IP Administrative Assistant

Are you an experienced legal operations assistant looking to broaden your horizons in a dynamic business environment?

We’re seeking a proactive and organised individual to join our in-house legal department, taking ownership of our legal and Intellectual Property (IP) team systems whilst also providing essential administrative support to the IP team.

About Us 
Tate and Lyle is a successful organisation with a clear purpose, ambition, strategy, and strong expert talent, solely focused on achieving its’ ambition as a world class ingredients solutions provider. We have expanded our plant-based footprint beyond corn into tapioca, stevia leaf, chickpea protein and soluble fibre to explore wider platforms for achieving our ambition. Achieving this ambition will require; development of new capabilities, reallocation of resources and investment to become a leaner, more agile company, leveraging latest technology, process insight and ways of working.

What we’re looking for:

• A person who thrives working with data, process and technology.

• Work experience in a legal operations or system administration role within professional services or commercial business administration.

• Solid knowledge of IP and/or legal management and billing systems, preferably IPfolio, Legal Tracker and/or HighQ. A basic understand of the principles of relational databases would be beneficial.

• A keen eye for detail, strong organisational skills, and a collaborative mindset.

• A degree in business administration is advantageous but not essential.

Role and Responsibilities include:

• Maintain accuracy and completeness of patent, trademark and domain records in IP management database (IPfolio) and matter management billing system (Legal Tracker) for global multi-client portfolio by creating, tracking, updating and auditing matters in the database.

• Tracking patent case record costs, working with Finance to ensure accuracy of capitalised spend and balance sheet review.

• Track IP statistics and provide updates as required to senior management.

• Maintain patent and trademark related contracts and agreements in legal document management database (HighQ).

• Collaborate with businesses and internal IP attorneys to assist with the gathering of information for and drafting of non-disclosure and material transfer agreements.

• Assist with preparation of, and management of, the annual IP budget.

• Prepare periodic financial analysis of patent and trademark spend, including assessing outside counsel costs, foreign associate costs and international filing costs, in order to facilitate recommendations for cost savings and value maximization.

• Manage, track and prepare the annual inventor payments schedule in accordance with the company’s IP Policy.

• Provide administrative support to members of the IP and wider legal team for special projects as they arise, for example supporting merger & acquisition and divestment activities.

• Provide divesture support regarding preparing IP schedules, gathering matter deadlines and assisting new IP owners with completing documentation necessary to transfer IP matters to new applicant by reviewing the documentation, requesting correction and facilitating the execution of documentation necessary to effect transfer of rights.

• Strong computer and internet research skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

• Must have outstanding organisational skills, keen attention to detail, and ability to multitask and prioritize projects which at times seem equal in importance.

• Ability to work well with all levels of internal management, staff and external partners.

• Excellent communication skills, strong analytical thinker, flexibility and a good team player.

• Must be able to deal with sensitive and confidential information in a discrete, mature and responsible manner.

What You'll Get
As business operating in 50 countries worldwide, we offer a global rewards package to all employees alongside a range of country-specific benefits. The global package includes a bonus scheme, 16-week Equal Parental Leave and mental health & well-being support.

• Flexible working policy

• Competitive salary

• Discretionary annual bonus

• Excellent employer pension contribution

• Personal private medical insurance

• Life assurance

Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.