Publications & IP Program Manager

Society Overview

The American Chemical Society vision is to improve all people's lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Nearly 150 years after its founding, the Society remains a champion for science, scientific advancement, and scientists in a global community of members and customers. ACS Publications produces over 80 peer-reviewed journals, which are ranked the "most-trusted, most-cited and most-read" journals in chemistry. The ACS Chemical Abstract Service is a leader in scientific information solutions for innovators around the world to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. ACS Society Programs brings broad networks of scientists together to create connections, foster a passion for science and create opportunity among its more than 220,000 members worldwide in a way no other professional organization can match.

Office of General Counsel

The ACS Office of General Counsel takes great pride in building strategic partnerships across all Society businesses units to advance the ACS mission. We focus on opportunities to engage meaningfully with global operations and programs leaders and on being integral contributors to the business. We are committed to one another's development and success. We value teammates who are curious about new challenges and opportunities, creative in their problem solving, committed to excellence, and kind.

Overall Function

The Publications & IP Program Manager will operate from a position of trust to provide comprehensive support to the Assistant General Counsel, Publications & IP with responsibility for this team and function. The ideal candidate has exceptional organizational capabilities and technological proficiency, as well as the ability to manage multiple workstreams and projects and engage with the business with a high degree of professionalism. Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel, Publications & IP, the Publications & IP Program Manager will also work very closely with decision-makers in ACS's Publications Division. Success in this role requires the ability to thrive in a complex, challenging environment and a commitment to building strong, trusting relationships across the organization and developing practices on a global scale. The ideal candidate will be drawn to the opportunity to create and mature a strategic function that is a sought-after, highly engaged resource trusted to advance ACS's reputation and success.

Key Responsibilities:

Each member of the Office shares a responsibility for:

• Upholding and advancing ACS core values and realizing its commitments to advancing science as well as to inclusion and belonging across its mission and operations;
• Operating from a position of trust in one another's professional skills, always assuming common purpose and good intentions, and acting with kindness; and
• Succeeding together.

As an individual contributor, the Publications & IP Program Manager will:

• Liaise with external counsel to oversee IP docketing and ensure timely action on all filings and related deadlines;
• Interact with internal and external stakeholders related to permissions, applications, and registrations to coordinate filings and related communications;
• Leverage their knowledge of and experience with contracting best practices and intellectual property and applicable law to analyze licenses and other ACS Publications and IP-related documents and contracts;
• Support initiatives for internal training and education on AI, IP and related legal matters, to include creation of advanced PowerPoint presentations;
• Work cross-functionally across teams within the OGC to ensure alignment with the overall ACS, OGC and client stakeholders' strategy, objectives, and culture;
• Implement and maintain legal systems, processes and systems that advance the work of the team;
• Assemble and analyze information, prepare reports, and leverage project tools;
• Assist in the development, advancement and management of team projects;
• Support the Assistant General Counsel, Publications & IP on other matters for ACS and its global affiliates;
• Collect and handle sensitive information; and
• Uphold ACS's core values and behavioral competencies.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in similar corporate or law firm environment;
• Experience drafting legal documents with a high level of attention to detail and accuracy;
• Strong communication skills for effective collaboration with external counsel and cross-functional internal teams;
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and involvement in mission success;
• Solution-oriented with the ability to assess requirements and priorities, and effectively set expectations and manage priorities;
• Demonstrated proficiency with essential office technologies (e.g. Teams, Excel, Agiloft, etc.);
• Solid organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Clear understanding of IP management protocols, systems, and procedures;
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to communicate clearly and interact with poise and diplomacy;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, and work in a highly dynamic environment;
• Experience working for a multi-national organization strongly preferred;
• Paralegal certification or comparable qualification and familiarity with IP portfolio (copyright, trademark, and patent) management is a plus; and
• Optimism, patience, and a sense of humor all welcomed.

This role is based in our Washington, D.C. office. A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $95,000-$110,000 per year

ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.

Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.