US Paralegal Site Head

What you will be doing:

Talent Management:
• Ensuring patent paralegal team is up-to-date on relevant worldwide practice and procedures, particularly EP and/or US law changes, including leading workshops for a global audience.

Processes and Data Quality:
• Manage deadlines in docketing database, including data relating to global patent portfolio.
• Prepare and file patent-related documents and forms for electronic or other filing.
• Interact with inventors to obtain signatures on formal documents.
• Assist patent Attorneys in more complex prosecution tasks with attorney input, such as creating templates for amendments or responses to office actions for the relevant patent office, e.g., EPO or USPTO depending on IP site.
• Informs and advises all levels of patent department (paralegals, trainees, managers, and attorneys) regarding requirements for applications and various filing options.

Management Responsibilities:
• Organize and proactively coordinate attorney work relating to patent applications including monitoring staff workloads and resolving distribution issues in order to ensure appropriate workload balance.
• Work one-on-one with IP attorneys and patent paralegals to implement standard practices
• Holds regular team meetings to problem-solve, share ideas and discuss any changes in practice or processes.
• Critically evaluate current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as well as the need for new SOPs, and strive to constantly improve/optimize services provided by the team. Assist in implementation of same.
• Ensure best practices are in place and meet Novartis business and legal standards and policies.
• Collaborate with department Global Head of Patent Support and other patent paralegal managers to maximize and encourage cross-team cooperation in functional areas of responsibility.

Essential Requirements:

• University degree required and or paralegal
certification
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in the IP field.
• Experience working as Senior Patent Paralegal, team
leader or similar. Prior experience leading a team is
required
• Fluency in English (oral and written) required
• IP qualification, e.g., PAC or equivalent preferred
• Knowledge of 2nd language is an advantage