Vice President of Licensing – Irvine, California (967-SLS)

Job description

Our client, a leading innovator in high-performance memory solutions and enterprise-class storage products, is looking for a Vice President of Licensing to lead all aspects of the company’s global patent licensing and IP monetization strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO, the VP of Licensing will drive global patent licensing and collaborate with IP strategy, litigation, and patent portfolio leadership to protect and monetize the company’s IP portfolio. ### Role and Responsibilities - Lead the company’s global patent licensing and IP monetization strategy, collaborating with IP strategy, litigation, and patent portfolio leadership on related enforcement, litigation, and portfolio management matters. - Lead the end-to-end patent licensing process, including target identification, technical and legal claim analysis, coordination of claim chart development, portfolio valuation, leading licensing meetings with prospective licensees, agreement execution, and post-signing relationship management. - Lead the negotiation and execution of complex patent licenses, settlement agreements, cross-licenses, non-disclosure agreements, and related agreements that support IP monetization objectives. - Collaborate with IP litigation leadership on global patent litigation strategy, including high-stakes infringement matters, post-grant proceedings, and Inter Partes Reviews. - Collaborate with IP strategy and patent portfolio leadership, internal engineering teams, and external patent counsel to provide licensing and market feedback that informs patent portfolio development, acquisitions, and new patent filings. - Manage external consultants supporting licensing valuation, market analysis, target assessment, and strategy. - Serve as the executive liaison for licensing and IP monetization matters, providing strategic counsel to senior leadership and the Board of Directors. ### Desired Experience and Qualifications - *Juris Doctor* from an accredited law school and admission to the California Bar or eligible for RIHC. - 15+ years of experience in intellectual property law, including significant senior leadership responsibility for intellectual property licensing and IP monetization. Strong preference for candidates with experience in the semiconductor or memory industries. - Demonstrated success driving licensing outcomes in complex patent enforcement environments, including matters involving litigation and strategic licensing resolutions. - Deep IP legal and licensing expertise related to semiconductor technologies, including DRAM, NAND, and high-performance memory architectures and their associated IP landscapes. - Proven record of negotiating and executing high-value licensing agreements with major technology companies. - Experience managing external advisors, including counsel and consultants, and collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams. - Exceptional communication, negotiation, and advisory skills with the ability to influence executive stakeholders and external partners. - Strategic, business-oriented judgment with the ability to balance IP enforcement, licensing revenue, and long-term business objectives.