Associate Director - Docketing, IP Operations

Role Summary

Associate Director - Docketing, IP Operations. Provide leadership and direction to a team of internal and external docketing professionals focused on global IP correspondence and data management within Lilly IP Operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to a team of internal and external docketing professionals.
• Oversee workload distribution, task allocation, vendor resources, and ensure team members meet performance objectives.
• Identify training needs and develop and conduct training sessions for team members on docketing procedures, best practices, and new processes.
• Lead process improvement initiatives to drive team productivity and effectiveness.
• Anticipate and resolve key issues related to management of global IP correspondence and data management.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures related to incoming communication and docketing to ensure that they are streamlined, efficient, and tasks are assigned to the appropriate docketer.
• Assess the potential impact of industry changes on workflow and documented procedures.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of intellectual property (IP) industry rules and regulations.
• Research and provide requested information directly to the originator where appropriate.
• Identify areas for improvement in the communication and task assignment processes and implement changes as necessary to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Supervise and influence the creation of new matter records, adhering to strategies defined by the appropriate business unit general patent counsel.
• Collaborate with and influence cross-functional teams to support Lilly IP Operations.
• Maintain docketing playbook and other work instructions to ensure team practices are up to date.
• Take on other related duties as needed to enhance operational efficiency and support Lilly IP Operations.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor Degree or High School Diploma/GED
• Required: 3+ years of patent and/or trademark docketing management experience in a law firm or corporate setting
• Required: Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis (no visa sponsorship provided)
• Preferred: Proficient and experienced with IP management software
• Preferred: Knowledge of global patent prosecution and laws
• Preferred: Experience with patent and trademark annuity/renewal payments
• Preferred: Excellent oral and written communication, facilitation, and project/stakeholder management skills
• Preferred: Superior attention to detail, robust proofreading skills, and problem-solving capabilities
• Preferred: Strong organizational skills and ability to work with minimal supervision on multiple projects with shifting priorities
• Preferred: Professional demeanor with ability to represent the IP Operations team and maintain confidentiality
• Preferred: Sound judgment and solution-oriented approach
• Preferred: Experience in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry
• Preferred: Experience across a large portfolio in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities
• Preferred: Experience implementing automated and/or AI solutions

Skills

• IP management software proficiency
• Global patent prosecution knowledge
• Project and stakeholder management
• Communication and collaboration across cross-functional teams
• Attention to detail and proofreading
• Confidentiality and professional demeanor
• Problem-solving and adaptability to multiple projects

Education

• Bachelor Degree or High School Diploma/GED