Senior EP Grant & Validation Assistant

Senior EP Grant & Validation Assistant
Bristol, Sheffield or Warwick

About Us

Withers & Rogers is one of Europe’s largest dedicated intellectual property law firms, with offices across the UK, Paris and Munich. Established more than 140 years ago, we remain as passionate as ever about making intellectual property work to our clients’ best advantage. Today, our clients include many renowned, innovative organisations from across Europe, North America, and Asia.

We believe that our patent and trade mark attorneys, support, and operations staff have a breadth of expertise and a depth of specialist sector knowledge that is second to none. Our purpose is building trusting relationships and our vision is to be an independent, responsible, sustainably profitable, and globally focused firm, known for building trusting relationships.

The Role

This is a full time, permanent position based in our Bristol, Sheffield or Warwick office. Hybrid working options, including working from home, are available.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

- Deputising for the EP Grant & Validation Manager regarding operational management of the EP Grant & Validation team, ensuring relevant grant and validation deadlines are met, efficiently and with minimal risk
- Working with the EP Grant and Validation Manager to define and develop procedures to maintain or enhance efficiency, ensuring best practice and effective training within the EP Grant & Validation team
- Instructing validation of EP granted patent via a network of trusted providers and handling subsequent related work, such as provision of powers of attorney and other requirements relating to validation at the national offices
- Filing Unitary Patents and UPC opt-outs
- Checking and reporting official grant documentation to the client
- Monitoring and reporting End of Opposition notices to the client
- Instructing French and German claims translations to meet the Rule 71(3) EPC requirements. Filing French and German claims translations at the European Patent Office (EPO) and paying official grant and printing fees using EPO Online Filing software, reporting and invoicing clients
- Entering charges, preparing invoices, E-Billing and uploading invoices and LEDES files to online portals
- Preparing grant estimates and reporting Decision to Grant

About You

To join us as a Senior EP Grant & Validation Assistant, you’ll need:

- EP Grant experience is preferred, or a strong patent administration background
- Good communication skills and able to interact with all levels of internal and external contacts
- Attention to detail and pride in work product with the ability to balance and prioritise workload, remain composed and level-headed during periods of particularly busy activity, and be proactive in helping other members of the team
- Good Microsoft package skills, ideally an understanding of case management systems
- The desire to learn and a willingness to become involved in the work, working individually and as a team

Your Rewards

- Competitive salary
- Benefits such as healthcare cash plan and additional holiday purchase scheme
- Flexible working options
- Enhanced Parental Leave options
- Positive and welcoming work environment

Applications will be reviewed as they are received so early applications are encouraged.

We foster a supportive and inclusive culture where employees are encouraged to broaden their knowledge, challenge themselves and share their ideas.

If you think you have the skills to succeed, we would love to hear from you.