Patent Project Manager

About the role

Sun IP offers patent translation, foreign filing, patent and trademark renewals and annuity solutions. As Patent Project Manager you will oversee and manage patent translation and filing requests, working closely with clients, translators and internal teams so that every request is delivered on time, within scope and to the highest standards. The role covers coordination of cost control, scheduling, docketing, document submission and quality assurance.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of translation and filing requests from instruction through to filing confirmation and client reporting.
• Review, monitor and manage deadlines; take ownership of at-risk deadlines and liaise with translators, foreign associates or clients to resolve them, escalating only when necessary.
• Ensure each jurisdiction's formalities are followed and give clear instructions to translators and foreign associates.
• Coordinate with the estimates, translation, quality assurance and foreign associate teams so client and official deadlines are met within the relevant SLA.
• Track required documents and follow up with clients to ensure they are completed before the deadline.
• Highlight risks and suggest process improvements.
• Monitor project costs against the estimate and ensure clients are billed correctly and on time.

Required profile

• At least 2 years' experience in patent formalities or foreign filing, gained at a law firm, a corporate IP department or an IP service provider.
• Fluent written and spoken English, able to work with clients, translators and foreign associates across time zones.
• Proven ability to manage a high volume of simultaneous, deadline-driven projects with accuracy and attention to detail.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of PCT national phase entry, EP validation and foreign filing formalities.
• Preferred: a recognised paralegal or IP administration qualification such as the CIPA Patent Administrator Certificate, or a degree in law.
• Preferred: ability to define processes and standards for translation, filing and quality assurance.
• Preferred: exposure to Paris Convention filings, utility models, design applications and trademark applications, and experience in a remote team across time zones.