Group Patent Counsel

About the role

Verisure, a European provider of professionally monitored security systems, is looking for a Group Patent Counsel to join its fast-growing Legal team and report to the Group IP Director. The role supports the Technology teams and business leaders in protecting, defending, using and managing technical intellectual property, in a fast-paced, agile, international and entrepreneurial environment. It is based in Geneva.

Key responsibilities

• Build strong knowledge of Verisure technologies and maintain close links with the Technology and Procurement teams
• Support invention harvesting, invention disclosures and collaboration with R&D teams throughout the innovation lifecycle
• Contribute to improving IP processes and governance, including invention disclosure and incentive frameworks
• Ensure technical innovations are protected through registered IP, trade secrets and proper handling of confidential information
• Prepare, file and prosecute patent, utility model and registered design applications, with outside counsel where appropriate
• Provide freedom-to-operate assessments and advice to avoid infringing third-party IP rights
• Handle IP infringement and validity assessments, enforcement, defence against infringement claims, oppositions and nullity proceedings
• Manage patent watches and other patent searches
• Advise internal stakeholders on patents, utility models, registered designs, trade secrets and confidential information
• Develop and manage global patent, utility model and registered design portfolios with internal and external counsel
• Work with business stakeholders to develop and deploy the IP strategy, and draft IP policies and guidelines
• Deliver training to build a culture of IP and take part in transformation initiatives within the IP team

Required profile

• Patent attorney qualification, preferably the European Patent Attorney qualification together with a corresponding national qualification
• Around 3-5 years of post-qualification experience in a fast-paced multinational company or law firm, in technical fields such as complex system-based technologies combining hardware, software and connectivity, and products deployed at scale
• Experience advising business stakeholders, with the ability to grow into more senior interactions
• Fluency in English; other European languages are an asset

Required skills

• Strategic thinking and exceptional communication skills
• Pragmatic, hands-on approach with effective time and project management
• Strong EQ, judgment and leadership, able to persuade and make decisions independently
• Attention to detail and technical rigour