Executive Director, Global Intellectual Property Policy

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.

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) seeks an Executive Director, Global Intellectual Property Policy-a strategic leader to drive the company’s global IP policy initiatives, represent BMS externally in the IP community, and provide high-level guidance on emerging legislative, regulatory, and policy developments impacting BMS’s innovative portfolio worldwide. Reporting directly to the SVP, Innovation Law, this executive will design and execute IP advocacy strategies in partnership with the Government Affairs Team to advance BMS’s mission of delivering transformative medicines to patients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement global IP policy strategies aligned with BMS’s objectives, anticipating and responding to rapidly evolving IP legislative, regulatory, and policy environments across key markets.
• Partner closely with Global Government Affairs team to advocate for pro-IP policy with key stakeholders globally, and with local colleagues within Innovation Law on ex-US policy initiatives.  
• Represent BMS in industry associations (e.g., BIO, PhRMA, IFPMA, IPO) and with government agencies, policymakers, and multilateral organizations to shape global IP policy and advocacy positions.
• Advise executive leadership and cross-functional teams (Legal, R&D, Commercial, Regulatory, Public Affairs) on the business impact of global IP laws, treaties, and policy proposals, with emphasis on patent, data/market exclusivity, trade secrets, and technology transfer.
• Coordinate BMS positions and external advocacy on major global issues such as biosimilars, TRIPS Flexibilities, patent term extensions, compulsory licensing, digital health, AI-generated inventions, and anti-counterfeiting.
• Build and maintain high-level relationships with key external stakeholders and thought leaders in the IP policy arena.
• Track, analyze, and communicate global IP policy developments, risks, and opportunities to leadership, proactively recommending responsive business, policy, and legal strategies.
• Support responses to government inquiries, white papers, and consultations on IP law reform, including preparation of comments, statements, and testimony.
• Drive internal education and awareness initiatives on global IP policy trends and ensure stakeholder alignment on BMS’s positions.
• Contribute to management of key policy and advocacy budgets and ensure operational excellence in external engagement.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in life sciences or law (JD or equivalent), with strong preference for experience in both.
• Minimum 12 years’ relevant experience in global IP law, policy, or government affairs, with a focus on pharmaceutical innovation.
• Demonstrated record of leadership in IP policy, advocacy, or specialized legal practice within a multinational pharmaceutical/biotech company or major industry association.
• In-depth understanding of global IP legal frameworks, including patent, regulatory data protection, exclusivity regimes, and international agreements (e.g., TRIPS, WIPO, EU directives).
• Expertise in the U.S., EU, and key ex-U.S. policy environments impacting pharmaceutical IP rights.
• Significant experience engaging and influencing senior-level external audiences, including regulators, legislators, and trade groups.
• Superior communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills; ability to clearly articulate complex IP issues to diverse internal and external audiences.
• Proven track record of contributing to enterprise strategy and aligning policy with business objectives.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, matrixed environment, bringing cross-cultural awareness and professional agility.

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.

The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. 

Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.

Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect and may include the following: Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care. Wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP). Financial well-being resources and a 401(K). Financial protection benefits such as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection and survivor support. Work-life programs include paid national holidays and optional holidays, Global Shutdown Days between Christmas and New Year’s holiday, up to 120 hours of paid vacation, up to two (2) paid days to volunteer, sick time off, and summer hours flexibility. Parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military leave. Family care services such as adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, fertility/infertility benefits, support for traveling mothers, and child, elder and pet care resources. Other perks like tuition reimbursement and a recognition program.

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.

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.

BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.

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/

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