Principal Director Legal Affairs

Within the Directorate General 5 Legal and International Affairs led by a Vice-President, the EPO's Principal Directorate Legal Affairs will play a key role in helping to achieve these strategic objectives. It will strive to achieve a sound harmonised system of law, greater convergence in the interpretation of practice and predictability of the legal processes for users and the introduction of the unitary patent upon its ratification. In addition, the Principal Directorate Legal Affairs will also be responsible for managing the EPO's intangible asset portfolio.

To ensure the success of these important missions for the Organisation, the EPO now seeks to appoint a Principal Director Legal Affairs, who will report to the Chief International and Legal Officer.

Your main responsibilities
• Managing all legal activities of the Office related to patent law, institutional law and contract law, and providing the services of the Office with high legal expertise in these matters
• Preparing and participating in the negotiations of bilateral and multilateral agreements and legal instruments related to patents
• Addressing all questions relating to the interpretations of agreements and international patent treaties, in particular the PCT, and on the development of EU law related to patents
• Driving all initiatives linked to the approximation of patent laws and practices at international and European levels, in particular the convergence programme identified in the EPO’s strategic plan 2023
• Giving legal advice, in-house and externally, on the application of the European Patent Convention (EPC) and other international treaties
• Representing the Office on international bodies and other organisations especially those representing users of the patent system
• Acting as a resource across the organisation and providing legal support in relation with the contractual activities of the Office
• Managing effectively the EPO's intangible asset portfolio
• Leading teams of highly qualified lawyers, translating the strategic objectives into a comprehensive actionable plan and ensuring its proper execution

What we offer
• intellectual challenges and empowerment through professional development
• the chance to work with inspiring people from various different cultures
• an excellent social package
• contributory medical-insurance and pension schemes
• relocation benefits and various allowances (e.g. household, dependants', childcare, education, expatriation, installation and rent allowance), depending on their personal circumstances

Interested?
Apply online via the 'Apply' button

Process and timeline

The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications and relevant experience, supplemented as appropriate by interviews, tests and/or a personality questionnaire. The interviews are expected to take place in calendar week 49/50 in Munich.

* after deduction of EPO internal tax and before deduction of staff contributions to the social-security and pension schemes. The salary range depends on experience.

To foster gender diversity, EPO encourages applications from women.
The EPO is an equal opportunities employer and supports workforce diversity as a signatory to the Diversity Charter (Charta der Vielfalt) since 2010.
All applications for vacant positions will be welcomed and considered on the professional merits of the applicant against the role profile for the position regardless of nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parental responsibilities, age, religion or belief.