Join the World's Top Legal Talent Network

A Day in the Life

The Intellectual Property Director, M&A and IP Transactions, a member of Medtronic’s IP Leadership Team, manages and sets best practices for IP-related transactions and due diligence processes across the enterprise. The position also leads a team of legal professionals that provide IP advice and support to the Corporate Development and Ventures teams, as well as operating unit legal teams, in connection with M&A projects, divestitures and structured investments. The position reports to the Vice President, IP Enterprise Strategy and Global Policy.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated self-starter with strong leadership skills who is comfortable advising senior executives and proactively providing strategic IP counseling in support of complex, high-stakes M&A deals in a fast-paced environment. The role focuses on developing, implementing and executing IP-specific strategies for due diligence investigations and contract provisions for BD and M&A projects and assists in managing transactions to reach strategic objectives within budget. This work primarily involves partnering closely with outside and in-house M&A counsel and operating unit IP counsel; engaging in and driving early evaluation and resolution of IP issues uncovered in due diligence for transactions; reviewing, revising and negotiating IP-related provisions of M&A transactions; providing advice and counsel to business units and business development teams on issues related to IP risk assessment and mitigation through effective contracting; and designing and implementing the enterprise IP M&A legal strategy.

We believe that when people from different cultures, genders, and points of view come together, innovation is the result — and everyone wins. Medtronic walks the walk, creating an inclusive culture where you can thrive.

This position can reside in Minneapolis, MN, or any other US Medtronic office location.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Mentor, manage and guide team responsible for conducting intellectual property due diligence investigations and providing other IP support in connection with business development activities, including M&A transactions, divestitures and licensing.
• Negotiate, draft, analyze and revise complex IP and technology agreements, including licenses, joint ventures and collaborations, as well as IP-related provisions of M&A and divestiture agreements.
• Advise C-suite executives, business development teams and operating unit business leaders on IP risks and issues, including infringement, validity, freedom-to-operate and ownership.
• Collaborate with other attorneys (including operating unit IP and commercial attorneys, CoE attorneys and outside counsel) and professionals in cross-functional teams to support M&A and business development activities and procedures at Medtronic.
• Create and implement policies and guidelines for IP-related transaction issues and due diligence, including developing template agreements and toolkits for in-house attorneys and driving adoption of best practices.
• Forge strong relationships with business leaders and other clients across Medtronic by proactively providing strategic, business-oriented IP advice and services.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively to achieve key deliverable on time and on budget.
• Monitoring changes to the evolving competitive landscape for medical device and healthcare technology.
• Answering questions and offering training and practical legal advice on a wide range of IP and other issues directed to M&A activities.
• Model the Medtronic Mindset – act boldly; compete to win; move with speed and decisiveness; foster belonging; and deliver results the right way.

MUST HAVE:

• Juris Doctor from a recognized, accredited U.S. Law School.
• Licensed to practice in at least one state or the District of Columbia.
• 8+ years of relevant in-house or law firm experience in intellectual property law, including substantial experience conducting and/or overseeing IP due diligence assessments, as well as drafting and negotiating IP-related provisions of M&A transactions and license agreements.
• 7+ years of managerial experience that may include people management, program management or experience managing/leading projects or any combination thereof.

NICE TO HAVE:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or other technical or scientific field.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (not essential, but strongly preferred).
• IP M&A transactional experience that includes:
  • • critically evaluating contractual changes proposed by another party and devising responses that protect client interests and achieve business objectives;
    • tailoring IP-provisions of M&A agreements to mitigate IP risks or otherwise account for relevant findings from due diligence investigations;
    • experience with effectively conducting negotiations including advising clients on negotiation strategies; and
    • knowledge of IP issues that typically arise in connection with M&A transactions and common ways to resolve them.
• Experience working with clients in the medical device industry.
• Both in-house and law firm experience.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and client service mindset.
• Excellent judgment, strong strategic and analytical thinking, and ability to work independently and collaboratively on multiple projects at the same time in a face-paced environment.
• Comfort and confidence in communicating IP advice in a clear and succinct way to all levels of management.
• Strong business and technical acumen.
• Able to thrive in ambiguity and make decisions amidst multiple, competing demands.
• Understanding of business concepts, strategies and risks.
• Demonstrated strong collaboration and relationship-building skills to work with stakeholders at all levels across an organization.
• Excellent written, verbal and listening communications skills, including the ability to develop compelling presentations, engage executives and other senior leaders with confidence, and distill complex technical and legal information into business language.
• Experience in managing a significant workload, with the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize across multiple tasks while remaining organized.

Physical Job Requirements

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position. 

The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

Benefits & Compensation

Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package

A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create.  We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.

Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$211,200.00 - $316,800.00

This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).This position is eligible for an annual long-term incentive plan.

Medtronic benefits and compensation plans

About Medtronic

We lead global healthcare technology and boldly attack the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions.
Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people. 
We are engineers at heart— putting ambitious ideas to work to generate real solutions for real people. From the R&D lab, to the factory floor, to the conference room, every one of us experiments, creates, builds, improves and solves. We have the talent, diverse perspectives, and guts to engineer the extraordinary.

Learn more about our business, mission, and our commitment to diversity here.

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

At Medtronic, most positions are posted on our career site for 3-7 days.