Senior IP Operations Manager - Troutman Pepper

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!

The Senior IP Operations Manager serves as an advisor to Intellectual Property Practice Group leadership, supporting successful execution of the business strategy and managing the day-to-day operations of the Practice Group. The Senior IP Operations Manager manages the workflow of associated support staff, develops relationships with internal and external clients, and delivers on needed business analytics, project management, and problem solving.  The Senior IP Operations Manager works with the Practice Group Leaders (PGLs) and other firm legal and administrative groups to support the practice groups’ goals related to marketing and client development, financial performance, talent management, partner support, and firm-wide strategic initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Participates in identification of Practice Group objectives; develops and implements strategies to accomplish goals; collaborates closely with practice leadership to ensure strategic goals are met.

• Works collaboratively with peers across the firm’s business support departments (e.g., Business Development, Client Experience, Legal Talent, Finance & Accounting, Innovation, Information Technology, Human Resources) to manage initiatives and support business strategies as determined by the Department and Practice Groups.

• Works with the Practice Director and Business Development to lead the development and implementation of Department and Practice Group annual business plans; work with PGLs and other partners to execute tactical steps to accomplish goals and objectives of the plans.

• 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.

• 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.

• Build a strong relationship with Legal Support Management to ensure the group is properly staffed to meet existing objectives and commitments.

• Facilitate communication across Practice Group to proactively identify areas for process improvement and partner with Practice Director to develop solutions consistent with internal best practices; identify and act on opportunities for implementation of best practices across all Practice Management teams.

• Formulate an expense budget for approval by senior management and track expenditures to ensure they are within approved budget guidelines, recommending corrective action as needed.

• Trains and supports integration of current Practice Group staff (non-attorney timekeepers and docket staff).

• Oversee practice management support personnel; provide regular feedback and development opportunities and resolve issues as they arise.

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.

• Excellent 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; advanced degree (JD, MBA) is a plus.

• Minimum of eight (8) years’ IP experience, including workflow management.

• Minimum of five (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.