VP, Patent Counsel

Job ID: E2500152

Job Description:

Role Summary/Purpose:

Reporting to the SVP, Senior Counsel for Technology & Intellectual Property, this position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of patent prosecution for the organization. This includes managing external counsel, ensuring strategic alignment with the company’s business objectives, and safeguarding the company's technological advancements. The successful candidate will work closely with the SVP, Senior Counsel for Technology & Intellectual Property and cross-functional teams to drive innovation and strengthen the company's patent portfolio.

 

Our Way of Working

We’re proud to offer you choice and flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home, near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. Occasionally you may be required to commute to our nearest office for in person engagement activities such as business or team meetings, training and culture events.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Strategy Development: Develop and implement patent strategies aligned with business objectives in partnership with senior leaders to protect key innovations and support competitive differentiation impacting Synchrony broader business initiatives.

• Portfolio Oversight: Manage the large and growing patent portfolio across the entire business, including assessing invention disclosures, deciding on filing strategies, and conducting regular portfolio reviews.

• Patent Prosecution Management: Lead and manage external counsel to ensure timely and high-quality patent filings and portfolio maintenance.

• Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams to identify and protect innovations critical to the company’s success.

• Budget Management: Oversee patent prosecution budget, ensuring cost-effective management of resources and external counsel.

• Education and Advocacy: Provide training and education to internal teams on IP best practices and the importance of patents in a competitive landscape.

• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and company policies related to intellectual property as well as support the companies broader effort to enhance its risk management processes and procedures

• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned, including patent litigation or transaction support.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

• Minimum of 8-10 years of patent prosecution experience, with in-house experience preferred.

• Proven experience managing large patent portfolios in a corporate or law firm setting.

• Deep knowledge of U.S. and international patent laws, procedures, and best practices.

Desired Characteristics:

• In-house financial services technical patent law experience.

• Strategic thinker with a results-driven mindset.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence and inspire confidence in stakeholders.

• Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams and working collaboratively across functions.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated ability to align IP strategy with business objectives.

• Familiarity with intellectual property in the financial technology sector strongly preferred.

Grade/Level: 13

                                                                      

The salary range for this position is 130,000.00 – 210,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.

Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must be 18 years or older

• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent

• You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process

• You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

• New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles.  Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles.  Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post.  All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required.  We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. 

Our Commitment:

When you join us, you’ll be part of a diverse, inclusive culture where your skills, experience, and voice are not only heard—but valued. We celebrate the differences in all of us and believe that our individual, unique perspectives is what makes Synchrony truly a great place to work. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect and turn ideals into action. Through the power of our 8 Diversity Networks+, with more than 60% of our workforce engaged, you’ll find community to connect with an opportunity to go beyond your passions.

This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

• Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

• If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627.   Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time

Job Family Group:

Legal