Global IP Strategy & Portfolio Director

HB Fuller; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 200,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K contributions

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Incentives and recognition programs

Job summary

H.B. Fuller, a global leader in adhesives, seeks a Senior Director of IP to manage the worldwide patent portfolio and oversee trademark, trade secret, and IP transactions.

You will partner with the Chief IP Counsel to shape strategy, enforcement, and commercialization of IP assets across business units. Responsibilities include leading IP strategy, supervising patent professionals, managing budgets, and coordinating with legal, R&D, and business teams to advance strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.
• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related.
• 10–15 years of intellectual property experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or a combination thereof.
• Demonstrated experience managing patent portfolios and providing strategic intellectual property counseling.
• Experience supporting business, technology, and innovation organizations.
• Strong writing, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven people and project management experience, including complex strategic intellectual property initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage a global patent portfolio across invention harvesting, drafting, prosecution, and portfolio optimization.
• Oversee trademark portfolios and protection strategies; coordinate with outside counsel.
• Develop and maintain trade secret protection programs and advise on confidential information governance.
• Lead IP due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic transactions; negotiate technology licenses and agreements.
• Assist in leading the IP department workflows, metrics, and integration of acquired assets.

Skills

Writing

Communication

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

USPTO registration

Job description

H.B. Fuller, a global leader in adhesives, seeks a Senior Director of IP to manage the worldwide patent portfolio and oversee trademark, trade secret, and IP transactions.

You will partner with the Chief IP Counsel to shape strategy, enforcement, and commercialization of IP assets across business units. Responsibilities include leading IP strategy, supervising patent professionals, managing budgets, and coordinating with legal, R&D, and business teams to advance strategic initiatives.