Docket Specialist (Open-Rank, Senior thru Principal Professional)

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Department: CU Innovations   

Job Title: Docket Specialist (Open-Rank, Senior thru Principal Professional)

Position #: 00836609 – Requisition #:37184

Job Summary:

The Docket Specialist plays a vital role in the success of CU Innovations’ mission to protect and commercialize the University of Colorado’s cutting-edge research and intellectual property.  Reporting to the Patent Manager, this position is responsible for the accurate and timely management of all administrative aspects of CU Innovations’ intellectual property (IP) portfolio.  The Docket Specialist ensures that critical deadlines are met, records are meticulously maintained, and communications with internal and external stakeholders are handled with professionalism and precision.

This role requires a high level of attention to detail, a solid understanding of patent law fundamentals, and the ability to manage a large volume of complex information.  The Docket Specialist will be responsible for reviewing and interpreting legal documents, entering and tracking key deadlines in the IP docketing system, and interfacing with external counsel, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and other international patent authorities.

At the Principal level, this role will be a subject matter expert in patent and docket management.  They will provide recommendations to the team around best practices related to patent and docket management and will work to implement systems to ensure efficiency across the patent and docketing function.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, self-motivated professional who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.  They must be capable of working independently with minimal supervision, while also contributing to a team-oriented culture.  Strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication, and a commitment to producing high-quality, detail-oriented work are essential.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of innovation and research at a leading academic institution.  The Docket Specialist will work closely with inventors, attorneys, licensing professionals, and external counsel to support the full lifecycle of intellectual property – from invention disclosure through prosecution, issuance, and maintenance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accurately docket new patent application filings, incoming office actions, formalities and all other correspondence related to the filing, prosecution and maintenance of patent matters.
• Ensure all docket entries are complete, timely, and in compliance with internal procedures and external requirements
• Review and comprehend documents received from outside counsel.
• Identify relevant deadlines and ensure they are accurately entered into the docketing system in accordance with established procedures.
• Create new docket records in the IP database for new matters, including invention disclosures, patent applications, and related filings.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all IP assets.
• Monitor t