Administrative Assistant - Legal
Administrative Assistant - Legal
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Job Description
Job Description
Our company are seeking a highly skilled and motivated patent administrator to join its dynamic in-house European patent team. This pivotal role combines administrative excellence with paralegal responsibilities providing critical support to several European and UK patent attorneys including the head of the department.
The role includes key tasks such as monitoring and prioritizing patent-related deadlines preparing and filing applications and submissions at the EPO and UK IPO scheduling travel and meetings and ensuring smooth operations within the patent department. If you have a strong background in patent administration and a passion for precision and organisation we want to hear from you!
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide comprehensive administrative and paralegal support to multiple European/UK Patent Attorneys
- Monitor and manage weekly docket reports for patent applications oppositions and Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs)
- Review docket items to identify required actions and collaborate closely with attorneys to ensure timely completion
- Schedule travel and meetings for team members
- Process expenses for team members
- Input and maintain accurate data in patent databases; generate detailed reports as needed
- Utilise public patent databases such as the EPO Register and UPC Register for research and verification
- Handle multiple assignments simultaneously prioritizing effectively under tight deadlines
- Maintain professional communication with internal teams and external stakeholders
Qualifications & Experience
Education:
- Required: Secondary education qualification equivalent to UK A-Levels
- Preferred: CIPA Administrator Certificate
Experience:
- Significant experience as an Administrative Assistant or Paralegal in a patent department or law firm
- Proven knowledge of European patent filing and prosecution processes including PCT and EPO rules and procedures
- Hands-on experience with EPOs Electronic Filing System electronic forms and UPC CMS system
- Experience with patent databases
Required Skills & Attributes:
- Strong proficiency in MS Office Suite (Outlook Word Excel PowerPoint)
- Excellent administrative skills
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Excellent organisational and multitasking abilities
- Strong interpersonal and professional communication skills
- Ability to work independently with initiative flexibility and sound judgment
- Demonstrated ability to perform under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Enthusiastic self-motivated team player with a strong work ethic
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co. Inc. Rahway NJ USA also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC Rahway NJ USA does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place introductions are position specific. Please no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status:
RegularRelocation:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Required Skills:
Customer Communications Customer Communications Data Entry Detailed Reports Document Management Electronic Filing Event Planning File Management Financial Budgeting Office Applications Office Equipment Organizational Communications Patent Applications Patent Law Personal Initiative Process Improvements Project Management Scheduling Software Proficiency Stakeholder Communications Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholder Relationship Management Team Coordination Team Play Travel Scheduling 2 morePreferred Skills:
Job Posting End Date:
09/18/2025*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.
Employment Type
Full-Time
