Chief Intellectual Property Counsel

C3 AI is seeking a highly qualified Chief IP Counsel to join the C3 AI Legal team. The candidate will perform a broad range of legal work, with a focus on obtaining, protecting, and enforcing C3 AI’s intellectual property assets, including patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights. The Chief IP Counsel will work closely with the Products, R&D, and Data Science teams, and will advise members of management on various issues within assigned areas. The Chief IP Counsel will report to the General Counsel.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and strategically manage C3 AI’s worldwide intellectual property portfolio, encompassing patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of IP professionals and outside counsel, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive IP strategy that aligns with C3 AI’s corporate objectives, ensuring the development and protection of high-quality intellectual property.
• Oversee invention sessions, invention disclosure selection, patent application drafting and filing, and patent prosecution.
• Identify opportunities to optimize C3 AI’s IP portfolio, including licensing, monetization, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with business leaders, R&D teams, and product departments to ensure that IP strategies and initiatives are aligned with corporate objectives.
• Identify and negotiate inbound IP licenses as necessary.
• Manage and/or assist in IP disputes, including litigations, oppositions, post-grant reviews, etc.
• Develop and manage the annual IP budget, optimizing investments and costs.
• Educate employees and leadership on IP-related matters, fostering a culture of IP awareness and compliance.
• Be ready to roll up your sleeves and wear multiple hats to help the company grow.
• Actively manage and coach direct reports by encouraging professional and personal development, leading by example and nurturing individual growth to optimize team performance.

Requirements:

• A proven track record of success in senior IP leadership roles, with a deep understanding of intellectual property law, including setting high-level IP strategy, non-infringement, and invalidity analyses, IP due diligence, contract IP term negotiation and assessment, and licensing negotiations.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement long-term IP strategies that align with corporate goals.
• Proven leadership and management skills, with the ability to lead and motivate a high-performing team of IP professionals.
• A strong understanding of the business environment and the ability to apply legal knowledge to solve complex business challenges.
• Experience working in a global environment and collaborating with diverse teams across different cultures.
• Excellent negotiation and persuasion skills, with the ability to effectively represent C3 AI’s interests in licensing negotiations, litigation, and other IP-related matters.
• A solid understanding of technologies relevant to C3 AI, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and software coding.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with senior executives, internal stakeholders, and external partners.

Qualifications:

• JD from top law school; active membership in at least one U.S. State bar; registered or eligible to be registered with the California Bar; registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office.
• Degree in computer science or related field
• 15+ years of experience in intellectual property law, including 3+ years at a premier law firm.  Prior in-house IP leadership experience required.
• A track record of successfully developing and implementing IP strategies that have driven significant business value.
• Experience managing complex IP litigation and dispute resolution matters.
• A strong understanding of machine-learning software technology and the ability to apply legal knowledge to complex technical issues.
• Expertise in drafting and reviewing patent applications, as well as managing outside patent prosecution counsel.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team of legal professionals and collaborate effectively with other departments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be a motivated self-starter able to multi-task in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively across diverse teams, while meeting deadlines and taking ownership of projects.
• Deep substantive knowledge of enterprise software, SaaS, PaaS and other software.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and integrity in all legal matters.

Preferred Qualifications:

• C3 AI is a culture of “doers.” Employees at all levels are willing to roll up their sleeves to get things done.  This individual is a team player who embodies those ideals and doesn’t hesitate to jump in and solve difficult problems.
• Ability to juggle and manage multiple priorities. Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• A high-energy individual who inspires others through clarity and conviction of a shared vision.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide array of personalities and operating styles. This person has exceptional interpersonal skills and keen self-awareness.
• Someone with crisp, precise verbal and written communication and skills who is capable of delivering data-driven messages to the executive team and other internal and external constituents.
• A hard-working individual who leads from the front.
• A dynamic, adaptable individual capable of pivoting quickly. While this person needs to be hands-on, s/he is equally capable of taking a step back to ensure other team members are executing towards greater strategic goals.
• An individual who possesses a strong moral compass and understands the importance of ethics in business. Authentic integrity comes naturally for strong leaders; C3 AI believes this is an essential attribute for every employee at the company.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future company sponsorship.