Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of $25 billion, and over 70,000 employees in 50 countries. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer by being the world leader in serving science. When you join us at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll be part of a smart, driven and diverse team that shares your passion for exploration and discovery.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is searching for an experienced, results-oriented Director of IP Legal Operations to join our thriving department. This is an opportunity for an innovative leader to help shape the direction of a robust IP organization supporting a diverse and exceptional IP portfolio. Reporting directly to the Chief IP Counsel, this position will be responsible for the financial, operational, and technical functions of the IP department. The role manages a high-performing team that uses many tools, vendors, and processes spanning searches, alerts, IDS’s, shells, preferred providers, AFA’s, and related processes and technologies to manage a large patent and trademark portfolio. The Director will also manage the implementation of a new IP Management system and direct the migration of data from various legacy tools. The role also manages the reporting of key performance metrics and management reports.

This role is preferentially located in Waltham, MA or Carlsbad, CA (San Diego area); but could also be located in Sunnyvale/San Jose, CA; Hillsboro, OR; Pittsburg, PA; Frederick, MD. Other locations may be possible for exceptional candidates.

Responsibilities:

• TEAM OPERATIONS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING: Assist department leadership with day-to-day operations, including identification, development and implementation of department policies and procedures, reporting, and dashboarding. Partner with Legal Senior Leadership on identification of key metrics, training opportunities, new vendor and/or tools opportunities, and performance management. Identify areas for increased efficiency or where new technology or practices can be deployed creatively to solve problems and develop time-saving workflow. Partner with Trademark, Patent and Licensing groups to report on counts, entities, royalties, and financials. e
• FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: Manage periodic reporting of outside counsel and vendor spend; drive analysis through reports and dashboards and drive implementation of changes to improve performance. Partner with Procurement and Finance on budgeting/accrual process; drive governance of billing guidelines and use of preferred providers/AFAs; work with Finance to identify spending trends, cost savings opportunities, discrepancies, and coding errors.
• TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT: Oversee management and lead change efforts for legal technology platforms (including FIP, FTF, Symphony, Questel, Morningside, Patent Alerts, DocuSign, etc.) for IP Department. Manage IP vendors, implement ongoing training and serve as an advocate to drive user acceptance to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• PROSECUTION AND PROCESSES / PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Oversee management of patent paralegal team in support of all patent prosecution and process functions including docketing, annuities, prosecution, shells, IDS’s, deposit accounts, practitioner registration and digital certificates, new hire trainings, innovation capture, invention disclosures, and inventor awards. Identify opportunities to improve efficiencies and effectiveness, manage SOP lifecycle, and communicate and train users on new or updated policies. Collaborate with Licensing and Trademark teams when SOPs and processes impact their workflows and develop SOPs in partnership with them as appropriate.
• COLLABORATION AND OTHER PROJECTS: Be a leader modeling collaboration, cross-matrix enablement, and proactive business service. Create and drive relationships with other key company functions, such as HR, IT, Finance, Procurement, and Legal Operations. Assist internal team members with special projects as needed, such as mergers and acquisitions and coordination and facilitation of IP training events, and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• B.A. or B.S. in business administration or related area
• 7+ years’ experience in a legal department or law firm
• 5+ years in relevant legal management role supporting IP
• Experience with people management
• Exceptional business judgment and relationship-building skills. Strong written and interpersonal communication skills, including ability to communicate clearly to a range of stakeholders and ability to lead and influence at all levels.
• Financial literacy, including college-level coursework in accounting, finance, and/or statistics
• Tech-savviness, and a proficiency in legal enterprise software, tools, and applications including legal spend and matter management tools. Experience with IP docketing and portfolio management systems and tools; proficiency with powerpoint and excel.
• Solution oriented with innate good judgment, strong but diplomatic presence, robust and enthusiastic self-starter, flexible mindset; able to work collaboratively as part of a team and also on an individual basis without a lot of guidance and oversight.
• Strong project management experience, including collaboration with finance, procurement, and HR; advising, influencing decisions, managing change, and working to achieve strategic goals.
• A “no task too big, no task too small” mentality. You love working as part of a team, naturally seek out opportunities for continuous improvement, and gain satisfaction from achieving results whether large or small

Preferred skills

MBA

Teaching mentality/orientation

Demonstrated experience supporting high performing teams and actively supporting career development in Legal ops

As the world’s leader in serving science, Thermo Fisher Scientific's professionals develop critical solutions—and build rewarding careers. They help customers in finding cures for cancer, protecting the environment, making sure food is safe, and so much more. When you #StartYourStory with Thermo Fisher, you are guaranteed meaningful work - both personally and professionally.