JOB DESCRIPTION
About Weatherford
Weatherford supports the sustainable development and production of oil and gas resources, wherever they exist, to ensure the world’s current and future energy needs can be met safely, efficiently and economically.
We specialize in innovative formation evaluation techniques, products and services that ensure well integrity and drilling reliability, novel reservoir completion and stimulation technology that optimizes recovery, and the industry’s leading portfolio of artificial lift products and production optimization capabilities, Weatherford develops and applies its specific technology, understanding and expertise to help its customers efficiently develop new resources and maximize recovery from producing reservoirs.
Weatherford focuses specifically on reducing customers' costs and risks with competent personnel, reliable products and consistent, safe performance at the well site all of which underpin our credibility as an oil field service company.
Weatherford provides a working environment where its employees can act to make a difference in the company's performance for its customers and shareholders. This shows in the way we do business with our customers. We intimately understand the customers’ needs, are agile and easy to do business with. We will continue to strengthen and develop, by combining our products, services and capabilities in ways that will allow the world’s oil and gas companies to deliver their reserves whatever the challenges of the reservoir or the location.
Job scope:
About the Role
Weatherford’s Office of the General Counsel is leading the way for in-house legal departments through our client-first orientation, unique approach to people development, innovative use of tools and technology and commitment to quality. The effective management and leveraging of Weatherford’s intellectual property, on behalf of its global business units, across the full range of IP transactions, is a key function within Weatherford’s Office of the General Counsel.
Weatherford is seeking a senior intellectual property attorney with at least 10 years of applicable experience to join its Intellectual Property department. This role will be based in Zug, Switzerland, and will report directly to the Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property for Weatherford. The successful candidate will have responsibility for providing a full range of Intellectual Property (IP) legal services, and will provide IP transactional support for all matters related to Weatherford Switzerland Trading and Development GmbH (WSTD) and Weatherford Products GmbH (WP).
Job Dimensions: (For Management & Supervisory positions)
Number of direct reports:
0
Total number in team managed:
0
Budgetary responsibility (USD):
N/A
Revenue responsibility (USD):
N/A
Other dimensions appropriate to the job:
Duties & Responsibilities: (not listed in any particular order)
Duties and Responsibilities:
Prepare for and attend all quarterly Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) meetings relating to the IP Strategy of WSTD and compliance with U.S. cost sharing rules and intercompany agreements, including presentations on the status of intercompany agreements and the assignment and registration of IP rights outside the U.S.
Draft and/or manage Intellectual Property licenses with affiliated Weatherford field companies outside the U.S., including monitoring royalty payments.
Manage the registration of intercompany agreements.
Review and comment on customer contracts outside the U.S. involving the licensing and/or development of IP.
Assist with identifying possible infringement of Weatherford IP outside the U.S. and assist with the enforcement of Weatherford IP rights outside the U.S.
Assist with IP pre-litigation and litigation matters as needed for those matters that are of interest to WSTD
Manage the involvement of WSTD in the R & D cost sharing agreement and monitor IP development under the R & D cost sharing agreement
Assist with the assignment and registration of IP rights outside the U.S.
Ensure compliance with intercompany contracts
Assist with preparing and implementing intercompany agreements between WSTD or WP and key affiliates.
Draft and/or review IP provisions within intercompany equipment lease agreements.
Assist with the preparation of WSTD Board meeting materials.
Support IP valuation and centralization projects with transfer pricing.
Advise the management of WSTD and key affiliates in matters involving intellectual property (i.e., patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret), including the preparation of intellectual property related legal opinions on issues such as freedom to operate, ownership, infringement, and validity.
Work closely with Research & Development Department and inventors to secure patent protection for new inventions.
Assist with the surveillance of competitor patents and commercialization activities.
Draft, review, negotiate and administer intellectual property agreements, including confidentiality agreements, joint development agreements, licensing agreements and consultancy agreements.
Assist with managing litigation matters outside the U.S. involving Weatherford’s intellectual property rights.
The position may involve limited domestic and international travel.
Skills & Knowledge:
Essential
Excellent business acumen
Demonstrated written and verbal communication, interpersonal, presentation, analytical, organizational, negotiation, and follow-up skills, the ability to meet deadlines as well as the ability to converse effectively with all levels of employees.
Demonstrated success managing complex and competing organizational priorities in a fast-paced environment
Experience working with organizations with a global footprint
Strong leader and collaborator; focused on organizational and team success
Courageous; willing to take risks in ideas and actions to progress the organization
Solution-oriented; proven focus on operational excellence and innovation
Pragmatic, doesn’t overcomplicate, but provides practical solutions and implementation strategies.
Ability to provide strategic thought leadership; build strong relationships with superiors, peers and subordinates; collaborate across the organization; and influences without direct authority
Comfortable challenging the status
Confident executive presence.