IP Strategy and Portfolio Management Expert (f/m/x)

Your Talent, our Vision – together we see beyond. Your start at ZEISS Vision Care. As a leading manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses, we help people around the world achieve a clearer vision – sustainable and with focus on the future. 

Our products are as diverse as the career paths we offer, from tailored lenses to award-winning measurement systems. Become part of our team and shape a future in which clear vision and professional success go hand in hand.

Your role

This role will shape intellectual property (IP) strategies that align with our business objectives, particularly in new fields of business in consumer technology and medically regulated global settings. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of global IP laws, a technical background, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams by fulfilling the following responsibilities.

• Work closely with R&D, legal, marketing, business development and internal IP teams to enable and protect innovations effectively

• Monitor industry trends, competitor activities and regulatory changes to develop an IP strategy, and to build-up and manage an IP portfolio including patents, design patents, and trade secrets, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives

• Formulate and implement comprehensive IP strategies that support our new business goals in technology and medically regulated fields

• Conduct prior art searches as well as freedom-to-operate and invalidity searches, support in drafting notifications of invention as well as in trademarks and copyrights matters

• Identify potential IP risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure freedom of third-party rights, prepare and initiate invalidation actions and invalidity opinions with respect to third party protection rights along with the support to ensure compliance with industry regulations

• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including patent and legal counsels, to ensure alignment on IP matters; additionally prepare templates for board decision-making in collaboration with and in support of the Head of Strategic IP Coordination

• Provide training and guidance to internal new business teams on IP best practices, policies, and procedures

Your profile

• A patent attorney or an attorney-at-law with experience in representing clients in patent litigation matters

• Profound experience in intellectual property (IP) strategy, IP portfolio management, or related fields, preferably in high-tech or medically regulated industries

• Strong knowledge of IP laws and regulations, including patent, trademark and copyright law in an international and diverse setting

• Proven experience in developing and executing successful IP strategies and managing diverse IP portfolios in emerging business areas

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams in combination with excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

• Working in a precise and structured manner to meet deadlines and efficiently manage processes

• Fluent written and spoken business German and English; Chinese is a plus

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Hannah Beutler, Kate Campbell