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Fenwick & West · 1 day ago

Associate Director, Patent Operations

San Francisco, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$168K/yr - $251K/yr

10+ years exp

Fenwick & West is seeking an Associate Director of Patent Operations who will serve as a strategic and operational leader within the Patent Practice Area. This role is responsible for driving excellence, innovation, and efficiency across all facets of patent operations, partnering closely with practice leadership and attorneys to ensure alignment with the firm’s strategic objectives.

Law Practice

Comp. & Benefits

Responsibilities

Partner with the IP Director and firm leadership to define and execute the operational strategy for the Patent Practice Group

Develop and implement multi-year operational roadmaps, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and alignment with firm priorities

Evaluate and optimize resource allocation, staffing models, and process workflows to drive sustainable performance

Lead the design and implementation of innovative operational frameworks and technology solutions to streamline workflows, specifically Patricia workflow designs and workflows with 3rd party solutions

Manage and share performance metrics to measure operational success and identify areas for improvement

Ensure compliance with firm policies, client guidelines, and applicable patent rules and regulations

Develop, maintain, and enforce operational policies, procedures, and best practices across all patent teams

Provide executive oversight and leadership to the patent docketing department, the international filing department, the legal support analysts, and related operational teams

Mentor and develop managers and teams lead to strengthen leadership capabilities

Champion a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and client service excellence

Lead change management initiatives to support new technologies, processes, and organizational structures

Partner with firm departments such as Finance, IT, HR, and Risk Management to ensure cohesive operational integration

Collaborate with partners and practice leaders to anticipate client and business needs, ensuring operational readiness and agility

Collaborate with the trademark practice leadership to ensure consistency in resources and management within IP

Oversee the evaluation, implementation, and optimization of patent operations software and technology platforms, including closely collaborating with the patent practice support lawyer

Manage relationships and contracts with third-party vendors and service providers, ensuring value and alignment with firm standards

Develop and deliver executive-level reports and presentations highlighting performance trends, operational insights, and strategic recommendations

Monitor KPIs, operational data, and productivity metrics to guide decision-making and continuous improvement

Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving patent law regulations to proactively assess impact and opportunities

Represent the firm in industry groups and forums related to IP operations and management best practices

Travel to all firm offices on a quarterly basis is required to ensure consistent operational oversight, leadership presence, and cross-office/cross-practice alignment

Qualification

Patent prosecution processesOperational systems developmentIP docketing platformsLeadership in complex environmentsAnalyticalFinancial acumenMicrosoft Office proficiencyChange managementClient service excellenceHigh level of discretionExceptional communication skillsOrganizational skills

Required

In-depth knowledge of U.S. and foreign patent prosecution processes, docketing systems, and patent operations infrastructure

Demonstrated experience in building and scaling operational systems for large patent prosecution teams

Expertise in IP docketing and data management platforms, with proficiency in EFS, PAIR, EPAS, WIPO, and PTO Financial Manager

Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams in a complex, fast-paced environment

Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of the organization

Strong analytical and financial acumen, with experience interpreting and leveraging operational data to drive decisions

Ability to lead through change, inspire high performance, and foster a collaborative, high-trust culture

Strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate business needs and develop long-term solutions

Commitment to client service excellence and continuous improvement

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and patent management software platforms

Exceptional written, verbal, and organizational skills

High level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information

Minimum of (10) years of experience in patent operations and at least (5) years in a leadership/management capacity

Bachelor's degree required

Preferred

Advanced degree or project management certification (e.g., MBA, PMP, Lean Six Sigma)

Benefits

Healthcare

Life Insurance

Health Savings Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts

Wellbeing

Company

Fenwick & West

Fenwick is a leading law firm, purpose-built to guide visionary tech and life sciences companies and their investors through every stage of growth, from startups securing their first round of funding to leading publicly traded global enterprises.

Founded in 1972

Silicon Valley, CA, US

501-1000 employees