Position Title:  Senior Counsel, Patents

Be a part of a revolutionary change!

At Philip Morris International (PMI), we’ve chosen to do something incredible. We’re totally transforming our business and building our future on one clear purpose – to deliver a smoke-free future.

With huge change, comes huge opportunity. So, if you join us, you’ll enjoy the freedom to dream up and deliver better, brighter solutions and the space to move your career forward in endlessly different directions. Our success depends on people who are committed to our purpose and have an appetite for progress.

The Senior Counsel, U.S. Patents, will bring substantial leadership experience within the Legal Department and demonstrate sound judgment in providing strategic guidance to business and functional leaders across the organization. This role involves handling a variety of moderately complex to complex legal matters and leading teams and projects. Responsibilities include providing day-to-day legal counsel on a broad range of intellectual property issues, including patents, copyrights, licensing agreements, non-disclosure agreements, consulting agreements, technology transfer agreements, joint development and research agreements, technology licenses, and other related contracts.

Your ‘day to day’:

• Partners with internal clients to create proactive strategies designed to avoid or minimize exposure to legal liability.
• Helps business partners accurately understand the risks and consequences of the given situation or course of action. 
• Effectively communicates the risks and the consequences and develops alternatives to manage identified risks.
• Identifies and analyzes legal issues, drafts key documents, presents clear recommendations and ensures legal compliance as it relates to the noted areas of law.
• Represents the company’s position before responsible government agencies and regulatory bodies in the jurisdictions which PMI operates regarding the noted areas of law.
• Stays current with legal developments, best practices and benchmarks in the noted areas of law and assists internal clients in implementing policies and procedures in response thereto.
• Maintains a culture with a high degree of emphasis on dignity, respect, and inclusion.
• Independently lead workstreams that are focused on building, maintenance of, and defense of, specific patent portfolios
• Actively counsel members of Research & Development organizations to identify new inventions as well as devise and implement strategies for patent protection over the extended product development life cycle
• Build and implement global strategic approaches toward building patent portfolios and contributing to increased business value
• Prepare and prosecute patent applications worldwide including effectively managing outside counsel as needed
• Lead all aspects of large intellectual property estates in PMI`s core and opportunistic product areas to include Beyond Nicotine
• Evaluate and monitor patent portfolios of third parties
• Develop and communicate IP guidance to partners across the business, including within R&D, Strategy, Life Sciences, Consumer / Commercial and legal
• Review and analyze license agreements and other contracts
• Provide IP and technical analysis in support of patent litigation
• Work cross-functionally to provide IP guidance and support to other members of functional and regional legal teams
• Maintains effective working relationships with outside counsel.

Who we’re looking for:

• Juris doctor and licensed to practice law in a locale where PMI operates.
• Advanced degree in relevant scientific / engineering area associated with assigned role.
• At least 8 years of concentrated experience which demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and applied understanding of area of expertise; both in house and major law firm experience preferred.
• Previous managerial and leadership experience preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple, conflicting priorities while managing a substantial workload and client expectations.
• Experience of working successfully in a highly results-oriented and performance-driven environment with a focus on excellence.
• Ability to maintain an appropriate perspective regardless of the delicacy or pressure of a situation.
• Robust interpersonal, networking, public speaking, and writing skills, with the confidence and credibility to act quickly, communicate effectively with diplomacy and civility, and command respect of both internal and external audiences.
• Proven ability to think strategically and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to oversee complex projects and lead them to successful completion in an organized, efficient, and effective manner.
• Ability to lead and work in a multi-disciplinary setting to achieve consensus.
• Attention to detail.
• Legally authorized to work in the US.

 Annual Base Salary Range: $217,500-$290,000

What we offer  

• We offer a competitive base salary, annual bonus (applicable based on level of position), great medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k with a generous company match, incredible wellness benefits, commuter benefits, pet insurance, generous PTO, and much more!  
• We have implemented Smart Work, a hybrid model of working that promotes flexibility in the workplace. 
• Seize the freedom to define your future and ours. We’ll empower you to take risks, experiment and explore.
• Be part of an inclusive, diverse culture where everyone’s contribution is respected; Collaborate with some of the world’s best people and feel like you belong.
• Pursue your ambitions and develop your skills with a global business – our staggering size and scale provides endless opportunities to progress.
• Take pride in delivering our promise to society: To improve the lives of millions of smokers.

PMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

PMI is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., and its U.S. affiliates have more than 2,300 employees.  

PMI has been an entirely separate company from Altria and Philip Morris USA since 2008. PMI’s affiliates first entered the U.S. market following the company’s acquisition of Swedish Match in late 2022. Philip Morris International and its U.S. affiliates are working to deliver a smoke-free future. Since 2008, PMI has invested $12.5 billion globally to develop, scientifically substantiate and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke with the goal of transitioning legal-age consumers who smoke to better alternatives. In 2022, PMI acquired Swedish Match – a leader in oral nicotine delivery – creating a global smoke-free champion led by the IQOS and ZYN brands. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized versions of PMI’s IQOS electronically heated tobacco devices and Swedish Match’s General snus as Modified Risk Tobacco Products and renewal applications for these products are presently pending before the FDA. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com/us and www.pmiscience.com.