Intellectual Property Manager

CRH is a leading global diversified building materials group, employing over 75,800 people at more than 3,160 locations in 29 countries. CRH is the leading building materials company in North America and the world. We manufacture and distribute a diverse range of superior building materials, products, and solutions, which are used extensively in construction projects of all sizes.

Position Overview

The Intellectual Property Manager’s key mission is to drive the creation of world-class strategies and processes to safeguard CRH’s intellectual assets within the construction sector. This includes, but is not limited to, proprietary materials, formulations, processes, construction methods, designs, brand names, trademarks, and other intangible assets.

The successful candidate will ensure that CRH’s intellectual property rights are protected, maintained, and leveraged appropriately, allowing the company to maintain its competitive edge in the construction industry. The candidate will also work closely with the research and development teams to assess opportunities for new intellectual property, review potential risks (e.g., freedom-to-operate) with assets under development, and coach the development teams on how best position the inventions to better maximize the chances of creating a competitive solution from an IP standpoint.

Key Responsibilities (Essential Duties and Functions)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• IP Strategy and Advisory:
• Drive the necessary conversations to establish a world-class IP management strategy, aligning with the company's business goal and enhancing its leadership position in the construction sector.
• Assess CRH’s current IP operations maturity model and recommend what adjustments should be made to advance the operating model to “world-class” status.
• Continuously advise senior management on how to manage internal processes to reduce potential IP risks and to create unique sources of competitive advantages.
• As an internal subject matter expert, the IP manager will support the establishment of roles and responsibilities associated with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Lead the cross functional teams on the creation of core processes for IP Identification, Documentation, Prosecution, Maintenance, Enforcement, Defense, Cross-border IP management, Due-diligence and Risk Management.

• IP Portfolio Management:
• Work with the necessary internal and external stakeholders to maintain and manage the company's portfolio of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets specifically relevant to construction innovations.
• Lead the creation and maintenance of SOPs for filing, docketing, and maintenance of IP assets – create the necessary documentation (forms and templates) to facilitate IP procurement.
• Ensure SOPs are in place for collecting invention submissions, filing, tracking decisions, docketing, and maintaining IP assets.
• Regularly conduct IP audits to identify new intellectual assets and ensure existing assets are adequately protected.
• Collaborate with the R&D teams and other design teams to identify potentially patentable construction methods, materials, and technologies.
• Support the innovation delivery process (IDP) by providing landscaping assessment and analysis on a specific field(s) of interest and foresight on IP trends in multiple areas of interest.
• Patent Administration: Coordinate with the CRH Legal teams, Operating Companies (OpCos) and external patent attorneys to draft, file, and prosecute patent applications.
• Infringement Monitoring and Enforcement: Collaborate with legal teams to monitor potential IP infringements, and coordinate responses to any infringements.

• IP Management System:
• Support the selection and implementation of a worldwide IP management system for all CRH OpCos.
• Interface with the necessary stakeholders to create the expected set of requirements.
• Interface with vendors during requests for proposal/quote (RFP/RFQ) and guide the assessment of the different solutions.
• Create a set of objective criteria for the available solutions and lead the team to select the most suitable tool.

• Trademark Activities:
• Work with CRH OpCos and establish the necessary process to oversee the application, registration, and renewal processes of company trademarks, especially those associated with proprietary construction systems or branding.
• Monitor the market for potential trademark infringements and coordinate with legal teams for appropriate actions.

• Licensing and Agreements:
• Support CRH legal teams in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating IP licensing agreements, ensuring that CRH’s construction methods and other proprietary systems are adequately protected in collaborations.
• Support IP aspects in contractor, subcontractor, and partner agreements, ensuring IP clauses protect the CRH's interests.

• Trade Secret Safeguarding:
• Collaborate with project managers to ensure proprietary construction techniques, materials, and processes are kept confidential.
• Educate and train employees on the importance of protecting company trade secrets.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• An advanced degree or certification in Intellectual Property Law is preferred and recommended.
• It is recommended a minimum of 5 years of experience in intellectual property management, preferably in the construction or a related industry.
• Familiarity with the construction industry's innovations, materials techniques, and market landscape.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication and process development skills.

Work Requirements

• Must be 18 years in age or older.
• Must pass pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check.
• Strict adherence to safety requirements and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Willingness to work independently within a team environment and assist the team with other duties as required.
• Must be willing to travel occasionally.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products (focus on: SharePoint, Teams, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Experience working in IP Management Systems (e.g., Anaqua, Clarivate, Equinox, etc).

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Able to communicate with others by telephone and in person.
• Able to utilize a computer for word processing, email communication, and preparation of documents and presentations.
• May require sitting for extended periods of time.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Must be able to provide functioning home or remote office.
• When working from a CRH office, expect normal office working conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• The position may require work outside of normal business hours.

The statements included in this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Other duties may be assigned as required. Requirements for this job are subject to modification by the Company and its designees, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

What CRH Offers You

• Highly competitive base pay
• Comprehensive medical, dental and disability benefits programs
• Group retirement savings program
• Health and wellness programs
• A diverse and inclusive culture that values opportunity for growth, development, and internal promotion

About CRH

CRH has a long and proud heritage. We are a collection of hundreds of family businesses, regional companies and large enterprises that together form the CRH family. CRH operates in a decentralized, diversified structure that allows you to work in a small company environment while having the career opportunities of large international organization.

If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, we invite you to take the first step and apply today Once you click apply now, you will be brought to our official employment application. Please complete your online profile and it will be sent to the hiring manager. Our system allows you to view and track your status 24 hours a day. Thank you for your interest

CRH is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

EOE/Vet/Disability