Director, Intellectual Property Permanent

In its new agency start-up phase, Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) is seeking a Director, Intellectual Property to provide leadership in the strategic oversight and operational delivery of IP services through the development and execution of intellectual property strategies and stakeholder relations. 

Reporting to the VP, Intellectual Property, you will support IPON through the day-to-day management of client intake and assistance and work directly with agency staff, companies, clients and other stakeholders to provide IP advice and expertise.  

Responsibilities include:  

• Assisting with oversight of the technical IP work, including Patent Portfolio Managers, IP Intelligence Specialists, Voucher Program, Client Liaison Officer, and Account Managers.   
• Promoting the oversight of IPON’s membership and technical IP services. 
• Engaging with client service navigation and access supports, the voucher program for IP Rights Generation and IP Strategy and Expert Advisory services. 
• Participating in the development of IPON’s strategic plans, yearly business plans and annual reports, and ensuring the long-term IP strategy service goals and objectives are met.  
• Working across the agency to ensure that services offered have high client utilization and providing routine data, metric reporting, key performance indicators, and any other relevant statistics that support the value of the program.   

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following:  

• Postsecondary degree in engineering, science, or a field relevant to intellectual property. 
• Law degree (proven and demonstrated experience as an IP lawyer in law firm or in-house), or similar accreditation, or hands-on experience (i.e., patent agent, in-house IP executive, or IP consultant servicing clients with complex IP needs). 
• Proven and demonstrated progressive experience in the provision of leadership in the development of IP strategies.  
• Significant experience working with teams to identify and protect IP, including developing patent applications (i.e., patent agent, in-house IP executive, or IP consultant servicing clients with complex IP needs). 
• Demonstrated “hands on” experience in interfacing with executives, and advising other business stakeholders on IP rights. 
• Previous involvement with start-up, scaleup or activities/organizations providing both strategic and ‘hands-on’ support for IP needs or advice. 
• Strong communication and stakeholder relationship management skills with the ability to influence and build consensus to enlist support for new ideas. 
• Strong analytical, strategic and lateral thinking and conceptualizing skills. 

IPON is in the start up stage and anticipates being a hybrid agency, with the main office location to be determined shortly. IPON offers a compensation, benefits and pension package commensurate with experience.  

HOW TO APPLY: Click on the ‘apply for job’ button above to apply by the closing date of January 9, 2023 (candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis). If you have questions or require accommodation, please contact Heather Lockie at 416-237-1500 x.237 or heather.lockie@hra.on.ca.  IPON is an inclusive employer which respects equity, inclusion, diversity and anti-racism. Accommodation, if required, will be provided throughout the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.