Head of Intellectual Property Operations

**Make your mark for patients**

We are looking for a **Head of Intellectual Property Operations** who is **pro-active, innovative and has strong communication and organizational skills** to join us in our **Intellectual Property** (IP) team, based in our **headquarters** office in **Brussels**, **Belgium.**

**About the role**

In partnership with the Intellectual Property Leadership Team (IPLT) members, the Head of IP Operations is a qualified European Patent Attorney who has a direct impact on the smooth operationalization and governance of all IP related activities, a critical strategic domain for UCB.

The Head of IP Operations oversees the IP operations and patent portfolio management teams and oversees and prioritizes projects aimed at improving the operational efficiency of the IP department internally and with key UCB stakeholders.

She/he is also responsible for managing the communication within the IP team.

She/he is accountable for the development of a digital strategy for the IP department and the assessment and implementation of digital solutions within the IP team.

In addition, as part of its role, the Head of IP Operations is also providing patent counsel advice for assigned projects across UCB R&D and commercial activities, including all aspects of patent drafting, prosecution, opposition work, licensing etc.

**Who you’ll work with**

You’ll report to the Head of IP and will be part of the IP Leadership Team (IPLT). You will manage a team of people (covering IP Operations and IP Patent Portfolio Management).

You will foster collaboration across the IP department and key stakeholders, spearheading digital transformation initiatives and optimizing communication channels. Your role involves strategic oversight, ensuring seamless coordination within the IP team and providing patent counsel advice for cutting-edge projects across UCB's R&D and commercial activities.

**What you’ll do**

**Operations***
- Oversee and prioritize (in partnership with the IPLT), the development of tools, guidelines and processes aimed at facilitating the overall performance and governance of the IP department.
- Lead the assessment and implementation of digital solutions across the IP department.

Organize the IP LTs, follow-up on actions, and oversee the organization of the IP All Staff meetings and related communication.
- Design and lead the implementation of various IP Operations/portfolio management projects aimed at improving internal ways of working and interface with UCB stakeholders.
- Manage IP budgets and e-billing.
- Collaborate with Global Legal Affairs Head of Operations on key transversal operations projects.

**Patent Portfolio Management**
- Ensure robust systems and processes are in place for patent portfolio management and maintenance.
- Ensure there is an annual review of the patent and trademark portfolio in consultation with responsible IP attorneys and Head of Brand Protection.
- Keep up to date with key law and procedure developments and provide any necessary training to the Patent Portfolio Management Team.

**Attorney Work**
- Provide global IP support for and be accountable for IP strategy for certain allocated R&D projects.
- Undertake all aspects of IP work needed to support allocated UCB projects and possibly platforms (drafting, prosecution, contentious matters, contractual work)

**Interested? For this role we’re looking for the following education, experience and skills**
- Experienced patent attorney in the life sciences, with a minimum of 10 years post qualification experience, with excellent knowledge of European patent law and procedural matters, ideally with experience of managing patent administration activities.
- Certification: European Patent Attorney
- Experience working on process improvement and optimization projects is a strong asset.
- Good IT skills and ideally an understanding of digital solutions to enable an effective digital transformation of the department and the implementation of digital solutions.

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you

**About us**
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are around 8,500 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

**Why work with us?**
At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equitable opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.

UCB and its subsidiaries