Intellectual Property Manager

MBDA S.A.S.; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization is seeking an Intellectual Property Manager to oversee patent management and strategy in Stevenage. The ideal candidate will manage patent filings, lead the IP protection committee and contribute to company-wide IP strategies. Applicants should have a strong background in Engineering or Natural Sciences and expertise in Intellectual Property management. This position offers a competitive salary and various employee benefits, including flexible working arrangements and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus additional years of service leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Healthworks Gym Membership

Private Medical Insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience managing patent filings and portfolios.
• Strong understanding of Intellectual Property strategies.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage patent filings and prepare decisions for MBDA UK.
• Lead the national IP protection committee and contribute to IP strategy.
• Develop and implement IP processes relevant to MBDA UK.

Skills

Patent attorney knowledge

Ability to work with an international environment

Capability to assess IP decisions

Capability to analyse inventions

Management of patent portfolios

Use of IP Tools

Education

Engineering or natural science background

Tools

Patent database

IP asset management tool

Job description

The Intellectual Property Manager role is to manage the Intellectual Property (IP) for MBDA UK. The key duties of the role are:

• Management of patent filings together with external Patent Attorneys, patent monitoring and assessment, coordinate the preparation of oppositions against competitors´ patents, managing the inventions and patent portfolio
• Prepare MBDA UK decisions for patent filing
• Lead the national IP protection committee (IPPC)
• Contribute to the Group MBDA IP strategy and policy
• Liaise with the external Patent Attorneys, patent authorities and cooperation partners
• Develop and implement IP processes and strategies relevant to MBDA UK based on the Group IP Policy and strategy decision
• Contribute to MBDA Group initiatives and documents and exchange of best practice with the other IP managers
• Analysis of IP status in MBDA UK and provision of recommendations (e.g., exchange of IP between Natcos)
• Ensure that strategy and policy is applied and escalates exceptions to the Head of Intellectual Property
• Increase awareness of Intellectual property in MBDA UK to avoid infringement of third‑party IP and protect MBDA IP
• Analyse, implement and use IP Tools e.g., for patent monitoring, freedom‑to‑operate analysis and alert functions and implement a Patent database and IP asset management tool
• Monitor performance of MBDA UK IP organisation and implement improvement actions
• Assess potential and cost of litigation actions (together with Legal and Patent Attorneys) and elevate to the Head of IP, Management Committee and Legal for a decision
• Support and provide strategic IP advice to Commercial, Engineering, Legal and Procurement, Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays. After 5, 10 and 15 years of service, an additional day of annual leave is added to your allowance at each of these milestones. You can also enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll. We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective. Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Depending on your role and function, this may include options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more.
• Our MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a ‘Defined Contribution’ plan in the Mercer Master Trust. The standard contributions are 4% of an employee’s base salary and 6% employer contributions. You can increase both employee and employer contributions by up to 2%. Financial Awareness – Employees have access to free financial webinars hosted throughout the year, along with access to a financial education website which provides plenty of useful hints, tips and guidance on managing financial wellness. Share Incentive Plan – Acquire shares in our UK Shareholder, BAE Systems PLC, the scheme is tax efficient on shares purchased. Mortgage Advice – As part of our financial wellbeing initiative employees can access free of charge mortgage advice and webinars. Season Ticket Loan – Employees can borrow the value of public transport season ticket for bus or train journeys to and from work and spread the cost over 12 months. Critical Illness – To help reduce the financial impact after being diagnosed with a critical illness, employees receive a tax‑free lump sum payment that can be used for any purpose including covering medical expenses, adjustments to lifestyle and more. Employee Assistance Programme – The Employee Assistance Programme is free, independent, confidential and is available 24 hours a day/365 days a year. Employees have access to short‑term counselling (which includes up to 8 structured face to face, telephone or virtual sessions). Voluntary Private Medical Insurance – Private Medical Insurance offers three healthcare plans to suit your individual requirements for you and your family. Funded Private Medical Insurance – Eligible employees (Grade C & Above) are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit. Dental Insurance – The Dental Insurance benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday dental expenses such as, minor treatments, routine examinations, restorative treatment and more. There are six levels of cover available, with each level providing increased claim limits. Healthcare Cash Plan – The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more. There are six levels of cover available, with each level providing increased claim limits. Healthcare and Leisure – The Healthcare and Leisure benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as medical fees, dentist fees, opticians and also provides access to special deals and concessions on sporting and recreational facilities.
• Patent attorney and/or Intellectual Property knowledge
• Engineering or natural science background
• Capability to assess the implication of IP decisions for MBDA
• Capability to analyse an invention for the business and translate it into the most appropriate scheme
• Ability to work with an international environment
• Ability to manage and use IP Tools
• MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom. We are proud of our employee‑led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more… We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.
• Healthworks Gym Membership – The Healthworks on‑site gym at our Stevenage site offers a range of facilities and equipment, alongside a variety of classes available during the week. Annual Gym Membership – Take advantage of discounted membership at over 3,600 of the UK’s leading gym chains, leisure centres, hotel health clubs, independent gyms, boot camps and yoga studios. The Club – The Club provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy great social activities – from theatre trips, days out, to sporting activities.
• We’re proud to be a nationally recognised employer at MBDA. We have received a range of employer awards including Glassdoor Best Places to Work 2022; Gold awards from Investors in People, the 5% Club, and Armed Forces Covenant. We are also currently ranked #1 in the UK’s Best Big Companies to Work For 2022 league table, as well as #1 for Manufacturing.
• Salary: Circa £75,000 depending on experience. Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days per week on‑site due to workload classification. Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team. What we can offer you: Company Bonus – Bonus of up to 27% of base salary; Car Allowance; Pension – maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%; Private medical cover; Flexible working – We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements; Enhanced parental leave – offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave – enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments; Facilities – Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more… We recognise that having or adopting a child is a significant life event for our employees and as a family friendly employer we offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions to support employees before, during and after a period of leave.
• Lifestyle – Discounts & Vouchers; Costco – Permanent employees of MBDA qualify for Costco’s individual membership; Technology Vouchers – Purchase the latest gadgets and white goods up to the value of £2,500 and spread the cost over 12 months; Charity Donations – Donate up to five charities each month, with full tax relief on all donations; MyCar Scheme – The MBDA MyCar Scheme offers employees the opportunity to access up to two new vehicles via a salary sacrifice arrangement including an all‑inclusive package; Holiday Purchase – Purchase up to 5 days extra holiday whilst making tax and National Insurance savings, spreading the cost over 12 months.
• Development of our people is of vital importance to us at MBDA, which is why we ensure everyone has access to the teams, tools and resources needed to achieve their goals. This includes our dedicated in‑house Learning & Development team, our Apprenticeship programmes, a variety of online learning platforms, and much more. We encourage new learning and will provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study in your own time. If you lead a team, or hope to do so in the future, we offer a range of management training opportunities, with paths designed for people of all experience levels.
• Dynamic Working – We want our people to work when and where they feel they can be most effective. For most of our employees, we have a flexi‑time scheme that allows you to choose, within certain parameters, when you start and finish each day and how you can use time you have accrued. For roles that do not have to be based on one of our sites full‑time, you will have opportunities to work from home as part of your agreed Dynamic Working arrangement. If you have worked the time, you are also able to accrue and take up to 15 days of Flexi‑leave per annum, in addition to the 25 days of annual leave provided and bank holidays.
• Security Clearance – All employees at MBDA are required to hold UK Security or BPSS Clearance.