Associate Director, Legal - Intellectual Property (IP) Technology & Operations

Job DescriptionThe Office of General Counsel is seeking an Associate Director, Legal - Intellectual Property (IP) Technology & Operationsto provide application administration and technology management support to the Intellectual Property (IP) organization.Primary responsibilities are to oversee and manage the cloud-based Intellectual property (IP) management system and cloud-based Intellectual property (IP) document management system; enhance IP’s tools and technology portfolio and information governance programs; and design and lead technology-related solutions to further the strategic goals of the department.A successful candidate should possess prior application administration experience, strong project management skills and a curiosity for applying emerging technology. This is a people manager role and is responsible for managing two legal support professionals.Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:Intellectual property (IP) Application Administration• Product owner and application administrator of the cloud-based IP management system (TIPMS) and cloud-based IP document management system (First-to-File)• Responsible for the configuration, administration, and continuous enhancement of above systems• Evaluate, test and provide training for database version releases and new features, manage data migration and improvement projects• Apply country law updates to the IP management system and create custom rules and codes• Design and deliver new process workflows or data-related projects and other process improvements• Design and manage custom forms, emails and automated reporting• Prepare and generate statistical and ad hoc reports and design and manage custom dashboards• Prepare and generate audit and data integrity reports to identify, investigate and resolve anomalies• Ensure compliance with all corporate and departmental IT risk management policies and practicesIntellectual property (IP)Technology Management• Design and implement a long-term technology roadmap that furthers the strategic goals of the Intellectual property (IP) department withing our OGC (Office of General Counsel)• Assess existing and emerging technology capabilities (e.g. Microsoft 365 applications, generative AI, machine learning, predictive coding, etc.) to improve technology utilization and operational efficiency• Evaluate new vendors, suppliers, and solutions to make determinations on where to build, where to buy and where to wait• Evaluate, test, deploy, and support technology initiatives, ensuring efficient implementation and ongoing functionality; develops standard processes, procedures, and reports for such projects• Create, sustain, and strengthen vendor relationships to understand and influence their product roadmaps• Maintain strong working relationships with the IT organization, while taking a customer point of view when examining implications of systems, process, or workflow changesOperational Excellence• Actively engage with members of the Intellectual property (IP) department to develop a deep understanding of the department’s needs and align technology initiatives with organizational priorities• Continuously assess and identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness through process reengineering, standardized reporting, and automation• Automate manual processes, digitize physical tasks, and improve speed and quality through effective change management and the strategic deployment of technology solutions• Leverage cross-functional relationships to influence the development and adoption of new processes/technologies to make a significant impact across the broader legal organization• Participate in industry/corporate legal operations roundtables, user conferences, industry benchmarking studies to provide best practices and recommendations to IP Senior LeadershipInformation Governance• Enhance and support the company’s records management strategy and framework, including e-discovery, legal hold, and information review and preservation activities• Ensure appropriate security for official records and information and oversee access to all sensitive, confidential, and restricted information• Support and enhance the IP department’s internal and company-facing content management and collaboration tools and sites• Enable efficiencies by ensuring seamless access to departmental institutional knowledge through the organization and centralization of key templates, policies, processes, memos, and other learningsCommute/Location:• This role is based at our Headquarters site in Rahway (NJ), with a Hybrid setup (combination of 3 days in-office & 2 days off-site/remote).• This position cannot be 100% remote.Position Qualifications:Education Minimum Requirement:• Bachelor’s degree requiredRequired Experience and Skills:• Five (5) years of relevant legal technology (Intellectual property (IP)) experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, or other legal services provider environment• Familiarity with different IP practice areas, including terminology, roles, work product, and technology preferred• Strong technical skills; advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with legal technologies (e.g., deal management, rights management, e-billing, contract and document management, e-signature, knowledge management)• Experience maintaining a legal database, testing software patches and updates, configuring new features, managing user access, onboarding and offboarding, and training users on new features• Experience in legal technology assessments, requirements gathering, system design, configuration, implementation, testing and deployment• Experience negotiating and reviewing vendor contracts, renewals, and statements of work• Proven track record of dissecting complex processes, identifying critical pain points, and implementing solutions that meet stakeholder’s expectations• Excellent project management skills with experience improving operational efficiencies through automation and technology solutions• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills (both oral and written) with experience presenting and concisely communicating complex information to all levels of an organization• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with stakeholders, different functional areas, and external partners• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and utilize new software programs and tools• Flexible to evolving in line with advancing legal technology landscapePreferred Experience and Skills:• Experience as a patent paralegal and/or IP database administrator• Experience creating computer macros in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Visual Basic• Experience utilizing low-code development tools, specifically Microsoft Power Platform• Experience utilizing business intelligence software, specifically Crystal Reports and SisenseNOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTSIn accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.Current Employees apply HERECurrent Contingent Workers apply HEREUS and Puerto Rico Residents Only:Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:EEOC Know Your RightsEEOC GINA Supplement​Pay Transparency NondiscriminationWe are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State ActsU.S. Hybrid Work ModelEffective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.Expected US salary range:$122,800.00 - $193,300.00Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of benefits is listed here.San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance OrdinanceLos Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring OrdinanceSearch Firm Representatives Please Read CarefullyMerck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.Employee Status:RegularRelocation:No relocationVISA Sponsorship:NoTravel Requirements:No Travel RequiredFlexible Work Arrangements:Not ApplicableShift:1st - DayValid Driving License:NoHazardous Material(s):N?AJob Posting End Date:11/10/2024• A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.Requisition ID:R316035