Intellectual Property (IP) Specialist
Stafford (Staffordshire) 
Job description
  Job Description Summary    
 
The Intellectual Property (IP) Specialist is a strategic partner within GE Vernova’s Grid Systems Integration business, reporting to the Strategy & New Ventures organization. This role ensures that innovation and R&D outputs are effectively protected and leveraged to drive business growth. The position requires a unique blend of legal, technical, and commercial expertise to maximize the value of IP assets and align them with technology roadmaps and corporate objectives.
   Job Description    
   Key Responsibilities    
 
    IP Strategy & Portfolio Management    
 
·  Support, Develop and execute IP strategies that align with business objectives, technology roadmaps, and market opportunities. 
·  Collaborate with R&D and Project delivery engineering teams to identify innovation areas and ensure timely protection of IP. 
·  Manage Invention Capture & Evaluation process, working with inventors to capture Inventions clearly and accurately, and facilitating Patent Evaluation Board review panels, ensuring fair and strategic selection of inventions for protection. 
·  Coordinate with external patent attorneys on drafting, filing, and prosecution of patent applications. Ensure deadlines, compliance requirements, and budget considerations are met.  
   IP Commercialization & Risk Management    
 
·  Partner with business development, legal, and commercial teams to identify and execute IP monetization opportunities, including licensing, partnerships, and technology transactions. 
·  Manage and support activities relating to licensing, including: 
·  Licensing out; collaborate with New Ventures & Strategy team members, the Chief Technology and Product Management Office, and Finance teams to oversee existing agreements and identify new opportunities. 
·  Licensing in; collaborate with IP Analysts and Engineering teams to identify needs, evaluate opportunities, and support documentation, reporting, and cataloguing of licensed IP. 
·  Contribute to identifying ways to generate value from the portfolio through commercial agreements and other exploitation routes. 
·  Support activities relating to third-party rights, such as monitoring competitor IP, evaluating risks, and engaging in proceedings or negotiations where appropriate (e.g. oppositions, challenges, or settlements). 
·  Support due diligence and freedom-to-operate reviews for new projects and ventures.  
   Innovation Enablement, IP Awareness & Training    
 
·  Develop and deliver IP awareness and training programmes across the organisation to accelerate growth of Innovation and Inventions. 
·  Promote a culture of innovation and IP protection, ensuring employees understand the importance of safeguarding company knowledge. 
·  Provide practical guidance on confidentiality best practices.  
   Business Support & Governance    
 
·  Manage IP budget and resource allocation for IP activities, including patent filings, prosecution, licensing, legal proceedings, and associated operational spend. Report to senior management on budget and spend. 
·  Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of the IP portfolio, licensing activities, and related processes. 
·  Provide regular reporting and analysis on patent portfolio performance and alignment with business objectives, status and outcomes of IP challenges, including oppositions, disputes, or other proceedings. 
·  Support periodic IP portfolio reviews and audits to identify strengths, gaps, opportunities, and areas for strategic focus. 
·  Contribute insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders to inform IP strategy, risk management, and business planning. 
·  Serve as the primary coordination point for IP-related contract support, working closely with Legal and relevant business teams. 
·  Act as a liaison between R&D, IP, legal, and commercial teams to align project deliverables, intellectual property considerations, and commercialization efforts. 
·  Establish and maintain tracking systems for key innovation projects, coordinating between R&D, engineering, and IP teams to ensure timeline adherence. 
·  Procurement Process Management: Serve as the central point of contact for supplier engagement, collaborating with finance, legal, and technical teams to streamline supplier onboarding and payment workflows for all CTO-related initiatives.  
   Skills & Experience    
 
·  Proven experience in IP management within a technology-driven or R&D environment. 
·  Strong understanding of patent processes, trade secrets, and IP strategy. 
·  Ability to engage with technical experts and translate complex concepts into clear IP assets. 
·  Excellent project management, organizational, and stakeholder engagement skills.  
   Additional Information    
   Relocation Assistance Provided:   No