice law in Utah as in-house counsel

Working Location & Compensation:

This is a hybrid-based position at either of our offices located in New York City, New York, or Salt Lake City, Utah. Employees are expected to work in the office at least 50% of the time. Relocation support can be provided for candidates not local to either geographical location. 

At Recursion, we believe that every employee should be compensated fairly. Based on the skills, experience, and qualifications needed for this role, the estimated annual base salary range is:

• New York City, Boston, & San Francisco Bay Area(s): $371,470–$475,200
• Salt Lake City & all other U.S. locations: $337,700–$432,000

In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package.

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