Sr. Manager- Intellectual Property

Job Description

Position Summary:

Reporting directly to the Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, the Sr. Manager, IP, is responsible for supporting the management of the Company's intellectual property (IP) portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets, both domestically and internationally. The position requires liaising with outside trademark counsel and implementing strategies to mitigate IP risks. Key responsibilities include drafting and reviewing IP agreements, managing a team of IP professionals, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The idea candidate will have 8-10 years’ experience as an IP Director or IP Manager for a CPG company or as a Senior Trademark Paralegal at a law firm. The individual in this role must be able to build and maintain trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, while monitoring IP rights, conducting research on IP-related issues, and providing support in IP-related disputes.

Responsibilities:

• Liaise with outside trademark counsel and oversee IP prosecution and portfolio management for both domestic and foreign trademarks, copyright and patent applications, registration and maintenance filings.
• Implement strategies outlined by VP, Deputy General Counsel to mitigate and manage intellectual property risk and protect the Company's intellectual property (“IP”) assets, with a primary focus on trademarks and copyrights, as well as patents and trade secrets as required.
• Draft and review a variety of cease & desist letters and IP agreements, including but not limited to, work made for hire agreements, trademark licensing agreements, settlement agreements and co-existence agreements, with supervision from the VP, Deputy General Counsel
• Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and outside legal counsel, to enable the provision of efficient, productive and business-forward legal support and guidance on the trademark and copyright portfolio.
• Review product labels, packaging, advertising and promotional materials for proper use of company’s trademarks and copyrights and confirm implementation of efforts.
• Manage team of IP professionals, currently consisting of two direct reports:  IP Coordinator and IP Specialist. Support the development of individual team members, prioritization of workload and monitor performance.
• Supervise direct reports in their efforts to monitor and maintain the Company’s IP rights, including identifying and addressing potential infringements, and maintenance and management of legal IP databases and filing systems.
• Implement processes and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and governing agreements as directed by VP, Deputy General Counsel.
• Monitor relationships with licensors and licensees to ensure quality control of licensed IP and compliance with contractual obligations.
• Review monthly KPI's for IP filings, renewals, assignments and spend management and communicate necessary metrics to internal stakeholders.
• Conduct research and analysis on various IP-related issues, changes in IP laws, and industry trends, and provide relevant guidance and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Provide support to VP, Deputy General Counsel and outside trademark legal counsel in connection with IP-related disputes, including management of oppositions, cancellations and federal court actions.
• Under the supervision of the VP, Deputy General Counsel, conduct IP due diligence in mergers, acquisitions, and other business transactions to assess risks and opportunities related to IP assets
• Prepare and deliver training and ongoing education to employees, and monthly / quarterly reports for board entities, on IP rights, policies, relevant licensing agreements and best practices.
• Review comprehensive trademark clearance search results regarding availability and registrability of proposed trademarks. Prepare recommendations and guidance on potential conflicts under the supervision of outside trademark counsel and VP, Deputy General Counsel.

Qualifications:

• 12-15 years’ experience as an IP Director or IP Manager for a CPG company or Senior Trademark Paralegal at a law firm 
• General familiarity and understanding of patent laws
• Strong written, analytical, verbal, and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Skilled in han