Intellectual Property Associate Director - Next Generation Nicotine Products

What you will be doing?

The IP Operations Associate Director (AD) will support the growth of the India team through being a hands-on expert.

This role is responsible for the delivery of advanced IP research solutions within the modern oral nicotine and next-generation nicotine products sector, including Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) analyses, licensing & commercialization support, technology & patent landscapes, and competitive intelligence – while ensuring operational excellence and innovation.

The AD will leverage their deep operational & research expertise to optimize service delivery and enhance the firm’s offerings. Acting as a strategic partner to the client teams, they will foster long-term relationships with the global team and clients, identify new business opportunities with their internal client teams, and contribute to demonstrable revenue growth through exceptional delivery of client-focused solutions.

AI is at the forefront of the team and it’s essential that the AD has an AI first mindset. Experience in using and assisting the internal development of AI/ML tools and emerging technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs), to improve efficiency, consistency & quality are an essential requirement.

This demanding role will allow exposure to a wide variety of global clients, sectors and types of work, which will be highly rewarding to an individual who enjoys working on diverse projects and the dynamic of working as part of a rapidly growing global team.

This is an office-based role in our Gurugram, India office, 5 days a week.

As the Intellectual Property Associate Director your responsibilities will include among others:

Client Service/Client Work

• Deliver exceptional client service by prioritising customer experience, proactively managing relationships, and ensuring timely, high-quality execution of advice and services.
• Achieve Exceptional Advisor competencies by aligning client work with the appropriate expertise, seniority, and capacity to meet the highest standards.
• Foster a global “one team” mindset by collaborating across S&W and ClearViewIP teams, partnering with stakeholders, and supporting global client needs, including occasional travel and cross-time-zone work.

Growing the business

• Build and enhance ClearViewIP’s reputation both internally and externally while strengthening relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Drive business growth by promoting cross-selling opportunities across ClearViewIP and the wider S&W group.
• Embed an AI-first mindset by leveraging AI and RPA extensively across your team to improve efficiency and outcomes.

Quality control, compliance and risk management

• Ensure full compliance with internal procedures, the compliance manual, and all relevant operating standards to mitigate risk for the group.
• Maintain strong technical competence while adhering to regulatory and business line requirements.
• Manage risk effectively by reporting complaints and potential PI issues promptly in line with group procedures.

Financial Management

• Monitor and manage key financial metrics (chargeable hours, utilisation, recoveries, WIP, billing, and lock-up), ensuring timely billing and minimising lock-up.
• Ensure accurate and prompt time recording through effective oversight of timesheet submission.
• Maintain financial control and compliance by reporting WIP and bad debt risks to the HoD and adhering to Delegated Authority Limits and relevant debtor/WIP policies

Staff Management & Development

• Demonstrate strong leadership aligned with Exceptional Leader competencies, working collaboratively with global research and operations teams while managing day-to-day responsibilities for direct reports.
• Drive people development by conducting ADRs, mentoring talent, and supporting continuous growth in technical, professional, and leadership capabilities across the team.
• Maximise team performance by coaching and developing direct reports in line with talent plans, ensuring alignment with individual potential, skills, and client delivery expectations.

Financial Job Dimensions

• An associate director should be responsible for a client portfolio of a minimum £300,000 per annum.
• An associate director would be expected to keep tight control of debtors and demonstrate a commercial approach in connection with outstanding fees.