Senior Intellectual Property Counsel

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Career growth

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Annual leave

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a seasoned Senior Intellectual Property Counsel to join its legal department in a fully remote capacity in South Africa. You will protect and maximize the value of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, develop IP strategy, and manage global portfolios with autonomy.

The role requires Admitted Attorney of the High Court of SA with 6+ years in IP, strong drafting, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration with R&D, marketing, and business development

Qualifications

• Admitted attorney with at least 6 years in IP law.
• Experience in patent and trademark prosecution, IP strategy, and transactions.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills; able to work remotely.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement IP strategies aligned with business goals.
• Manage filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patents and trademarks globally.
• Advise on IP-related agreements (licensing, R&D, NDAs) and due diligence.
• Handle IP disputes and provide guidance on copyright and trade secret issues.
• Collaborate with R&D, marketing, and business teams to protect innovations.

Skills

IP law

Patent prosecution

Trademark prosecution

Negotiation

Drafting

Remote work

Cross-functional collaboration

Data privacy

Education

Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Job description

About the Role

Our client, WhatJobs Direct, is looking for a seasoned Senior Intellectual Property (IP) Counsel to join their legal department in a fully remote capacity. This role is crucial for protecting and maximizing the value of the company's intellectual property assets, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. You will be responsible for developing and executing IP strategies, managing IP portfolios, and providing expert legal advice on all IP-related matters. As a remote-first organization, we offer a flexible and dynamic work environment where you can leverage your expertise to its fullest. This position requires a deep understanding of IP law, strong strategic thinking, and the ability to work effectively with R&D, marketing, and business development teams. If you are an experienced IP lawyer seeking a challenging and rewarding role with significant autonomy, this is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-thinking company from anywhere in South Africa .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive intellectual property strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Manage the filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patents, trademarks, and other IP rights globally.
• Conduct IP due diligence for strategic transactions, including M&A, licensing, and collaborations.
• Advise on IP-related agreements, such as licensing, R&D, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Manage IP disputes, including infringement assessments, cease and desist actions, and litigation support.
• Provide counsel on copyright, trade secret, and data privacy matters.
• Work closely with R&D and product teams to identify and protect new inventions and innovations.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses and risk assessments.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a minimum of 6 years of experience focused on intellectual property law.
• Proven experience in patent and trademark prosecution, IP strategy development, and IP transactions.
• Strong understanding of IP laws in key jurisdictions, including South Africa.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and drafting skills.
• Ability to manage a global IP portfolio and work independently in a remote setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Experience in patent litigation or trademark disputes is highly desirable.
• A background in a relevant technical field (e.g., science, engineering) is an advantage.

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary of ZAR , commensurate with experience and expertise.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering significant flexibility and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to lead IP strategy for a growing innovative company.
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
• A supportive and collaborative remote team environment.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Generous annual leave allowance.