IP Administration Manager

IP Administration Manager
Location: Derby (Hybrid/Office-Based)
Hours: Full-time
Firm: Swindell & Pearson

Swindell & Pearson is a leading firm of patent and trade mark attorneys, headquartered in Derby. Our clients include a diverse mix of innovative businesses - from start-ups and universities to multinational corporations and well-known household names - across the UK, Europe, the USA and Asia.

We’re looking for an experienced IP Administration Manager to join our dedicated team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong IP formalities experience who enjoys leading a team, improving processes, and ensuring the smooth running of administrative operations.

IP Administration Manager - About the Role

Our IP Support Department handles a wide range of administrative matters relating to patents, registered designs, and trade marks. These include:

• Patent formalities such as UK and European examination requests, grants, validations, UPC opt-outs, and renewals.
• Registered design and trade mark matters including publication, registration, and renewals.

As IP Administration Manager, you’ll play a key role in ensuring that all formalities are handled accurately, efficiently and in compliance with relevant legal requirements. The role will be hybrid/office-based.

IP Administration Manager - Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and distribute work within the department to maintain balanced workloads.
• Monitor staff productivity and ensure deadlines are met across all IP support functions.
• Review, improve, and document departmental procedures to reflect changes in law and best practice.
• Maintain and update our case management system (Inprotech) as required.
• Review and electronically file official documents at the EPO and UKIPO.
• Forecast upcoming official fees and manage deposit accounts.
• Manage the formalities process for cases transferred from other firms or in-house teams.
• Carry out a range of hands-on formalities tasks as needed.

IP Administration Manager - About You

• You have previous experience in an IP administration or formalities role.
• You’re confident managing deadlines, people and processes in a busy professional environment.
• You have excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Experience with Inprotech is an advantage, but not essential - training will be provided.

Why Join Us?

At Swindell & Pearson, you’ll join a supportive and professional team committed to quality and client care. We value initiative, continuous improvement, and collaboration, and offer a friendly working environment with opportunities for professional development.