Director of IP Operations

Our client, a prominent IP law firm, is seeking an IP Operations Director. This individual will provide strategic leadership for the Firm's IP Operations department by overseeing the docketing, PCT, and foreign filing teams, optimizing processes, and leveraging technology to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.

Salary: $120k-$160k

Schedule: Hybrid 3/2. This role requires 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

Relocation Assistance: Yes.

Responsibilities:

• Direct and oversee the Firm’s IP Operations department, including docketing, PCT, and foreign filing resources and personnel, and continuously develop departmental procedures and policies, with the use of technology, to ensure efficient, accurate, consistent, and operational excellence for the Firm and its clients.
• Drive innovation within the department, oversee high-performing teams, and ensure initiatives are executed timely, within budget, and aligned with the Firm’s goals and strategic objectives.
• Guide the Firm’s Docketing team to ensure it is well positioned to consistently and efficiently update and maintain the Firm’s docketing systems based on daily action items received from the US Patent and Trademark Office, the Firm’s clients, and the Firm’s foreign associate teams.
• Supervise the Firm’s PCT and Foreign Filing teams to ensure they are well positioned to consistently and efficiently manage and direct timely PCT and foreign filings, including applications filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office as well as applications filed with foreign patent offices via the Firm’s foreign associate teams.
• Promote cross-training, collaboration, and task- and function-specific departmental services to ensure smooth, consistent, and efficient support and productivity.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Firm committees, groups, and departments to ensure that IP Operations maintains streamlined, cost-effective practices for the Firm.
• Partner with the Accounting, IT, and HR Directors to foster cooperative and symbiotic relationships across departments, optimize Firm-wide practices, and effectively address operational challenges.
• Administer vendor and membership relationships (e.g., CPI, Black Hills, IPDAS, NDA, etc.), address potential or imminent challenges, and communicate needs or changes requiring review.
• Distribute necessary firmwide announcements regarding holidays, office closures, and significant changes in laws or procedures.
• Utilize the CPI docketing system and the annuity system invoicing to ensure overall costs are synchronized with accounting records and properly allocated to each office and group.

Qualifications:

• Knowledgeable of IP docketing and record management systems and processes.
• Experienced in managing domestic and foreign IP prosecution dockets (patents, trademarks, copyrights) and overseeing IP records.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and/or related software, docketing systems, and the ability to effectively utilize various applications such as iManage, CPI, and IPDAS.
• Knowledgeable of USPTO, WIPO, and international filing systems, procedures, and requirements.
• At least eight (8) years of relevant IP experience and at least three (3) years in a supervisory role.