Patent Annuity Specialist

Job Description

• Monitor complex multi-jurisdictional patent annuity and maintenance fee deadlines.
• Prepare payment instructions coordinate with third-party annuity vendor and reconcile payment confirmations.

• Investigate and resolve data discrepancies identified by annuity vendor foreign associates and internal stakeholders.

• Review patent annuity and maintenance fee correspondence to help ensure intellectual property rights remain active and in good standing.

• Monitor changes to patent rules and maintenance requirements and update docketing procedures as necessary.
• Identify and correct data and records management inconsistencies using U.S. and international patent office databases as appropriate.

• Generate cost estimates metrics and reports related to patent maintenance activities.

• Maintain and update annuity standard operating procedures (SOPs) to reflect current practices and process improvements.
• Identify inactive patent families and coordinate appropriate retention abandonment or revival actions.
• Coordinate the execution notarization legalization and apostille of annuity-related powers of attorney proof-of-ownership documents and other intellectual property documents as required.
• Support patent acquisitions divestitures legal entity changes and other portfolio-related projects.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for patent annuity processes providing guidance to attorneys paralegals and other IP stakeholders on maintenance fee requirements annuity procedures and related best practices.
• Contribute to operational excellence initiatives by identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing approved solutions.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or paralegal certificate preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of patent annuity experience in a law firm corporate legal department or in-house intellectual property organization.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. PCT EP and foreign national patent prosecution maintenance and docketing practices.
• Experience supporting global patent portfolios and coordinating activities across multiple jurisdictions.
• Experience with powers of attorney certified true copies of assignments and ownership documents and related notarization legalization and attestation/apostille processes.
• Advanced proficiency with IP docketing and annuity management systems.
• Advanced proficiency with U.S. and international patent office databases and online systems including USPTO Patent Center EPO and WIPO.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook Word and Excel.
• Exceptional attention to detail accuracy and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate complex legal and procedural concepts clearly and effectively.
• Effective organizational project management and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and consistently meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently on routine assignments and complex projects while exercising sound judgment regarding when to seek attorney guidance.
• Demonstrated discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information with a high degree of professionalism and integrity.
• Results-oriented with a demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work in a timely manner.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to build effective working relationships across functions and levels of the organization.
• Resilient and adaptable with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced high-volume environment and effectively manage change.
• Willingness to embrace and support new processes technologies and ways of working.
• Notary Public Commission or the ability to obtain a commission within a reasonable period following hire.

• Experience supporting pharmaceutical biotechnology life sciences or other complex technology patent portfolios.
• Prior experience with Clarivates The IP Management System (TIPMS) IPManager First-to-File or similar intellectual property management systems.
• Experience collaborating with third-party annuity service providers and foreign associates on global patent maintenance activities.
• Experience participating in patent acquisitions divestitures legal entity changes or other IP portfolio transition projects.

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

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The salary range for this role is

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills geographic location government requirements and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical dental vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family) retirement benefits including 401(k) paid holidays vacation and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at can apply for this role through (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only:We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only:We will consider for employment all qualified applicants including those with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

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