Associate Director / Director – IP Services

Job Description

Role Overview

Lead the Center of Excellence for Anaqua's IP Services Department including patent annuities and trademark renewals related processes, compliances and formalities. Drive operational excellence, process transformation, and client success while building and scaling high-performing teams.

• Own and manage payments related processes, including patent annuities and trademark renewals lifecycle management across jurisdictions
• Ensure delivery aligned with SLAs, KPIs, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance standards
• Lead process transitions ensuring smooth onboarding, knowledge transfer, and stabilization
• Develop and implement process maps (AS-IS / TO-BE), SOPs, and governance frameworks for renewals operations
• Drive continuous improvement, automation, and efficiency initiatives across annuities and renewals workflows
• Build and scale teams through strategic hiring, onboarding, and capability development
• Lead and manage multi-functional renewals teams (processing, QA), ensuring productivity and performance
• Act as primary client contact for renewals portfolios, ensuring high satisfaction, retention, and service excellence
• Manage internal and external stakeholders, including client IP teams, law firms, agents, vendors, and internal cross-functional teams
• Lead governance calls, portfolio reviews, and escalation management
• Support business growth initiatives, including renewals solutioning, RFPs, and account expansion opportunities
• Oversee renewals operations on IP management platforms, ensuring data integrity, reporting, and system optimization
• Lead system transitions, migrations, and process transformation initiatives related to renewals
• Ensure compliance with global IP renewal regulations, deadlines, and data security standards; proactively mitigate risks

• 15+ years of experience in Intellectual Property services, with strong focus on patent annuities and trademark renewals
• Deep expertise in global renewals processes, docketing, and IP lifecycle management
• Proven experience in operations leadership, process transitions, team building, and client management

• Renewals & annuities operations leadership
• Process mapping & continuous improvement
• Team building & people management
• Client & stakeholder management (internal & external)
• Strategic thinking with execution focus
• Strong communication and commercial acumen

• Working knowledge of AQX (Anaqua)

• SLA adherence and renewal timeliness
• Accuracy and compliance in renewals processing
• Client satisfaction and retention
• Revenue growth and portfolio expansion
• Team productivity and engagement
• Process efficiency and automation impact