IP US Patent Manager

The IP US Patent Manager is responsible for providing support to practitioners in the Patent Prosecution and Counseling practice group, including client management support, focusing on efficiency, process improvement, risk management, quality control, workflow and other processes impacting client service provided by the US Filing Specialist (USFS) team. This position will also partner with other client service management to provide support of internal client service, and in the creation and maintenance of client service metrics. Oversee daily administrative operations of the USFS team. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities:

Supervisory and management:

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and operational oversight for the USFS team and the various functional areas within the team’s structure

• Actively manage USFS caseloads, client assignments, workload, and capacity in coordination with Supervisors and Leads; rebalance assignments and address coverage or workload concerns as needed to support deadlines, quality, and client service

• Manage the day-to-day performance of USFS Supervisors and Leads, setting clear expectations and priorities, address routine team needs, and support consistent execution across the US patent filing team

• Delegate appropriate responsibilities to Supervisors and Leads and follow up on assignments, service needs, deadlines, and performance expectations to ensure work is completed accurately, timely, and consistently

• Develop metrics and accountability measures to drive USFS team performance, efficiency, and accuracy

• Review, develop, and recommend service offerings to maximize utilization of the USFS team at a cost-effective price point

• Engage in communication with patent practitioners to ensure client service is effective and consistently meets or exceeds expectations

• Lead the development of structured USFS training and development in in collaboration with supervisors and leads, provide coaching and feedback, support skill development, and create opportunities for USFS team members to build proficiency and take on increased responsibility

• Identify and coordinate staffing needs and other resources for USFS team special projects

• Ensure effective coverage is provided to practitioners and client teams in all cases

• Ensure accurate and timely entry of billable and non-billable time and review IntApp entries prior to month-end closing

• Manage realization rate of collection for billed services to identify challenges early and make adjustments to maintain profitability

• Enter billable time and fixed fees, as appropriate

Client service management:

• Propose and implement annual business plan

• Lead and support timely and successful completion of IP Client Service projects and initiatives

• Collaborate with client service managers to proactively identify issues, compliance, risks, and team priorities and propose appropriate courses of action

• Collaborate with other client service managers to facilitate short and long-term client assignment and/or reassignments

• Reinforce quality and procedural standards with Supervisors and Leads, review recurring or material issues, ensure appropriate corrective action and training are completed, and escalate significant risk or service concerns to the Director as appropriate

• Work collaboratively with client service managers to conduct quality control reviews of client facing specialist team members to ensure accuracy, consistency and adherence to the rules of 37 C.F.R., Best Practices and other procedural guidelines

• Provide support and resources required for the day-to-day and long term success of the Quality Control function and program, including close collaboration with the IP Quality Control Manager and leads

• Collaborate with client service managers to ensure optimal service during client assignment transitions and to monitor client service specialist pairings with practitioners to create highly efficient and balanced teams

• Identify practical opportunities to improve US patent filing workflows through automation, AI, and available technology; collaborate with the IP Technology and Automation manager on initiatives and participate in testing and implementation; gather feedback from Supervisors, Leads, and Specialists; and support training and adoption of approved solutions.

• Collaborate with IP Senior Practice Support Manager (US) to identify and support opportunities for IP Practice Support Assistant and Patent Formalities team development and utilization

Local office IP support:

• Serve as local office IP Services manager resource overseeing daily operations to ensure group-wide services are effective

• Provide business professional and timekeeper engagement in local office events and culture

• Foster collaborative relationships with practitioners and business professionals, serving as a key point of contact for IP Services support and solutions

• Communicate local issues to the appropriate member(s) of the IP leadership to ensure consistent and effective team management

• Troubleshoot issues impacting IP team members in the same office to effectively support practitioner and client needs