Legal Administrator

We are seeking a highly organised and detail-oriented Legal Administrator to join our legal team with a special focus on managing and overseeing Intellectual Property-related matters including Trademark and Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR) applications compliance and enforcement across multiple jurisdictions globally. This role will involve coordinating with legal and compliance teams managing documentation for trademark and PBR submissions and ensuring compliance with international trademark and PBR regulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong administrative background in legal environments with a deep understanding of intellectual property law and the ability to handle trademark and PBR processes across various countries.

Location : Cape Town or Durban

Key Performance Outputs

• Manage PBR & Trademark Applications: Oversee the preparation, submission, and monitoring of global Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR) and trademark applications ensuring compliance with international regulations.
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Stay updated on global intellectual property laws related to plant variety protection and trademarks advising internal stakeholders on compliance requirements.
• Documentation & Record-Keeping: Maintain a centralised database of all PBR and trademark filings, licenses, renewals, and legal correspondence to ensure accurate recordkeeping and easy retrieval.
• Trademark & PBR Renewals: Track and manage renewal deadlines for PBR and trademark registrations ensuring timely submissions to prevent expirations or legal disputes.
• Contract & Licensing Support: Assist in the drafting, reviewing, and management of licensing agreements, contracts, and compliance documents for intellectual property rights.
• Stakeholder & Legal Liaison: Act as the primary contact for external legal counsel, regulatory bodies, and internal teams regarding IP-related matters.
• Enforcement & Infringement Monitoring: Assist in monitoring and enforcing trademark and PBR rights, identifying potential infringements, and supporting legal actions when necessary.
• Legal Research & Reporting: Conduct legal research on PBR and trademark laws, competitor filings, and market trends providing reports to management on changes and best practices.
• Training & Awareness: Educate internal teams on trademark and PBR compliance, filing processes, and regulatory updates to ensure company-wide adherence to IP laws.
• General Legal Administrative Support: Provide administrative assistance to the legal team including preparing legal documents, proofreading contracts, and coordinating legal operations in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Qualification / Experience

• Bachelor's degree in law, intellectual property, or a related field / OR equivalent legal experience.
• Proven experience in a legal administrative or paralegal role with a strong focus on intellectual property or plant breeding rights.
• Experience with international plant variety protection laws and regulatory bodies (e.g. European Union, South America, United States, Canada, Australia).
• Familiarity with agricultural law, plant genetics, and biotechnology industries.
• Fluency in additional languages (e.g. French, Spanish, German) is advantageous.

Functional / Technical

• Knowledge of Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR) laws and global IP practices (experience in managing PBRs across multiple countries is a plus).
• Knowledge of trademark laws and related global practices.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple global applications and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of legal terminology, contract management, and compliance requirements.
• Experience with intellectual property management software and databases.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to liaise with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a global team with flexibility and adaptability to different legal environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) with knowledge of document management systems.