Intellectual Property Counsel (8-months fixed-term contract)

The L’OCCITANE Group is a leading international manufacturer and retailer of premium and sustainable beauty and wellness products. The Group operates in 90 countries worldwide and has 3,000 retail outlets, including over 1,300 of its own stores. Within its portfolio of premium beauty brands that champion organic and natural ingredients are: L’OCCITANE en Provence, Melvita, Erborian, L’OCCITANE au Brésil, LimeLife by Alcone, ELEMIS, Sol de Janeiro and Dr. Vranjes Firenze. 
With its nature-positive vision and entrepreneurial ethos, L’OCCITANE Group is committed to investing in communities, biodiversity, reducing waste and to finding sustainable solutions to create a better and healthier planet. The mission statement of the Group is: With empowerment we positively impact people and regenerate nature. 
L’OCCITANE is also committed to sustainability for business, people & the planet, as well as respect of human rights, ethics principles and labour protection. All employees at L’OCCITANE must therefore implement the company’s mission and integrate the social, environmental, economic and legal effects of their actions in their day-to-day job. In practice, this means that any employee at L’OCCITANE shall contribute to growing sales, regenerating nature, caring for our consumers & partners and supporting our employees. The L'OCCITANE Group is a certified B CorporationTM.
 

CONTEXT & MISSION:

We are looking for a highly motivated Intellectual Property Counsel! As a key member of the Global Legal Team, you will handle IP portfolios for some of the L'OCCITANE Group brands, which include L'OCCITANE en Provence, Melvita, Erborian, L'OCCITANE au Brésil, LimeLife by Alcone, Elemis, Sol de Janeiro and Dr. Vranjes Firenze (the “Brands”), on a worldwide basis, directly and in coordination with the Brand’s teams, external lawyers and service providers.

The role primarily focuses on advising the Brands’ teams on any IP issues (including trademark clearance checks and IP contracts), setting an efficient and satisfying IP rights protection, but also protecting the Brands from infringements. The IP Counsel will also play a key role to educate and coordinate IP issues, goals and workflow within the Brands’ teams.

The position is based in Plan-les-Ouates (near Geneva) and reports to the Head of Global IP & Brand Protection.

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES:

1. IP rights portfolios management

• Manage IP rights applications and registrations; reply to refusals (with outside counsels);

• Check trademark watches; coordinate IP litigations, oppositions, cancellations, enforcements;

• Coordinate IP rights renewals, including evidence of use;

• Handle recordals (change of ownership, change of names, etc.).

2. IP advice, searches and clearances

• Conduct IP rights searches and clearances;

• Advise and provide IP ad hoc analysis, opinions and assistance to the business;

• Draft and negotiate IP contracts (including copyright, coexistence, influencers, models, settlement agreements, etc.);

• Deal with image rights issues.

3. Other ad hoc IP tasks

• Execute an audit of the IP right portfolios (ensure that scope of protection is safe);

• Gather and prepare evidence for IP prosecution, litigation and enforcement matters;

• Set and control budget; review invoices;

• Prepare POAs and other relevant IP documents; arrange notarization, apostille and other legalization.

4. Brand protection

• Conduct domain names surveillance, assess risks and launch proportionate responses;

• Handle online and offline lookalikes and brand abuses enforcement when appropriate.

5. All other duties or projects as assigned

HOW YOU CAN FIT:

• Master’s degree in IP Law;

• +6 years’ in-house experience in IP, in an international environment (experience in law firm is a plus);

• Fluent in English (including drafting skills), French is a real plus;

• Strong customer centricity mindset and business acumen, results focused, proactive problem solver;

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively and develop strong relationships at all levels and across functions;

• Ability to anticipate, efficiently manage multiple queries and issues and meet deadlines;

• Strong team player with the ability to work independently;

• Precise with attention to details, hands-on approach and able to deal with ambiguity;

• Appetite for challenges and at ease in an international environment with remote & multicultural teams.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Working for a unique company, strongly committed towards the planet and the people (B Corp certification)

• Working with passionate colleagues coming from all over the world

• A unique culture centered around entrepreneurship, where everyone is expected to collaborate, experiment & move fast

• Internal mobility opportunities

• Monthly allocation & discount for store products

• Attractive Social Insurances coverage

• 5 weeks annual leaves & 3 extra-days offered as public holidays

• Flexible and hybrid work arrangement

• Attractive Parental Leave Policy

• Public transport allowance

STARTING DATE: December 1st 2024

CONTRACT TYPE: fixed term (8 months)

L’OCCITANE is an equal opportunities employer. This means that, when making decisions about our employees’ careers with us, our main considerations are their ability to do their jobs and develop in their roles. One way we cultivate change is by creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace and organizational culture. As part of this, we are committed to building an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment where everyone feels respected and valued. We recruit positive-minded people who share our core values - entrepreneurship, team spirit, leading by example and authenticity – and our commitment to sustainability. 
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