Senior Counsel, Innovation Law, Patents

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Position Summary

Bristol-Myers Squibb is seeking a Senior Counsel to join our Innovation Law Group, reporting to the Head of IP European and International markets. The role will be located in our Steinhausen or Boudry office in Switzerland.

Having applicable experience in prosecution of small and/or large molecules an ideally in patent litigation, the Attorney will assist in the development, implementation, and execution of IP strategies to provide strong legal positions for the European markets in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.

The role requires to work in close collaboration with other members of the Innovation Law group and markets as well as to build strong client relationships to provide IP advice to a variety of clients across the company.       

This commercially oriented position has a direct influence and impact for the IP strategy and practice in some of the major markets for the company.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and support key IP activities in Europe, including contributing to IP disputes, legal proceedings, EP oppositions & prosecution strategies.

• Advise on new PCT filings and European patent applications.

• Proactively monitor, review and contribute to European IP related to strategic assets, through in-depth IP expertise and market knowledge.

• Provide IP counselling and support to commercialization teams on patent, regulatory data exclusivity, and other IP issues for various markets, such as in Latin America markets.

• Support IP diligences in transaction, in-licensing opportunities, and inter-company agreements.

• Foster an IP culture and develop, implement, and provide IP trainings to BMS business units.   

Qualification & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in chemistry or biology with an advanced degree and/or scientific research experience in life sciences.  
• 5 years or more of experience as fully qualified European Patent Attorney at a law firm or in-house legal department.  
• A minimum patent litigation experience.
• The candidate must be fluent in both written and spoken English and fluent; at least one other EPO official language would be an asset.
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Well-developed research and critical thinking skills, and sound decision-making abilities, with attention-to-detail to produce consistently accurate work.
• A positive attitude, the ability to work independently and across business functions with teams across multiple time zones.
• Highest integrity, excellent judgment and the ability to proactively recognize and effectively assess business risk and communicate legal issues to patent, legal and general management.
• International travels when required.

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture, promoting global participation in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

On-site Protocol

BMS has an occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Data Protection

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R1600826 : Senior Counsel, Innovation Law, Patents