Director, Head of IP

Joining Tate & Lyle in the UK
Our global headquarters are in a fantastic London location, overlooking Hyde Park near Marble Arch. The office is home to our Executive Board and colleagues working across a range of global functions. The majority of the team split their time between home and office. The site is set up to support hybrid working and promote collaboration. It is a progressive workspace with a mix of different areas including meeting pods, sofas, an outside terrace, a quiet library room and a wellbeing space.
 

About this role:

As the Director, Intellectual Property you will develop and execute the company’s intellectual property strategy and direct the development of the patent and trademark portfolios to help drive the company’s growth objectives.

You will be an expert in the field of intellectual property and will provide counsel to stakeholders across the company on IP-related matters. You will be responsible for managing all aspects of the company’s global IP portfolio, including supporting the R&D/innovation teams. You will be a member of the legal leadership team, providing direction and guidance to the department, delivering thought leadership on complex problems and optimisation projects.

Accountabilities:

· Identify and manage IP-related risks for research and development team projects

· Present on IP portfolio strategy and risks to internal teams and stakeholders

· Develop and deliver training programs on IP awareness and best practices for employees

· Manage the global IP budget and resources and ensure the team are supported in making optimal decisions and achieving targets

· Identify and negotiate licensing opportunities to maximise the value of the company’s IP assets

· Support research contract drafting and negotiations, and business development deals

· Management of outside counsels, and managing external spend within the annual budget

· Act as IP ambassador to the research and innovation teams

· Develop and maintain relationships with key senior stakeholders, both inside and outside the company.

· Identify and implement opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the function.

· Filing, prosecuting, maintaining and defending patents

· Effectively manage the company’s trade secrets

Skills and Experience (Manager)

· Degree in chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, or food science. A PhD in a relevant science discipline is desirable.

· Qualified European or UK patent attorney, with previous experience of managing global patent portfolios

· Combined law firm experience and at least 8 years’ in-house IP management experience

· Strong core patent prosecution skills

· First-hand experience in IP-related adversarial proceedings, particularly in Europe

· Strong relationship builder, ability to collaborate effectively with a range of colleagues from different areas of the business

· Advanced communication skills to convey highly complicated and sometimes commercially sensitive information with a diverse audience

· Experience in developing short to mid-term (1-3 years) strategies and delivering longer-term strategies (3-5 years)

· Able to solve highly complex problems which require advanced decision-making, original thought and new solutions.

What You'll Get
As business operating in 50 countries worldwide, we offer a global rewards package to all employees alongside a range of country-specific benefits. The global package includes a bonus scheme, 16-week Equal Parental Leave and mental health & well-being support.

• Flexible working policy
• Competitive salary
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Excellent employer pension contribution
• Personal private medical insurance
• Life assurance

Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.