Intellectual Property Counsel

Hayward Holdings Inc. (NYSE "HAYW") is the largest manufacturer of residential swimming pool equipment in the world, with a significant presence in the commercial pool market that is continuously growing. Hayward designs, manufactures, and markets a full line of residential and commercial pool and spa equipment including pumps, filters, heating, cleaners, salt chlorinators, automation, lighting, safety, flow control and energy solutions at our company owned facilities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hayward also has facilities in Tennessee, Arizona, and Rhode Island as well as Canada, Spain, France, Australia, and China. The position is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Evolving from private to public company in March 2021, Hayward has a growing legal department of experienced attorneys ushering the Company towards success. Join a hard-working legal team in a dynamic and fast-paced environment with an opportunity to influence new policy development and other corporate initiatives. The candidate will report directly to seasoned IP counsel (also based in Charlotte) and will help streamline IP portfolio management, litigation, licensing, analysis and diligence in an effort to manage cost and enhance quality. The candidate will be immersed in Hayward’s product portfolio and work together with the business and legal teams on IP and other matters benefiting from the candidate’s technology-focused background, such as products liability, energy compliance, product risk management and other areas.

Responsibilities

• Manage global IP prosecution, partnering with engineering, product management, and outside counsel on patents and trademarks.
• Lead brand enforcement efforts, including infringement actions, unauthorized reseller disputes, and online brand protection.
• Conduct patent and trademark analyses, including non-infringement, invalidity, and clearance reviews.
• Support M&A due diligence on IP assets.
• Draft and negotiate joint development and IP-related agreements.
• Provide counsel on technology-related risk areas, including product liability, energy compliance, cybersecurity, and trade regulations.
• Contribute to legal department operations and process improvements.
  
  

Qualifications

• Must be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. state (North Carolina not required).
• 1-3 years of experience in domestic and international patent and trademark prosecution, litigation, licensing, and due diligence.
• Strong technical background in electro-mechanical engineering, physics, fluid dynamics, IoT, or related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or Chemistry preferred.
• Exceptional communication skills; foreign language fluency is a plus (French, Spanish, or Chinese preferred).
  
  

This is an opportunity to make an impact in a growing public company while working on cutting-edge IP and technology matters. Join us and help drive innovation at Hayward!