Director, Intellectual Property

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities, creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. 

• Estimated annual base pay: $203,000(minimum) - $244,000(midpoint) - $284,000(maximum)
• Equity

All Levels are eligible for the benefits below:

• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity. 
• 401(k) match (4.5%)
• Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
• Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members  
• 12 paid holidays, including floating holidays. 
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave. 
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption Assistance  
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits. 
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life 
• Member referral bonus 
• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending 
• Voluntary benefits, including:  
  • Home / Auto Insurance discounts 
  • Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave 

 Are you ready to make your mark? If you’re a Intellectual Property leader, we have an exciting opportunity for you.  Provide strategic intellectual property (IP) legal leadership for Woodward’s Aerospace segment by identifying and managing IP-related risks and opportunities, advising business and engineering stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This role leads the drafting, review, and negotiation of IP and development agreements; implements the enterprise IP strategy and program within the Aerospace segment; oversees IP harvesting, processing, protection, and asset management (including managing outside counsel) within the Aerospace segment; supports M&A transactions through IP due diligence and risk identification; and mentors/educates team members to strengthen IP awareness and execution across the organization.

What You Will Be Doing 

• Segment Strategic Legal Leadership: Provide strategic and practical IP guidance to the Aerospace segment and overall organization by identifying legal risks and opportunities, ensuring that all business activities comply with applicable laws and regulations.
• Contract Management: Oversee and assist in the drafting, review, and negotiation of all IP and development agreements to protect the company’s IP interests and mitigate potential liabilities within the Aerospace segment.
• Risk Management: Identify potential IP related risks related to business operations and develop strategies and solutions to manage and minimize those risks effectively.
• IP Strategy and Program Implementation: Implement the enterprise-wide IP strategy and IP program within Aerospace segment.
• Team Development and Education: Mentor and educate Woodward members about IP strategy and program, fostering a collaborative environment with Engineering and other departments within the Aerospace segment.
• Manage outside counsel support of IP asset management within the Aerospace segment.
• Manage the harvesting, processing, and protecting of intellectual property within the Aerospace segment.
• Support M&A transactions in performing due diligence and identifying risks associated with the acquisition and divestment of IP assets.

What We Are Looking For 

• Legal Expertise: Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of relevant IP laws, regulations, and legal precedents to effectively guide the organization’s IP strategy implementation.
• Strategic Thinking: Develops and implements long-term legal strategies that align with the company’s business objectives and mitigate potential risks.
• Leadership: Provides strong leadership to the legal team, fostering a collaborative environment and ensuring high performance and professional growth.
• Risk Management: Identifies, assesses, and mitigates IP legal risks to protect the organization from potential liabilities and ensure compliance.
• Negotiation Skills: Expertly negotiates contracts, licenses, and agreements to secure favorable outcomes for the organization.
• Communication: Communicates complex legal concepts clearly and effectively to stakeholders, including executives, employees, and external partners.
• Project Management: Manages multiple legal projects efficiently, ensuring deadlines are met and resources are effectively allocated.
• Ethical Judgment: Upholds the highest ethical standards, ensuring the organization’s actions comply with legal and moral guidelines.
• Adaptability: Stays current with evolving laws and industry trends, adapting legal strategies to address new challenges and opportunities.

Other Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school is required. Candidates must be licensed to practice law in the relevant country and jurisdiction(s).
• Registered as a Patent Attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Successful Candidates Will Typically Have:

• At least 10 years of experience.
• Aerospace and/or manufacturing experience.
• In-house experience.

Application window is anticipated to close 30 days from original posting date.

This information is provided in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and is the company’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation range and benefits offered for this position. The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job-related reasons.

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).   All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.

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