Director, Patent Operations
A prestigious, innovation-driven global law firm is seeking aDirector, Patent Operationsto lead the strategic and operational vision for its high-performing Patent Practice Group. This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence, scaling global workflows, and partnering with firm leadership to shape the long-term infrastructure of a world-class IP practice. This role will be hybrid and can sit in Boston, DC, NYC, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Santa Monica, or Seattle. Base pay range
$225,000 - $280,000 per year.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and execute the operational strategy for the Patent Practice Group across all U.S. offices. Drive multi-year planning, workflow optimization, and scalable process design (including Patricia and 3rd-party tools).Oversee all patent operations teams—docketing, international filings, and legal support (13 total direct reports).Establish and enforce firmwide operational standards, metrics, and best practices. Lead major change initiatives involving technology implementation, restructuring, and process redesign. Partner with Finance, IT, HR, Risk, and IP leadership to ensure seamless operational integration. Manage patent technology platforms and key vendor relationships. Deliver executive-level reporting using KPIs and operational data to inform strategy and performance. Serve as a thought leader on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.
Qualifications:
10+ years in patent prosecution operations, with 5-7+ years in senior leadership.
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or certifications (MBA, PMP, Lean Six Sigma) preferred.
Deep expertise in U.S. and foreign patent processes, prosecution workflows, and docketing systems.
Proven experience scaling and transforming operations for large, global IP teams.
Strong leadership skills with success managing managers and multi-office teams.
Exceptional communication, analytical, and stakeholder management capabilities.
Seniority Level
Director Employment Type
Full-time Job Function
Legal and Management Industries
Law Practice and Legal Services
