Head - Patent Search and Licensing

Company Profile:

Hourglass Research is a leading Intellectually Property services firm with offices in San Jose, California and Bangalore, India. The company provides US Patent Drafting & Prosecution, Patent Analytics & Licensing services to multinational companies and startups. We cater to the hi-tech, semiconductor, telecom, software, emerging tech, medical devices, materials, and automotive sectors. Over the past 15 years, Hourglass Research has been consistently chosen by Fortune 500 firms for their US patent drafting and analytics assignments.

Role Overview:

The Head - Search & Licensing will lead and scale the firm’s Search & Licensing vertical, providing strategic direction, technical oversight, and business leadership. This role is responsible for the overall performance, profitability, and growth of the vertical, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality IP search, analytics, and licensing services to global clients. The function comprises a team of 25 to 30 professionals structured in a hierarchical, pyramid model with team leads, senior analysts, and junior analysts. The role holder will work through these layers to manage performance, drive capability building, and ensure service excellence across the board. Additionally, this role includes full ownership of planning, staffing, hiring, and revenue generation for the vertical.

Key Responsibilities:

Vertical Leadership & Strategy:

• Own and execute the strategic roadmap for the Search & Licensing business unit.
• Align the vertical’s offerings with market needs and evolving IP trends.
• Set annual goals, budget forecasts, and investment plans for the BU.

Revenue Generation & P&L Ownership:

• Own P&L of the vertical; ensure revenue targets are met or exceeded.
• Develop pricing strategies, resource allocation, and service optimization plans to maximize profitability.
• Track project pipelines, billing, and receivables in coordination with the Finance Team.

Service Delivery & Quality Assurance:

• Supervise end-to-end execution of all IP Search and Analytics services, including:
• Patentability/ Novelty Searches
• Freedom To Operate (FTO) Searches
• Invalidity/ Validity Searches
• Patent Landscaping/ Technology Scouting
• Implement rigorous quality control protocols and ensure delivery timelines are met.

IP Monetization & Licensing:

• Lead the design and execution of IP Monetization strategies.
• Support clients in identifying licensing opportunities, negotiating deals, and executing transactions.
• Build a strong partner/ licensee ecosystem across industries.

Client Engagement & Satisfaction:

• Serve as strategic advisor to clients, offering insight-driven IP solutions.
• Ensure a high level of client satisfaction and retention through proactive communication and consistent service quality.

Team Leadership & Performance Management:

• Lead a team of analysts, senior searchers, and licensing professionals.
• Drive a culture of high performance, continuous learning, and accountability.
• Monitor performance and conduct regular feedback and appraisal sessions.

Staffing Strategy & Hiring:

• Plan and forecast manpower needs in alignment with project pipelines and growth targets.
• Work with HR to attract, interview, and onboard high-calibre talent.
• Develop internal capability by identifying skill gaps and create upskilling plans.

Capability Building & Leadership Development:

• Mentor and groom high-potential team members into future leadership roles.
• Conduct regular training sessions on search techniques, licensing frameworks, and communication.

Process Excellence & Technology Adoption:

• Create and maintain SOPs, templates, and checklists to standardize quality and efficiency.
• Evaluate and adopt cutting-edge patent databases and AI/ analytics tools for better output.

Business Development & Though Leadership

• Support business development efforts in pitching Search & Licensing services to new and existing clients and additionally by participating in client meetings, RFP responses, and solutioning.
• Represent the firm at industry forums, IP events, and in publications to build thought leadership.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master's in engineering/ technology on any discipline
• Postgraduate qualification in Intellectual Property (preferred)

Experience:

• 10 to 15 years of experience in IP services, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role
• Proven track of record in managing patent search, analytics, and/ or licensing projects
• Global client experience across domains such as Engineering, ICT, Pharma, Life Sciences, etc.

Work Environment:

• Dynamic, client-driven, and innovation focussed
• Collaboration across IP attorneys, analysts, BD, and tech teams
• On-site hybrid arrangement (4-day WFO & 1-day WFH).

Growth Opportunities:

This role offers a pathway to higher strategic roles, with exposure to international clients, business growth, and high-value IP transactions.

Hourglass provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by central, state, or local laws.