About the Role
CrowdStrike is seeking an AI-forward Vice President of IP Strategy to lead global IP strategy for its cloud-native cybersecurity platform. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, you will lead the IP function and partner closely with executive and technical leadership to identify mission-critical innovations, strengthen the company's global IP portfolio, drive IP licensing discussions, support IP litigation strategy, and modernize IP operations through responsible use of AI.
This is a leadership role, with a primary focus on building and protecting CrowdStrike's global IP portfolio while providing strategic support for IP litigation and enforcement matters.
You will set the strategic direction for what to protect, determine how to protect it, and oversee a global prosecution and licensing strategy that reflects both the speed of our innovation and the realities of the competitive landscape. You'll also be expected to continue championing the IP function's new operating model, where AI is a core tool, not an afterthought. We need someone who is genuinely immersed in AI and excited to use it to expand what this team can do.
What You'll Do
IP Portfolio Strategy & Leadership
•Lead and execute a global patent prosecution strategy aligned with CrowdStrike's business priorities, product roadmap, and market indicators.
•Identify mission-critical innovations across CrowdStrike's products and technology in partnership with Product and Engineering leadership.
•Oversee strategic filing, continuation, and abandonment decisions based on business value, competitive landscape, and jurisdictional priorities.
•Use portfolio analytics, competitive intelligence, prosecution data, and business metrics to identify coverage gaps, evaluate portfolio strength, guide investment decisions, and communicate IP performance and priorities to executive leadership.
•Manage CrowdStrike's global trademark portfolio, including filing, prosecution, and maintenance across relevant jurisdictions.
•Oversee trademark clearance processes for new product names, features, campaign terms, and brand extensions, coordinating with Marketing, Product, and outside trademark counsel.
•Manage trademark renewals, watch services, and opposition or cancellation proceedings, working with outside specialists.
•Advise on copyright ownership, registration, and protection for CrowdStrike's software, research publications, technical documentation, and other content assets.
•Develop and maintain copyright policies covering employee-created works, contractor contributions, open-source usage, and third-party content.
•Provide strategic advice on trade secret protection.
•Support IP licensing, negotiations, M&A activities, third-party demands, and patent analyses.
•Provide strategic support for IP litigation, enforcement, and dispute resolution matters, partnering with internal stakeholders and outside litigation counsel on patent analysis, portfolio strategy, and litigation-related IP considerations.
•Lead, develop, and mentor the IP team, establishing strategic priorities and driving operational excellence across the function.
•Oversee outside patent counsel to ensure high-quality, timely, and cost-effective work product.
•Provide executive oversight of patent and trademark dockets, budgets, and outside spend.
AI-Enabled Operations
•Evaluate, implement, and govern AI-enabled workflows across the IP function, including invention disclosure intake, prior art review, office action summarization, portfolio analytics, outside counsel review, and budget analysis.
•Drive responsible AI adoption across the team with appropriate quality controls, confidentiality safeguards, and attorney oversight.
•Train internal teams and outside counsel on acceptable AI use in IP workflows.
•Measure and improve the team's operating leverage through AI and automation.
What You'll Need
•J.D. and active bar membership in the state where you live, with eligibility to practice as registered in-house counsel; admitted to practice before the USPTO.
•15+ years of relevant IP experience, including significant leadership and team management experience.
•Extensive experience identifying, prosecuting, and procuring patentable technologies in software, SaaS, cloud, cybersecurity and/or AI.
•Expertise managing global patent portfolios, including jurisdictional filing strategy and decisions on continuation, abandonment, and maintenance.
•Experience in trademark, copyright, and trade secret law.
•Experience supporting IP litigation, patent disputes, or enforcement matters, including partnering with outside litigation counsel.
•Demonstrated AI fluency: able to identify, implement, and govern practical AI use cases in legal and IP workflows, not just acknowledge AI's potential.
•Proven ability to manage significant budgets effectively.
•Demonstrated ability to influence executive leadership, establish strategic priorities, and lead cross-functional initiatives.
•Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills with a strategic and operationally rigorous approach.
•Proven experience utilizing AI technologies to enhance decision-making, streamline workflows and processes, improve efficiency, and drive business outcomes.
Bonus Points
•Experience with cybersecurity software and SaaS technologies.
•Engineering or computer science background.
•Experience supporting IP licensing, M&A, and/or open-source matters.
Compensation
The base salary range for this position in the U.S. is $290,000 - $340,000 per year + variable/incentive compensation + equity + benefits. A candidate's salary is determined by various factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location.
Benefits of Working at CrowdStrike
•Market leader in compensation and equity awards
•Comprehensive physical and mental wellness programs
•Competitive vacation and holidays for recharge
•Paid parental and adoption leaves
•Professional development opportunities for all employees regardless of level or role
•Employee Networks, geographic neighborhood groups, and volunteer opportunities to build connections
•Vibrant office culture with world class amenities
•Great Place to Work Certified™ across the globe
