IP US Patent Manager

Cooley•Washington DC, DC

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

Cooley is seeking an IP US Patent Manager to join its IP Services team. The role supports practitioners in the Patent Prosecution and Counseling practice group, with a focus on client management, efficiency, process improvement, risk management, quality control, workflow, and the client service processes of the US Filing Specialist (USFS) team. The manager also partners with client service management to support internal client service and create and maintain client service metrics, while overseeing the USFS team’s daily administrative operations. The position provides leadership and operational oversight for the USFS team, manages staffing, workload, performance, training, service quality, and financial processes, and collaborates on client service projects and initiatives. It also serves as a local-office IP Services resource, supporting effective operations, engagement, communication, and coordination with practitioners and business professionals. The position follows Cooley’s hybrid schedule philosophy. Employees working hybrid schedules must work remotely from their regular state of residence and remain within commuting distance of a Cooley office; the department director or manager provides guidance on scheduling and in-office expectations. The role may require extended or weekend hours and travel. The expected annual pay range for a full-time schedule is $130,000–$195,000, with final compensation dependent on geographic location, applicable experience, and skillset. Senior-level candidates may be considered for a higher salary range based on experience.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in an IP-related role.
Project management experience.
After orientation at Cooley LLP, proficiency in Microsoft Office, iManage, and other firm applications.
Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours as required.
Ability to travel as required.
Entrepreneurial nature, excellent attention to detail, exceptional interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills, and the ability to organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple activities under tight timelines.
Ability to drive projects to completion and achieve goals, with strong judgment and a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
Ability to handle and maintain confidentiality regarding firm information, projects, and client data.
High level of professionalism, ability to lead through influence and develop talent, a proactive and analytical mindset, and effective presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Supervisory experience in a professional services or law firm environment, including the ability to manage, coach, and motivate.
Previous law firm experience.
Experience researching IP statuses and histories in PTO databases, including USPTO Patent Center, WIPO Patentscope, and international patent sites such as USPTO Global Dossier, EPO Patent Register, and CIPO.
Working knowledge of USPTO procedures, 37 C.F.R., and the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP), and keeping abreast of applicable rules.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, mentorship, and operational oversight for the USFS team and its functional areas.
Manage USFS caseloads, client assignments, workload, and capacity with Supervisors and Leads; rebalance assignments and address coverage or workload concerns.
Manage the day-to-day performance of USFS Supervisors and Leads, setting expectations and priorities and supporting consistent team execution.
Delegate responsibilities to Supervisors and Leads and follow up on assignments, service needs, deadlines, and performance expectations.
Develop metrics and accountability measures to improve team performance, efficiency, and accuracy.
Review, develop, and recommend service offerings to maximize USFS team utilization at a cost-effective price point.
Communicate with patent practitioners to support effective client service that meets or exceeds expectations.
Develop structured USFS training and development with Supervisors and Leads; provide coaching and feedback and support team members’ skills and increased responsibility.
Identify and coordinate staffing and resources for USFS special projects.
Ensure effective coverage for practitioners and client teams.
Ensure timely and accurate entry of billable and non-billable time, review IntApp entries before month-end closing, and manage collection realization rates for billed services.
Enter billable time and fixed fees, as appropriate.
Propose and implement the annual business plan.
Lead and support timely completion of IP Client Service projects and initiatives.
Work with client service managers to identify issues, compliance concerns, risks, and team priorities and propose courses of action.
Collaborate on short- and long-term client assignments and reassignments.
Reinforce quality and procedural standards, review recurring or material issues, ensure corrective action and training, and escalate significant risks or service concerns to the Director as appropriate.
Conduct quality-control reviews with client service managers to ensure client-facing specialist work is accurate, consistent, and follows 37 C.F.R., best practices, and other procedural guidelines.
Support the day-to-day and long-term success of the Quality Control function and program in collaboration with the IP Quality Control Manager and leads.
Support optimal client service during assignment transitions and monitor specialist-practitioner pairings to create efficient and balanced teams.
Identify opportunities to improve US patent filing workflows through automation, AI, and technology; collaborate on initiatives, testing, implementation, feedback gathering, training, and adoption of approved solutions.
Work with the IP Senior Practice Support Manager (US) to identify and support development and utilization opportunities for the IP Practice Support Assistant and Patent Formalities teams.
Serve as a local-office IP Services manager resource and oversee daily operations to ensure group-wide services are effective.
Support business professional and timekeeper engagement in local office events and culture.
Build collaborative relationships with practitioners and business professionals and serve as a key contact for IP Services support and solutions.
Communicate local issues to appropriate IP leadership and troubleshoot issues affecting IP team members in the same office to support practitioner and client needs.

Benefits

Competitive compensation.
Medical benefits and a health savings account with an applicable medical plan.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Pre-tax commuter benefits.
Life insurance and AD&D coverage.
Long-term care coverage.
Backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits.
Firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage for benefited employees.
Short-term medical benefits for benefited employees.
21 days of paid time off each year for benefited employees.
10 paid holidays each year for benefited employees.
Generous parental leave.
Fertility benefits.
Benefit orientation for new employees.