Senior Manager Intellectual Property

CCR is at the forefront of innovation in high-tech heating and cooling solutions. As a global market leader, we are committed to delivering sustainable, state-of-the-art technologies that improve quality of life while protecting our planet.

Our people are the driving force behind our success – fueled by creativity, expertise and passion. Join us on this exciting journey and become part of a team that wants to make an impact. Together, we will shape a future with sustainable temperature solutions for generations to come.

We are currently looking for a Senior Manager Intellectual Property (m/f/d) to protect and support the development of  our most valuable assets – patents, trademarks, designs, innovation and know-how. In this role, you will help shape the technological future of our products and ensure that CCR remains a leader in sustainable climate solutions.

The Senior Manager Intellectual Property position is part of the CCR Legal and Compliance Department and reports directly to the CCR General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. The role further requires regular presence in our HQ in Nieuwegein, The Netherlands, and the CCR R&D center in Mainz, Germany. Occasional travel to our EMEA factory locations (France, Czech Republic and Hungary) is required.

• Provide clear, informed, concise, effective and timely guidance to CCR R&D, senior management and CCR general legal counsel on all intellectual property matters including opportunities to protect inventions (Invention Harvesting & White Space Analysis), on potential infringement and overseeing patent litigation, when necessary
• Build and manage external relationships with outside counsel and collaborators, including substantial interactions within a multicultural, global IP Department. Deliver work results on-time, on-target, and within budget;
• Create and manage CCR IP portfolio, and handling of all invention disclosure aspects;
• Meeting regularly with technical, legal and management personnel on IP matters including active participation in product development meetings and implementation of intellectual property strategies for products under development including managing freedom to operate, infringement and validity analyses, and supporting competitive intelligence and IP monitoring activities;
• Manage opposition and validity proceedings; 
• Work with engineering to monitor competitor products and advising as to whether competitors infringe CCR patents, trademarks and designs;
• Monitor issued third party patents, particularly with regard to questions of infringement and studying patents of concern and rendering or consulting on preparation of opinions regarding the validity and/or infringement of patents for the guidance of management, with goal of minimizing legal risks before CCR products are brought to market; and - providing input on and preparing annuities decisions in relation to the CCR patent and trademark portfolios;
• Draft, review and negotiate various intellectual property agreements, including development agreements, technical services agreements, software licenses, non-disclosure agreements and other miscellaneous agreements and provide counsel to CCR on other agreements that include intellectual property components, such as supply agreements, sales and service contracts and acquisition agreements;
• Work with the CCR Communications and Branding and CCR General Counsel regarding management of trademarks, including working with selected outside IP counsel regarding the drafting, filing, prosecuting, and annuity review for the trademark portfolio;
• Maintain and apply deep expertise of applicable international, federal, and state Intellectual Property laws and accreditation standards, and monitor advancements and changes in legal and regulatory requirements and technologies to ensure organizational adaptation and compliance across all CCR business operations;
• Learn and implement current intellectual property department tools and processes, including implementing continuous improvement of department processes;
• Advise on general IP related business requests.

• Candidate must be a fully qualified European Patent Attorney, ideally combined with a national patent attorney qualification.
• Technical/Engineering degree in mechanical, electrical, computer or physics or other qualified technical discipline, prior engineering experience is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience relating to patent law and the preparation and prosecution of EP patents gained in a reputable patent attorney firm and/or in-house IP department.
• Fluent in English and German (written and oral).
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Ability to effectively communicate within all levels of the organization and manage senior relationships across all business and functional areas.
• Highly developed skills in priority setting and alignment of project priorities with CCR and R&D strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage adversity and challenging situations.
• Global perspective with the interest and proven ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-functional environment, develop and maintain internal partnerships, and ability to interact with colleagues at all levels of the organization with credibility, integrity, and respect.