Transitions Global Patent Director

If you’ve worn a pair of glasses, we’ve already met.

We are a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames, and sunglasses. We offer our industry stakeholders in over 150 countries access to a global platform of high-quality vision care products (such as the Essilor brand, with Varilux, Crizal, Eyezen, Stellest and Transitions), iconic brands that consumers love (such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Vogue Eyewear and Costa), as well as a network that offers consumers high-quality vision care and best-in-class shopping experiences (such as Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, Salmoiraghi & Viganò and the GrandVision network), and leading e-commerce platforms.

Join our global community of over 190,000 dedicated employees around the world in driving the transformation of the eyewear and eyecare industry.

Discover more by following us on LinkedIn 

Your #FutureInSight with EssilorLuxottica

Are you willing to pioneer new frontiers, foster inclusivity and collaboration, embrace agility, ignite passion, and make a positive impact on the world? Join us in redefining the boundaries of what’s possible.

Business Overview:  

Transitions Optical has been pioneering and leading the photochromic industry for more than 25 years. We are part of the EssilorLuxottica Group and we are all about living Seamlessly. That’s what our products enable, whether it’s changing from light to dark without breaking stride. Or the freedom of using a product that’s so perfect for you that you forget you’re even wearing it. It’s what our company does. Whether that’s through innovating in both style and technology, together, seamlessly. Or through marrying the start-up spirit with the heavyweight power of the global leader.

There are people who can see the future. There are people who can build it. And there are people who can do both. We’re looking for the latter.

Location:

Galway or Tuam, Ireland  

Dual Reporting Line :  

VP and Head of Intellectual Property - Patents, Designs & Innovations and VP Innovation, Technology & Operations

Main Responsabilities:

• Develop and execute IP strategies for Transitions in collaboration with business stakeholders and the larger EssilorLuxottica Group.
• Evaluate and mitigate potential IP risks, advising senior management on IP-related aspects of business agreements, partnerships, and potential acquisitions.
• Monitor and analyse competitive IP landscape, advising the business on new threats and opportunities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and harvest strategic inventions and to ensure compliance with IP laws and regulations across the company's operations.
• Manage the extensive company's global patent & designs portfolio, in line with the Group IP strategy including:
  • Harvesting and protecting inventions, by any means, in a timely and commensurate way
  • Patent and designs drafting’s, filings, and prosecution (in-house and/or outsourced work)
  • Organizing the Patent Committee meetings where patent filings (first and further filings) or drop decisions are taken
  • Budget management
  • Defence of patents globally in coordination with Patent Litigation Head & Legal Department.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on IP matters, instilling a culture of IP awareness within the company.
• Participate in the drafting, review and negotiation of the IP aspects of contracts and agreements.
• Operate with a high level of autonomy in strategic decision-making.
• Advising on IP matters in contractual relationships (e.g., collaboration agreements, NDA, licenses, M&A issues) as well as IP litigation or claims in coordination with Transitions General Counsel and EssilorLuxottica Group IP Director
• Advising on appropriate wording in marketing and communication documents (to leverage IP risks)
• Handling freedom to operate studies (inhouse, with Outside Counsels support and/or EssilorLuxottica IP Department)

Key Requirements:

• A European Patent Attorney, qualified before the European Patent Office. Having a law degree is a plus.
• A Masters in Engineering, Material Science or Chemistry is required.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of IP experience, preferably within a multinational corporation, with a strong focus on patents.
• Proven ability to translate complex legal jargon into plain language for cross-functional teams.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to develop relationships at all levels within the company and externally.
• Registered patent attorney or patent agent with the USPTO is a plus.
• Proficient with IP databases and software.
• Ability to work with cross-functional and international teams & make synthetic and clear reporting.
• Ability to balance the legal issues of a project with the goals of the business through the demonstration of strong, pragmatic business acumen and the ability to recognize the business consequences of legal advice. 

Additional Info:

• The role offers opportunities for career & technical development as part of the Transitions Optical.

• Our internal mobility program puts you in the driving seat of your career by providing visibility for internal job postings and encouraging mobility across our entities/countries.

• Group training programs (via internal platform), mentorship, and promotion opportunities.

• Some international travel might be required – up to 20%

• Possibility to do home office 2 days per week.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitment​

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We celebrate diversity and provide equal opportunities to all, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that makes us unique.