Headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is a world leader in the design and manufacture of products and systems for use in respiratory care, acute care, surgery, and the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Through an unrivalled commitment to innovation and a priority placed on patient care, the company continues to inspire and influence world-leading healthcare solutions to this day. Most recently, the company has shown this by playing a key role in the fight against COVID-19, with its ventilation products being used in hospitals globally to assist patients suffering respiratory problems due to the effects of the virus.
THE OPPORTUNITY
In keeping with its mission to constantly innovate, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare are looking to strengthen its IP team through the appointment of a new IP advisor/Senior IP advisor. This is a unique opportunity that allows the successful candidate to complete immersion in all technical and business units of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.
Key responsibilities and requirements of the IP advisor/Senior IP advisor role will include:
- Invention harvesting: work with development teams to understand and capture the most important product and manufacturing innovations;
- IP Creation: Manage patent drafting through the use of outside counsel and patent prosecution across a global patent portfolio;
- Freedom to Operate & IP opinions: Analysis of FTO searches, advising upon appropriate strategies for infringement avoidance;
- Supporting new product design by collaborating with engineers to ensure our products avoid competitor patents and to achieve the greatest design freedom for new products;
- Interacting with inventors and external patent attorneys to secure the optimal protection for our products globally;
- Supporting IP contentious work as and when necessary;
- Monitoring and responding to competitor activities;
- Portfolio development and optimisation;
- Maintaining IP databases to support strategic decision making;
- Frequent opportunities to be involved in other areas of the business beyond the scope of a private practice patent attorney role;
- Mentoring IP Engineers.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate is likely to satisfy the following criteria:
- Be a fully qualified Patent Attorney/ Patent Agent admitted to practice in one of the key jurisdictions;
- Possess a technical degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical or Mechatronics, or a degree in a relevant Science;
- Possess an excellent practical knowledge and demonstrable patent drafting experience in the Mechanical arts;
These soft qualities will also be looked upon favourably:
- A team player who has excellent interpersonal skills sufficient to relate with individuals within the organisation and build rapport internally with colleagues as well as externally with third parties;
- Excellent communication and presentation skills and a proven ability to interface with all levels of the organisation, i.e. convert IP legal issues into readily understandable business issues;
- Demonstrate a commercial approach to IP, comprehending its value as a tool to service the wider needs of the business and as a part of a broader strategy;
- The ability to work with the necessary detail, whilst seeing the big picture;
- A high degree of initiative, creativity;
- Display a “hands-on” flexible approach to problems and demands, with the ability to thrive on challenges and react quickly and positively;
- Be highly organised with a strong eye for detail and the ability to manage a challenging workload, including the prioritisation of duties when required;
- Display high integrity and ethics in all dealings – internal, external, and personal. Non-political in conduct, while understanding internal and external political dynamics.
