About Your Role:
As our newest Patent Formalities Lead, you will manage a team to drive the efficiency of our core Incoming Lodgements related functions, bringing and developing in-depth knowledge of the Patent formalities workflow, SG filing, and working knowledge in SEA filing formalities.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Mailbox Management
- Monitor and manage the mailbox on a daily basis, ensuring timely handling of all incoming correspondence.
- Attend to and respond to client emails in a professional and accurate manner.
- Respond to queries from agents and liaise with them on case-related matters.
- Manage and respond to executive emails, escalating or prioritising matters where required.
- Allocate and assign incoming work to the appropriate staff members based on workload and urgency.
2. Critical Filing Deadlines & Case Monitoring
- Monitor all critical filing deadlines to ensure compliance with due dates and client requirements.
- Proactively monitor and track assigned work, maintaining clear visibility over upcoming and urgent deadlines, and follow up with agents, staff, and executives to promptly address issues and ensure completion by required due dates.
3. WIP Management
- Review and clear WIPs on a regular basis to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
- Identify and remove duplicate WIPs.
- Update WIPs to the correct executive or staff where necessary.
- Ensure WIP records are properly maintained and accurate at all times.
4. Singapore (SG) Deficiencies & Notifications
- Review SG deficiencies and official notifications.
- Assign deficiency-related tasks and/or notifications to appropriate staff for follow-up to clients.
- Monitor progress and ensure deficiencies are addressed within prescribed timelines.
- Coordinate with clients, agents and/or internal stakeholders to resolve outstanding deficiencies efficiently, where applicable
5. Team Management & Operational Support
- Manage day-to-day operations, including resource and leave planning, and work allocation to ensure smooth delivery of work
- Oversee onboarding and induction of new starters, and provide ongoing operational guidance and training for existing staff as required
- Monitor team workload and performance, conduct check-ins, and prepare reports on team performance and operational metrics, escalating risks or issues where required
What You Bring:
- Minimum of three years experience in a related patent formalities role or similar in the Intellectual Property industry.
- Experience in managing a team of staff and performance management.
- Demonstrates strong ownership, accountability, and attention to detail.
- Communicates effectively, prioritises work well, and works collaboratively with stakeholders. and team members.
About Us:
Established in 1887, Spruson & Ferguson is one of the largest intellectual property (IP) service providers in the Asia-Pacific. As a leading Asia-Pacific IP firm, we have offices in Australia, China (Beijing and Hong Kong), Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand as well as direct filing capabilities in Brunei, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Over the years Spruson & Ferguson has established itself as a regional IP hub, offering the highest standard of service to our clients throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Spruson & Ferguson companies are members of the IPH Limited group, which includes a range of professional services firms operating under a number of brands in a range of jurisdictions.
About Our Benefits:
- Global environment with exposure to international colleagues and culture.
- Comprehensive mentorship, training, and career development opportunities.
- A supportive, flexible, and inclusive work environment.
- Competitive annual remuneration and benefits package, including 13th month bonus and variable performance bonus.
