Job Description
Job Description
US Patent Prosecution Manager
DEPARTMENT: Intellectual Property
REPORTS TO: Chief IP Officer
FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
Global law firm seeks a US Patent Prosecution Manager. Great opportunity for you!
JOB SUMMARY
The US Patent Prosecution Manager, under the direction of the Chief IP Officer, will oversee and manage the US Patent Prosecution Department. This role involves establishing and monitoring productivity and quality standards, acting as a liaison between the department and IP timekeepers/staff, identifying and implementing procedural improvements, ensuring quality and consistency of work, conducting training programs, participating in strategic planning, and assisting with various patent IP projects. The Patent Prosecution Manager will also be responsible for specific tasks related to correspondence management, docket review, calendar management, USPTO procedural support, client communication, staff supervision, and administrative duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*
- Establish and monitor productivity and quality measurement standards.
- Develop and implement productivity and quality standards for the US Patent Prosecution Support Staff.
- Ensure staff compliance with established standards.
- Regularly report performance levels to the Chief IP Officer.
- Serve as a point of contact between the US Patent Prosecution Support Department and IP timekeepers and staff.
- Troubleshoot and respond to questions or concerns regarding patent prosecution support issues.
- Identify problems or inaccuracies in departmental policies and procedures.
- Institute new or updated procedures based on established best practices.
- Regularly review departmental work product to ensure quality and consistency.
- Update and maintain US Patent Prosecution Support Procedural Manual and User Manual.
- Communicate significant changes in USPTO filing requirements to timekeepers and staff.
- Establish a training program for US Patent Prosecution Support staff on departmental and firm software, policies, and procedures.
- Conduct ongoing training classes.
- Plan and lead regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate departmental policies, procedures, and client guidelines.
- Participate in strategic planning related to patent IP projects across all offices.
- Manage the implementation of various patent IP projects.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a backup to Coordinators to distribute and upload correspondence received in the firm's IP Admin mailbox.
- Run the daily final docket, review, and check all entries, and coordinate with staff and attorneys on filing progress.
- Establish a calendar/reminder system to ensure staff compliance with internal filing dates.
- Research and answer USPTO procedural questions and handle specific requests.
- Advise staff on correct USPTO forms and procedures.
- Participate in client meetings that affect the Patent Prosecution Department procedures and staff.
- Participate in administrative meetings.
- Document all client special instructions in a uniform manner and make them easily accessible to staff.
- Assist in monitoring the preparation and filing of Power of Attorney documents for transfer-ins.
- Review the Patent Prosecution Department docket on a daily basis.
- Conduct interview for new Patent Prosecution Department staff.
- Train new specialist and assistants.
- Conduct weekly and monthly group meetings for training and group communication.
- Participate in Patricia testing.
- Conduct software testing.
- Add and remote attorneys and staff from the financial manager system and update credit cards.
- Monitor the administration of all portals.
- Assist with additional duties as assigned by senior management.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Education:
- Advanced proficiency in USPTO Rules and Regulations
- Advanced proficiency in MS Office: Word, Outlook and Excel; some knowledge of iManage preferred.
- Ability to effectively supervise, mentor and train in a group of ten or more.
- Strong sense of accountability, taking ownership over projects and responsibilities and resolving issues proactively.
- Ability to work as a team player as well as independently and meet deadlines, including demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects with often competing client enforced deadlines.
- Ability to accurately interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form; to synthesize complex and diverse information.
- Meticulous attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, staff and timekeepers.
- Minimum four-year college degree or related work experience may be used in lieu of formal education.
Experience:
- Minimum three (3) years of experience in a supervisory patent prosecution role with a broad understanding of patent policies and procedures required.
Company DescriptionBonnie Jones Associates, L.L.C. is your source for finding and filling permanent financial, accounting, administrative, legal, executive assistant, accounting and HR positions. Our professional staff matches the right candidate with the right employer and we take a lot of pride in that responsibility. Bonnie Jones Associates, L.L.C. has over eighty years of combined recruiting experience.
Our commitment to you is that we will work very hard to find you the right match. Our hope is that you will be very happy that you have chosen to work with us and that you feel we have done a good job for you. Please browse our web site, www.bonniejones.com and contact us so that we can make a happy match for you!
Company Description
Bonnie Jones Associates, L.L.C. is your source for finding and filling permanent financial, accounting, administrative, legal, executive assistant, accounting and HR positions. Our professional staff matches the right candidate with the right employer and we take a lot of pride in that responsibility. Bonnie Jones Associates, L.L.C. has over eighty years of combined recruiting experience. \r\n\r\nOur commitment to you is that we will work very hard to find you the right match. Our hope is that you will be very happy that you have chosen to work with us and that you feel we have done a good job for you. Please browse our web site, www.bonniejones.com and contact us so that we can make a happy match for you!