Legal Director

Typical Accountabilities:
• Principal accountabilities for the technical role are:

• Personally to handle a significant patent portfolio relating to business critical AZ projects and products.

• To identify project specific or business general issues requiring strategic patent development and the formulation and implementation of appropriate responsive strategies.

• To formulate strategies reflecting RA/TA objectives, to identify patent opportunities, risks and solutions and to communicate effectively with R&D clients and other senior AZ leaders on these matters.

• To act as an AZ IP contact, educator and strategist for senior leaders in assigned AZ IP client areas and to ensure that operational and strategic patent requirements in those areas are anticipated and met.

• To represent IP on cross-functional R&D governance bodies and mentor less experienced attorneys in a similar role.

• To brief senior AZ governance bodies on project specific or business general IP strategies.

• To identify and develop significant initiatives for improved AZ IP or cross-functional team working.

• To assist Senior Patent Directors in support of the IPLT to improve the efficiency of both AZ IP operation and client interaction.

• To perform expert coaching and mentoring of AZ IP attorneys commensurate with AZ Leadership Capabilities and to provide counsel in relation to their patent portfolios.

• Independently to handle significant projects assigned by the Patent Director or Senior Patent Director.

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• Principal accountabilities for the managing role are:

• Develop and implement AZ global Trademarks strategy in support of AZ Corporate and Commercial strategies

• Lead and manage a global, geographically dispersed Trademarks function delivering Trademark services across AstraZeneca

• Closely align with senior AZ leaders and engage with them on the impact of Trademark issues in their areas

• Personally handle a significant Trademarks portfolio

• Aggressively manage internal and external resources to meet budget requirements and focus on delivering the appropriate level of service, from internal and external resources, at the lowest possible cost

• Closely manage external service providers


Typical People Management Responsibility (direct / indirect reports):
• Approximate number of people managed in total (all levels) - 1-5
• Manager of a team

What is the global remit? (how many countries will the role operate in?):
• Remit which covers all AstraZeneca countries

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
• Essential: Full relevant legal qualification; Good scientific knowledge of core field; Extensive experience managing IP/TM in multiple markets and jurisdictions within pharma; Strategic IP management experience; Broad IP/TM knowledge globally; In depth experience and knowledge of a specific area of patent or trademark management; Considerable team management experience including cross-functional projects; Expert knowledge of AZ and the broader pharma landscape; Excellent communication skills; Experience managing external service providers; International management experience; Budget Management experience
• Desirable: Experience in change management and process improvement

Key Relationship to reach solutions:
• Internal (to AZ or team): Other Colleagues in the Intellectual property and legal affairs function; Members of Business, Product or Market leadership teams; Senior Leaders in R&D; Members of AstraZeneca’s Senior Management Team
• External (to AZ): External service providers; Legal experts in the IP field; Legal officials, and counsel for counter-parties in IP related law suits

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.