IP Operations Manager

We are always seeking talented, motivated, growth-minded, and creative individuals. Our firm is committed to providing employee support and advancement, while embracing inclusion and innovation as keys to a stronger future.

We invite you to explore the position below and to submit your application to join our team!

Job Summary:   The IP Operations Manager serves as an advisor to Intellectual Property Practice Group leadership, collaborating to steer the business strategy of the Group and manage the day-to-day operations of the team. The IP Operations Manager is responsible for the practice area’s daily operations through managing the workflow of associated support staff, relationship development with internal and external clients, business analytics, project management, and problem solving.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Facilitates identification of Practice Group objectives; develops and implements strategies to accomplish goals; collaborates closely with Senior Practice Manager for IP to ensure strategic goals of the practice group are being met.
• Collaborates with the Information Technology Department to support the Practice Group’s technology needs and ensure necessary technological resources, with a particular focus on identifying relevant tools for the IP field to enhance workflow (e.g. docket technology, IDS solution, Task Worfklow).
• Analyzes requirements to identify and implements effective workflow processes to improve profitability and efficiencies.
• Provides Practice Group leadership with practice analytics on a regular basis, with a particular focus on trends, statistics, and other relevant information related to patent and/or trademark filings; provide ongoing trends to support effective decision-making and management of resources related to current portfolios.  
• Develops practice quality control metrics for IP Operations and monitors for continuous improvement; ensures compliance with client requirements.
• Coordinates with all service areas, including Human Resources, Finance and Accounting, Legal Talent, Marketing and Business Development, and Public Relations to optimize organization, best practices, and resource utilization.
• Plans and coordinates Practice Group meetings and events to increase integration, supporting branding efforts, promote teamwork, and recognize accomplishments.
• Maintains and enhances practice best practices manual for all IP Operations processes and procedures; updates and shares new information to ensure understanding and application
• Coordinates training of support staff on IP-specific technologies and procedures.
• Identifies and implements a process for understanding support staff workload in real time
• Supports the Practice Group’s annual budgeting process and ensures the group operates within budget parameters.
• As part of workflow management and review, support related hiring needs by providing relevant process information to support determination of qualifications and required roles; support related hiring processes and recommendations as needed.
• Participates in support staff performance and compensation by providing feedback as requested.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Trains and supports integration of current Practice Group staff (non-attorney timekeepers and docket staff) .
• Collaborates with Practice Management, Office Administrators and Human Resources to support understanding and resolution of any related staff issues.
• Oversees and assigns essential administrative functions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership and management abilities that foster collaborative working relationships and a positive team atmosphere. Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Proven ability to successfully influence outcomes and decision-making in assigned areas through strong partnering, understanding of key business needs, and presentation of creative solutions, especially across teams and without formal authority.
• Advanced project management, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Strong attention-to-detail. Ability to coordinate and work individually or on a team on multiple projects concurrently.
• Resilient and handles stress well; ability to deal with unexpected pressures.
• Must have a “hands on” tactical approach, with ability to be a strategic thinker.
• Sound judgment and ability to respect, protect and maintain highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Excellent reasoning and decision-making skills, with the ability to grasp and implement new concepts quickly.
• Strong understanding of law firm accounting and finance and analytical expertise .
• Must have excellent IT technical skills, coupled with business intelligence and a deep understanding of customer’s needs so they may be transformed into application and operational requirements.
• Strong knowledge of Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• 25% travel to firm offices required.

Education and/or Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree is required. MBA or JD a plus.
• 7-10 years of IP experience, including workflow management.
• 5+ years supervisory experience.

The Firm will comply with any applicable city or state workplace mandates in effect in regards to Covid-19. 

This position description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of the job.  The statements contained in the position description are not necessarily all-inclusive and additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as determined by business needs.

This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

California Applicants: Please visit our Privacy Notice and Notice at Collection to learn about our information practices in the Job Application and Employment context.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Troutman Pepper adheres to a policy of equal opportunity and will make all employment decisions, which include hiring, promotion, transfer, demotion, evaluation, compensation and separation, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital or armed forces status and any other classification as protected by law.

Compensation is dependent on several factors, such as position, location, education, training, and/or experience.