IP Formalities Manager

Location

London - Hybrid Working 3 days in the office, 2 wherever. 

Why this job matters

BT’s Customer Facing Units attribute 10% to 30% of their profit to the technology underpinning their services (rising to 60% in Openreach) and 5% to 30% to branding. BT’s registered Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), including patents, trademarks, and designs, therefore play a critical role in underpinning much of BT Group’s profit.

Obtaining and maintaining these IPRs requires highly specialized administrative support. Without a well-functioning Formalities Team and a robust Intellectual Property Management System, valuable registered rights could be unintentionally lost. Additionally, the efficiency of BT’s Patent and Trademark Attorneys would be significantly reduced.

What you’ll be doing

•Manage a team of IP paralegals to provide formalities, document management, and accounts administration services to BT’s patent attorneys, trademark attorneys, and IP solicitors, enabling them to maximise the time spent on professional legal work.
•Collaborate with BT’s patent and trademark attorneys to continuously update and improve services, ensuring alignment with changes in best practices, legal requirements, and evolving business needs.
•Ensure accurate accounts administration and reporting related to BT’s registered IP rights, including maintaining official fee accounts and coordinating with BT’s finance teams and external suppliers.
•Oversee the completeness and accuracy of data stored in the IP Management System.
•Provide regular and ad-hoc reports based on data within the IP Management System.

The skills you'll need

•Patent Administrators Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
•Trade Mark Administrators Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys
•Strong management and leadership skills
•Effective problem-solving and process improvement skills
•Proficiency in data extraction and analysis
•Excellent administration skills

•Mandatory: A minimum of three years' experience handling multinational patent and trademark formalities.
•Preferred: Experience using reporting software to generate reports based on data from an IP Management System.
•Preferred: Experience managing formalities staff.

Benefits

At BT, we entertain, educate, and empower millions of people every single day. We’re a brand built on connecting people – whether that’s friends, family, businesses, or communities. Working here, you’ll receive an attractive salary and a range of competitive benefits, but – more than that – you’ll be joining an ambitious organisation with a culture of togetherness, collaboration, and inclusivity, that takes a genuine and proactive interest in your progress and development.

•Up to a 10% on-target bonus
•BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% Employee contribution, BT contribution 10%
•25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service
•Huge range of flexible benefits including cycle to work, healthcare, season ticket loan
•World-class training and development opportunities
•Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes.
•Discounted broadband, mobile and TV packages
•Access to 100’s of retail discounts including the BT shop
•50% off EE mobile pay monthly or SIM only plans and 50% discount for friends and family on EE SIM only plans
•Great support for working parents including pay whilst on maternity, adoptive, and paternity leave
•Brand new electric vehicle salary sacrifice arrangement, known as ‘My EV’