Director Global Trademark & Patents

Job Location: Hershey, PA
Note: Hershey, PA is strongly preferred but will consider candidates within a drivable distance to be in office 3 days a week and as needed.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, Assistant Secretary & Chief Compliance Officer, the Director, Global Trademarks & Patents, leads the company’s worldwide intellectual property portfolio, encompassing trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and related assets. This executive is responsible for formulating and executing a comprehensive IP strategy that protects, enforces, and maximizes the value of the company’s innovations and brands, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Serving as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, the Director collaborates across functions to advance innovation, drive value creation, mitigate risk, and safeguard the company’s competitive position in the market.

Accountabilities
Top 5 Core Responsibilities / Outcomes Expected

• Develop and implement strategic plans for the global IP portfolio, ensuring alignment with business goals and innovation priorities.

• Oversee trademark and patent management activities, including clearance, registration, enforcement, litigation, and anti-counterfeiting initiatives on a worldwide scale.

• Draft, review, and negotiate complex IP agreements such as technology transfer, licensing, joint development, and research collaborations, ensuring protection of company interests and compliance with legal standards.

• Advise and support cross-functional teams (e.g., R&D, marketing, product, licensing, engineering) with business-oriented IP guidance, including risk analysis and strategic counseling on innovation and commercialization.

• Lead and manage the IP legal team and external counsel/vendors, overseeing budget, resource allocation, and team development to ensure effective portfolio management and legal compliance.

Other Applicable Scope Defining Dimensions

• Direct responsibility for a multi-million-dollar IP portfolio, including prosecution, maintenance, enforcement, and litigation costs.

• Influence on company-wide innovation, brand, and risk management strategies through leadership in the protection and monetization of IP assets.

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of global IP, trademarks, and patent laws and regulations, especially as they relate to consumer products and processes.

• Ability to interpret and apply legal frameworks to complex business scenarios and develop innovative solutions to achieve organizational goals.

• Strong experience in defending IP claims, managing disputes, and providing risk management advice.

• Excellent oral and written communication, research, and analytical skills.

• Capacity to operate both autonomously and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary legal and business team environment.

Experience & Education

Juris Doctor (JD) and a USPTO bar registration required.

Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania or ability to obtain a limited corporate counsel license in Pennsylvania

Minimum 12 years of experience in intellectual property, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets, including in-house legal department experience (preferably at a consumer-packaged goods company) or relevant law firm experience. 

Some knowledge of food regulatory and compliance requirements preferred but not required.

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The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
 
The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.  

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