IP Supervisor

Gowling WLG; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Hybrid work

Parental leave top-up

Retirement plan

Disability insurance

Employee assistance

Job summary

Gowling WLG in Ottawa is seeking an IP Supervisor to lead the IP Services team. The role focuses on ensuring prosecution deadlines are met and delivering high-quality client service across Canada.

The successful candidate will supervise IP staff, coordinate resources, and train on the in-house IP database, while liaising with clients and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. You will report to the Senior Manager, IP Services and work in a hybrid environment.

Qualifications

• Legal Assistant Diploma/Certificate or Law Clerk Diploma/Certificate, College Degree or relevant experience.
• Minimum five years’ experience in Intellectual Property, including a minimum of one-year supervisory experience.
• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to lead a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the aptitude to work in a professional manner.
• Capacity to work independently, as well as in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate resources across practice groups to ensure high-quality client service in all offices.
• Supervise workflow of assigned team members including scheduling, performance management, and hiring decisions.
• Assist in prosecution of patents/trademarks and maintain the IP database with reports and data updates.
• Provide comprehensive training related to the IP database.
• Liaise with clients and officials at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).
• Serve as liaison between IP Professionals and IP/Legal Administrative Assistants.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Communication skills

Independent work

Stress management

Education

Legal Assistant Diploma/Certificate

Law Clerk Diploma/Certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Gowling WLG, our dedication to excellence and quality service begins with our people. As a global law firm with offices across Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we pride ourselves on sourcing and retaining top talent who bring energy, passion and commitment to the delivery of outstanding client service.

Employee satisfaction is important to us. We work hard to ensure that our people are motivated, engaged and empowered. We are guided by our firm’s Core Values - The Power of Teamwork, Always Striving to be Better, We all Bring Something Different - in all that we do.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are an integral part of our firm’s core values. We are always striving to build a more equitable, engaging and rewarding workplace by attracting and retaining talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Our aim is to help everyone reach their full potential and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Our diverse group of legal professionals, law students, law clerks, paralegals, legal administrative assistants and business services team members work together, and are respected and valued for their individual contributions.

PROFILE

The Ottawa office is currently seeking an IP Supervisor to join our IP department. The successful candidate will report to the Senior Manager, IP Services and is responsible for supervising the IP staff that provide support services to IP professionals in offices across Canada. This is a hands‑on position with the responsibility of ensuring that all IP prosecution deadlines are met on a daily basis while concurrently maintaining a high level of client service.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Effectively coordinate available resources across all practice groups to ensure that there is adequate coverage to deliver high quality client service to all offices.
• Supervise the workflow of your assigned team members including scheduling, performance management, hiring decisions and disciplinary actions.
• Assist in the prosecution of patents and/or trademarks preparing and reviewing documentation and maintaining our in‑house Intellectual Property database including but not limited to the creation of reports, handling complex data‑base updates and coordinating the intake of portfolios.
• Provide comprehensive training related to working with our In‑house Intellectual Property database.
• Liaise with clients and officials at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).
• Liaison between the IP Professionals and the IP/Legal Administrative Assistants.
• Any other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Legal Assistant Diploma/Certificate, or Law Clerk Diploma/Certificate, College Degree or relevant experience.
• Minimum five years’ experience in Intellectual Property, including a minimum of one-year supervisory experience.
• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to lead a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively, with the aptitude to work in a professional and courteous manner.
• Capacity to work independently, as well as in a team environment.
• Produce a high quality and quantity of work product, occasionally under tight timelines.
• Able to prioritize and to redefine priorities when necessary.
• Handle stress in a business‑like manner.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

BENEFITS/PERKS

Gowling WLG’s total rewards program is designed to foster a culture where high performance and personal well‑being go hand‑in‑hand. We support your career and life with:

• 100% employer‑paid health, dental, and mental health coverage, plus an annual lifestyle spending allowance
• Benefits coverage for Firm members and their dependents from day one!
• 15+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility
• Parental leave top‑up for 26 weeks (after 12 months of full‑time employment)
• Group Retirement Savings Plan with employer match
• Financial protection through short & long‑term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program, guided CBT, and an internal network of 120+ trained Mental Health First Aid responders
• Recognition awards, appreciation events, and a supportive, collaborative work culture
• Perks and preferred pricing programs, referral bonuses and more

The starting range for this role is $65,000 to $80,000. Starting salary will be determined based on an applicant’s individual skills, competencies and unique qualifications. Gowling WLG employees have the potential to exceed this range based on tenure and performance.

This position is currently vacant and is open to both internal and external candidates. Gowling WLG is recruiting for this role to support ongoing firm needs and team operations.

This employer may use tools within our applicant tracking system that include artificial intelligence–supported features, such as automated candidate matching. These tools do not make hiring decisions; all screening, assessments, and selections are reviewed and completed by human recruiters and hiring managers.

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are in need of accommodation or support at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.