Director, Intellectual Property

Location of role

Oxford, UK

Department

Legal

Key Responsibilities

The ‘Director, Intellectual Property’ is expected to be an expert in the field of intellectual property, to provide strategic input regarding the development of Immunocore’s patent portfolio, and to provide counsel to stakeholders across the company on IP‑related issues. The Director, IP will be one of two IP team members responsible for managing all aspects of the company’s global IP portfolio, including supporting business development and R&D‑related transactional activities, and performing relevant diligence and risk‑mitigating activities. The Director, IP will be expected to apply their extensive knowledge and experience to ensure the IP team delivers to IMCR’s strategic objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Filing, prosecuting, maintaining and defending patents in Immunocore portfolio
• Identifying and managing IP‑related risks for research and development team projects
• Presenting on IP portfolio strategy and risks to internal teams and stakeholders
• Supporting research contract drafting and negotiations, and business development deals
• Support investor relations on external communications strategy
• Conduct financing‑related IP diligence activities as needed
• Management of outside counsel, and managing external spend to meet budget targets
• Act as IP ambassador across research and development

The post‑holder will also have roles on one or more research/project teams or committees to stay apprised of and connected with relevant R&D stakeholders across the business.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience & knowledge

Essential

• Fully qualified UK or European Patent Lawyer, with previous experience of handling global biologics patent portfolios
• At least 8 years’ patent law experience in private practice and/or in‑house.
• Excellent degree or equivalent in molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or biological science.
• Strong core biologics patent prosecution skills
• Adaptable and flexible, stimulated by an evolving technical and business landscape, with ability to balance multiple tasks and priorities, high functioning in both individual and team activities.

Desirable

• Education to Master’s or Ph.D. level or equivalent, and/or several years of laboratory experience in the relevant scientific area
• Experience in an in‑house role, particularly in a growth company.
• Combined in‑house and law firm experience
• Experience interacting with business stakeholders
• First‑hand experience in IP‑related adversarial proceedings, particularly in Europe

Education & Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the sciences

Qualified European or UK Patent Attorney

At least 8 years’ experience in law firm and/or in‑house

COMPETENCIES

• Strong relationship builder, ability to collaborate effectively with a range of colleagues from different areas of the business.
• Clear, concise, and persuasive verbal and written communication including presentation skills.
• Ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload in a growth company lean‑resourced environment.
• Capable of providing strategic portfolio management and counselling across multiple therapeutic areas, and to wide range of clients, including senior management.
• Leading one or more IP activities

IMMUNOCORE VALUES

• We lead with science to benefit patients
• We are entrepreneurial
• We value diversity to drive innovation
• We trust and respect each other
• We act with integrity

About the Company

Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial‑stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialise a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry’s most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.

Focused on delivering first‑in‑class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.

At Immunocore, we recognise that our employees are our greatest asset. We value the unique contributions each person brings to our team. By embracing Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE), we create an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish, and transformative changes happen. STRIDE represents more than just letters; it embodies our shared identity and drives our mission. We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients’ lives, advancing medicine, and supporting one another in these pursuits.

Immunocore is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. As such, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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