Rheem Manufacturing
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
Direct message the job poster from Rheem Manufacturing
Job Description The
Director, Intellectual Property , provides comprehensive intellectual property services to Rheem’s global business units, with responsibility for developing and executing commercially aligned patent and trademark strategies, managing procurement and protection of IP assets, counseling business teams, and supporting transactions. This role partners closely with R&D, Product, Marketing, Engineering, and Procurement to integrate practical IP guidance into product development, branding, sourcing, collaborations, and market execution. The Director manages outside counsel and vendors, oversees Rheem’s IP management systems and processes, and supports IP dispute matters in coordination with the legal leadership team.
The position reports to the Assistant General Counsel and supports our Enterprise division in Atlanta, GA (Onsite).
Responsibilities
Direct the delivery of patent and trademark procurement services globally, including identification, assessment, drafting, filing, and prosecution of domestic and foreign applications through outside counsel and agents; establish and maintain processes to acquire and maintain high-value IP assets for Rheem.
Develop and execute Rheem’s IP strategies to protect innovation and brands, align protection with product and market priorities, and mitigate IP risk, including trade secret protection and clearance programs.
Conduct and oversee freedom to operate, novelty, and validity searches, analyze results, and provide actionable guidance to business stakeholders; support IP milestone requirements within Rheem’s product development processes.
Monitor competitor activity and market trends; evaluate third‑party IP, advise on risk and enforcement options, and support management of IP disputes and litigation in partnership with legal leadership.
Provide strategic, business‑focused counseling to R&D, Marketing, Engineering, and Procurement on product development, joint development, branding, data and know‑how protection, and commercialization strategies.
Negotiate, draft, and advise on IP agreements and IP provisions in broader commercial agreements, including licenses, joint development agreements, supplier agreements, NDAs, sponsored research, and design services.
Lead IP diligence and provide IP analysis for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, and minority investments; advise on IP ownership, scope, assignment, and integration considerations.
Manage outside counsel and other IP vendors to deliver high‑quality, cost‑effective services; set clear scopes, budgets, and performance expectations.
Oversee implementation, use, and continuous improvement of Rheem’s global IP management systems, tools, and workflows; maintain accurate portfolios, docketing, and visibility into asset value and lifecycle.
Develop and deliver IP training, resources, and templates to enhance IP awareness and compliance; support employee IP agreements and internal IP policies.
Keep abreast of legal and regulatory developments affecting IP and advise Rheem leadership on practical impacts and recommended responses.
Collaborate and engage with colleagues across the global law department and business units to ensure coordinated, efficient delivery of IP support.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
At least 10 years of IP law experience, including business counseling and strategy, IP transactions, and patent drafting and prosecution
Licensed to practice law in a US state
Admission to practice before the US Patent and Trademark OfficeExperience supporting material transactions (M&A, JV, licensing, JDA) and integrating IP considerations into commercial agreementsStrong communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated success partnering with global teamsExperience with technology relevant to manufacturing and product developmentAbility to travel to Rheem locations as business needs requireDemonstrated collaboration in matrixed, global organizations, with the ability to influence across functions and culturesStrong business acumen and practical judgment, connecting legal strategies to commercial outcomesProven ability to assess and manage legal risk, communicate complex issues clearly to non‑lawyers, and deliver concise, actionable guidanceEffective leadership, project management, and delegation skills; ability to drive accountability with external providers
About Us At Rheem, we engineer products for life. For home life. For work life. For the life of the planet we all share. Backed by over 100 years of expertise, we’re passionate about product innovation and boldly committed to sustainability. Our full line of global air and water solutions deliver reliable performance, comfort and energy savings for residential and commercial applications worldwide. From engineers to accountants, sales professionals to support experts, Rheem depends on people to power our innovations. Join Rheem and help shape the future of products that impact lives—every day.
Our Behavior Based Values Set Us Apart
Listening to Understand – Open mind, learning from others, accepting feedback, embracing the objective
Contributing Respectfully - Sharing opinions, valuing ideas, sharing opposing perspectives with respect
Thinking Creatively – Applying creativity, seeking improvements, understanding from the customers’ lens
Acting with Responsibility – Owning decisions and actions, acting with integrity, embracing accountability
Rheem is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Rheem encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including those of any race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The job description above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills may supplement above minimum job requirements.
For U.S. Based jobs, please note that Rheem is unable to hire candidates to be employed in the following states: Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, or Vermont.
Rheem and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of an executed Recruitment Services Agreement, there will be no obligation to any referral compensation or recruiter fee.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Direct message the job poster from Rheem Manufacturing
Job Description The
Director, Intellectual Property , provides comprehensive intellectual property services to Rheem’s global business units, with responsibility for developing and executing commercially aligned patent and trademark strategies, managing procurement and protection of IP assets, counseling business teams, and supporting transactions. This role partners closely with R&D, Product, Marketing, Engineering, and Procurement to integrate practical IP guidance into product development, branding, sourcing, collaborations, and market execution. The Director manages outside counsel and vendors, oversees Rheem’s IP management systems and processes, and supports IP dispute matters in coordination with the legal leadership team.
The position reports to the Assistant General Counsel and supports our Enterprise division in Atlanta, GA (Onsite).
Responsibilities
Direct the delivery of patent and trademark procurement services globally, including identification, assessment, drafting, filing, and prosecution of domestic and foreign applications through outside counsel and agents; establish and maintain processes to acquire and maintain high-value IP assets for Rheem.
Develop and execute Rheem’s IP strategies to protect innovation and brands, align protection with product and market priorities, and mitigate IP risk, including trade secret protection and clearance programs.
Conduct and oversee freedom to operate, novelty, and validity searches, analyze results, and provide actionable guidance to business stakeholders; support IP milestone requirements within Rheem’s product development processes.
Monitor competitor activity and market trends; evaluate third‑party IP, advise on risk and enforcement options, and support management of IP disputes and litigation in partnership with legal leadership.
Provide strategic, business‑focused counseling to R&D, Marketing, Engineering, and Procurement on product development, joint development, branding, data and know‑how protection, and commercialization strategies.
Negotiate, draft, and advise on IP agreements and IP provisions in broader commercial agreements, including licenses, joint development agreements, supplier agreements, NDAs, sponsored research, and design services.
Lead IP diligence and provide IP analysis for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, and minority investments; advise on IP ownership, scope, assignment, and integration considerations.
Manage outside counsel and other IP vendors to deliver high‑quality, cost‑effective services; set clear scopes, budgets, and performance expectations.
Oversee implementation, use, and continuous improvement of Rheem’s global IP management systems, tools, and workflows; maintain accurate portfolios, docketing, and visibility into asset value and lifecycle.
Develop and deliver IP training, resources, and templates to enhance IP awareness and compliance; support employee IP agreements and internal IP policies.
Keep abreast of legal and regulatory developments affecting IP and advise Rheem leadership on practical impacts and recommended responses.
Collaborate and engage with colleagues across the global law department and business units to ensure coordinated, efficient delivery of IP support.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
At least 10 years of IP law experience, including business counseling and strategy, IP transactions, and patent drafting and prosecution
Licensed to practice law in a US state
Admission to practice before the US Patent and Trademark OfficeExperience supporting material transactions (M&A, JV, licensing, JDA) and integrating IP considerations into commercial agreementsStrong communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated success partnering with global teamsExperience with technology relevant to manufacturing and product developmentAbility to travel to Rheem locations as business needs requireDemonstrated collaboration in matrixed, global organizations, with the ability to influence across functions and culturesStrong business acumen and practical judgment, connecting legal strategies to commercial outcomesProven ability to assess and manage legal risk, communicate complex issues clearly to non‑lawyers, and deliver concise, actionable guidanceEffective leadership, project management, and delegation skills; ability to drive accountability with external providers
About Us At Rheem, we engineer products for life. For home life. For work life. For the life of the planet we all share. Backed by over 100 years of expertise, we’re passionate about product innovation and boldly committed to sustainability. Our full line of global air and water solutions deliver reliable performance, comfort and energy savings for residential and commercial applications worldwide. From engineers to accountants, sales professionals to support experts, Rheem depends on people to power our innovations. Join Rheem and help shape the future of products that impact lives—every day.
Our Behavior Based Values Set Us Apart
Listening to Understand – Open mind, learning from others, accepting feedback, embracing the objective
Contributing Respectfully - Sharing opinions, valuing ideas, sharing opposing perspectives with respect
Thinking Creatively – Applying creativity, seeking improvements, understanding from the customers’ lens
Acting with Responsibility – Owning decisions and actions, acting with integrity, embracing accountability
Rheem is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Rheem encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including those of any race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The job description above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills may supplement above minimum job requirements.
For U.S. Based jobs, please note that Rheem is unable to hire candidates to be employed in the following states: Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, or Vermont.
Rheem and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of an executed Recruitment Services Agreement, there will be no obligation to any referral compensation or recruiter fee.
#J-18808-Ljbffr