Global Formalities Officer

Join Unilever as a Global Formalities Officer

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe that a ‘one size fits all’ approach works, and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

We want our business to flourish, and we know that our success depends on others flourishing around us. That's why our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace, and why sustainable, long-term growth is at the heart of our business model.

Objective

To help Unilever Patent Attorneys with the administrative and procedural tasks associated with patents, including the granting procedure and the management of the portfolio and ensuing deadlines, ensuring that local rules and regulations are met and deadlines are suitably monitored.

Position in the Organization

Above: Head of Global Support, Patent Attorney (technical)
Below: N/A

Areas of Responsibility / Main Tasks

Assist with the administrative and procedural tasks associated with filing a patent according to information provided by the Unilever Patent Attorney and any instructions from a local agent, ensuring applications are filed according to local laws and regulations. This mainly consists of:

• Preparing official documents, such as transfer deeds for the patent rights of the inventor to the employer and between companies
• Signing documents or obtaining signatures from authorised individuals
• Getting documents notarised by a notary public and/or foreign consulate
• Ensuring documents, patent applications, and drawings are submitted to the Patent Office
• Controlling that patent applications have actually been submitted
• Ensuring the translation of European Patent Office (EPO) and Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications in different countries
• Managing 'examination requests' in various countries in consultation with patent agents

Monitor the term system to ensure official and legal terms are not missed and no patent rights are lost. This includes:

• Implementing terms for filing and extension procedures, including correspondence with Patent Offices and foreign agents
• Consulting the automated system and flagging 'term information' to patent agents and colleagues
• Monitoring term entries using fail-safe systems
• Following up on terms at risk of being missed (involving local agents, etc.)
• Flagging anomalies to the head of support and/or the patent agent

Help maintain the database containing information on patent applications and relevant rules and regulations, ensuring official and legal terms can be suitably monitored and users can access up-to-date information. This includes:

• Docketing new mail as received from local representatives and Patent Offices
• Following changes to procedures/laws in different countries and entering them in the database
• Processing and checking data for patent applications and general patent information
• Keeping supporting files up to date (addresses, encoding, etc.)
• Compiling and disseminating regular and more complex management reports on 'Unilever patents'

Carry out various other activities related to the job, including:

• Controlling invoices related to patent activities and ensuring they are paid
• Controlling and supplementing the Patents Group's filing invoices
• Maintaining patents by preparing the payment of the concerned taxes
• Letting patents expire in countries specified by the patent agents
• Hiring and authorising external agents
• Transferring patent portfolios, for example, when acquiring and selling companies
• Writing, following, and keeping procedures up-to-date to enable daily work

Social Interaction

Obtain information from and disseminate it to patent agents and agents in different countries. Harmonise with Patents Group colleagues in England, India, China, and the US. Write memos and other correspondence, mainly in English.

Specific Requirements

Work with display equipment. Process data and handle documents with care (taking care of formalities); disseminate information with vigilance; carefully monitor filing dates and the expiry of terms.

Difficult Circumstances

Static posture and strain on eyes and back muscles when working at display equipment.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting and dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great rewards and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package: excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme
• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever
• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained
• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks, and our transgender policy
• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers, or partners to connect and collaborate. For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office, you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products
• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products
• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription)
• Homework allowance
• Company laptop and mobile phone
• Green Mobility Policy