Global Head of Intellectual Property

  • Full-time

Company Description

Square builds common business tools in unconventional ways so more people can start, run, and grow their businesses. When Square started, it was difficult and expensive (or just plain impossible) for some businesses to take credit cards. Square made credit card payments possible for all by turning a mobile phone into a credit card reader. Since then Square has been building an entire business toolkit of both hardware and software products including Square Capital, Square Terminal, Square Payroll, and more. We’re working to find new and better ways to help businesses succeed on their own terms—and we’re looking for people like you to help shape tomorrow at Square.

Job Description

Square is looking for an experienced and highly motivated Head of IP to lead our talented intellectual property team. Square’s IP team sits alongside other Legal teams within its Counsel organization and is responsible for protecting Square’s rights and fostering innovation by strategically building and managing its patent, copyright, trademark, and domain portfolios, including open source and IP licensing activities and policies. You will lead a group of talented patent, trademark, and copyright attorneys and professionals who service the global Square product ecosystem.  This includes the opportunity to fill Square’s board seat on the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) which empowers the adoption and advancement of cryptocurrency technologies. 

You will:

  • Formulate and execute Square’s global strategy to protect its intellectual property assets

  • Manage teams responsible for developing and protecting intellectual property across a diverse range of products including music streaming, hardware, point of sale software, peer-to-peer payments, and crypto technologies

  • Chart the strategic direction of the team as we expand product offerings and move into new global jurisdictions

  • Perform or supervise IP due diligence and advise on IP risks in M&As and other commercial transactions

  • Manage our brand protection and enforcement efforts across multiple brands and businesses to protect our consumers from fraudulent operators 

  • Collaborate with the IP and crypto communities to build sensible IP policies across various ongoing patent, copyright, and trademark initiatives. Help build policy that fosters growth and eliminates barriers to innovation, both internal and external to Square 

  • Network and collaborate on IP initiatives with global patent, trademark, and copyright offices, and other industry players 

  • Be an industry leader in thoughtful approaches to balancing patent against open source and other collaborative initiatives

Qualifications

You have:   

  • JD and minimum of 12 years of experience, including significant in-house experience

  • Member of a US state bar in good standing

  • Admitted to practice before the USPTO, with the requisite technical background in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field of study 

  • Background in computer science or engineering

  • Experience managing international brand protection efforts across multiple brands 

  • Understanding of copyright law (even better if it extends to music licensing and the music industry) and the related ongoing policy initiatives, legislative efforts, and administrative agencies     

  • Knowledge and experience participating in patent pools, patent pledges, and other shared IP initiatives 

  • Experience with and a keen interest in emerging cryptocurrency technologies

  • Strong presence and leadership in the IP community and related professional organizations

  • A passion for open source and IP tools that foster transparency and innovation

  • Significant management experience including team budgeting, strategic planning, and career development

  • Strong executive communication skills

  • Flexible mindset and team player attitude

Additional Information

We’re working to build a more inclusive economy where our customers have equal access to opportunity, and we strive to live by these same values in building our workplace. Square is a proud equal opportunity employer. We work hard to evaluate all employees and job applicants consistently, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class. 

We believe in being fair, and are committed to an inclusive interview experience, including providing reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. We encourage applicants to share any needed accommodations with their recruiter, who will treat these requests as confidentially as possible. Want to learn more about what we’re doing to build a workplace that is fair and square? Check out our I+D page

Additionally, we consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment on our team, assessing candidates in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Perks

We want you to be well and thrive. Our global benefits package includes:

  • Healthcare coverage
  • Retirement Plans
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program
  • Wellness perks
  • Paid parental leave
  • Paid time off
  • Learning and Development resources

Square, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) builds tools to empower businesses and individuals to participate in the economy. Sellers use Square to reach buyers online and in person, manage their business, and access financing. Individuals use Cash App to spend, send, store, and invest money. And TIDAL is a global music and entertainment platform that expands Square's purpose of economic empowerment to artists. Square, Inc. has offices in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Ireland, Spain, Norway, and the UK.

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