Director of Patent Operations

This is the kind of opportunity people look back on as the defining chapter of their career. You won’t step into a mature machine built by someone else. You’ll build the operation that protects hundreds of breakthrough inventions across human health, artificial intelligence, advanced wellness technologies, and future-defining scientific innovation. You’ll feel the pride of helping transform bold ideas into protected discoveries that could influence millions of lives around the world. You’ll help accelerate the pace of invention itself. Entire categories of innovation may move faster because of the systems, standards, and leadership you create here. This is not a maintenance role. It is a chance to build something rare. You’ll lead one of the most ambitious in-house patent initiatives being assembled anywhere today — combining elite talent, AI-powered invention workflows, and extraordinary filing velocity to create a model the industry will eventually try to imitate. Years from now, when others point to how modern patent operations changed, you’ll know you helped build one of the first systems that proved it was possible. Your next 5 minutes could land you in our top 5% shortlist — click Apply to start your application (a short, simple step to put you in the running) Director of Patent OperationsROLE SNAPSHOT —Pay: $165,000.00 to $225,000.00Location/Schedule: RemotePurpose: Lead and scale a high-volume in-house patent operation filing 300+ patents annually across six advanced technology domains.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES —Manage a high-volume patent docket spanning 200+ pending applications and existing issued patents.Supervise six Patent Agents and one Patent Paralegal across multiple technology domains.Operate the end-to-end filing pipeline from inventor intake through prosecution and issuance.Own all docketing deadlines, conversions, filings, fee management, and portfolio status tracking.Coordinate AI-generated drafting workflows and route work across domain specialists.Monitor production quality and continuously improve operational throughput.Coordinate foreign filing strategy with local counsel on a jurisdiction-specific basis.Deliver concise operational reporting directly to executive leadership.MUST-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS —Minimum 5 years of patent operations experience in a high-volume environment.Experience managing 100+ concurrent patent applications.Strong working knowledge of USPTO Patent Center filings.Advanced fluency with at least one major docketing platform such as CPI, Anaqua, FoundationIP, or IPfolio.Experience working with AI-augmented drafting or production workflows.Strong operational communication skills with a direct, deadline-driven reporting style.Demonstrated cost-discipline and production-oriented operational management.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS —Active USPTO Patent Bar registration.Experience directly managing four or more patent agents or equivalent technical staff.Experience in health-products, wellness, biotechnology, or regulated consumer industries.Familiarity with patent analytics platforms such as PatSnap, Innography, or AcclaimIP.Clear understanding of patent-agent prosecution authority versus attorney authority.WHAT WE OFFER —Opportunity to build and lead a large-scale in-house patent operation.Direct partnership with founder and executive leadership.Exposure to advanced AI-enabled operational systems.High-impact leadership role across multiple emerging technology categories.Fast-moving, execution-focused environment with significant ownership.Honest Challenge — This is a high-accountability production environment with aggressive filing targets, daily operational cadence, and zero tolerance for missed deadlines. Success requires exceptional organization, comfort with AI-driven workflows, and the ability to operate with speed and precision under sustained volume.READY TO JUMP IN?Click Apply to start the short application (about 5 minutes). Important: Completing the embedded application step is required to be considered. The pay range for this position is $165,000.00 to $225,000.00. Please note that the quoted pay range for this job is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) experience, including industry or specific experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, and/or other applicable laws. This position is benefits-eligible. Mercola provides competitive, affordable, and diverse benefit programs that support your total health – from a healthy body to a healthy mind. These benefits support you and your family in all aspects of life:Medical, Dental, and Vision coverageAccident, Hospital Indemnity, and Critical IllnessEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Employer Paid Life and AD&D InsuranceOptional Supplemental Life and AD&D InsuranceShort- and Long-Term Disability InsuranceFlexible Spending AccountsHealth