Lead Specialist (Trademark & Contract Specialist) (Pune)

I. Primary Responsibilities

• Trademarks
• Trademark Portfolio Management:
• Manage the companys global trademark portfolio, including registrations, renewals, and filings.
• Conduct trademark clearance searches and provide recommendations on the availability of trademarks for use and registration.
• Monitor and enforce trademark rights, including identifying and addressing potential infringements.
• Maintain and update trademark databases and records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Strategic Planning:
• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen the company’s trademark portfolio in alignment with business objectives.
• Advise on trademark usage guidelines to ensure consistent and proper use of trademarks across all business units.
• Collaborate with marketing, branding, and product teams to ensure trademarks are effectively utilized and protected.
• Legal and Compliance:
• Coordinate with external counsel to manage trademark prosecution, oppositions, cancellations, and other legal proceedings.
• Ensure compliance with international trademark laws and regulations.
• Draft and negotiate trademark-related agreements, including licensing, coexistence, and settlement agreements.
• Risk Management:
• Monitor global markets for potential trademark conflicts or infringements.
• Provide risk assessments and mitigation strategies related to trademark issues.
• Educate internal teams on trademark risks and best practices.
• Collaboration and Communication:
• Act as the primary point of contact for all trademark-related matters.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders, including legal, marketing, and product development teams, to align trademark strategies with business goals.
• Provide regular updates and reports on the status of the trademark portfolio to senior management.
• Contracts Specialist
• Contract Drafting and Negotiation:
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts, including vendor agreements, client contracts, service agreements, NDAs, and licensing agreements.
• Ensure contracts are explicit, concise, and aligned with the company’s objectives and risk tolerance.
• Collaborate with internal teams to address business, legal, and financial terms during contract negotiations.
• Contract Management:
• Oversee the entire contract lifecycle, from initiation to execution, renewal, and termination.
• Maintain an organized and up-to-date contract repository, ensuring easy access and retrieval of documents.
• Monitor contract performance and compliance, addressing any issues or breaches as they arise.

II. Skills and Competencies

• Team player, with skills in supporting colleagues and contributing to a strong team culture.
• Workflow management of self and others.
• Process adherence and development.
• Interpretation of technical documents.
• Dealing with ambiguity.
• Attention to detail.
• Confident communicator (oral and written) and capable of robust dialogue.
• Confidence to challenge views and opinions in a sensitive way.

III. Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in management of IP and Trademark portfolios.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in contracts drafting.
• Strong understanding of legal operations, contract data (e.g., legal and financial data in contracts), and metadata structures.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Salesforce).
• Excellent communication and training skills.