Intellectual Property Director Europe

**Build a career with confidence**

Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions is committed to creating solutions that matter for people and our planet for generations to come. From the beginning, we've led in inventing new technologies and entirely new industries. Today, we continue to lead because we have a world-class, diverse workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do.

**Position Summary**

The Director, Intellectual Property Counsel Europe will perform, manage, direct, and leverage designated patent and related intellectual property activities for Carrier Innovation Technologies in Lucerne, Switzerland (CIT) and oversee all intellectual property matters for Carrier Climate Solutions Europe (CSE).

**Duties & Responsibilities**

The role’s duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. Oversee and manage the CSE intellectual property issues, including providing effective and timely guidance, with clear and concise communication skills, to senior management and general legal counsel on intellectual property (IP) matters, particularly in the areas of IP agreements, patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright law, and related litigation. The CSE businesses include Carrier Commercial HVAC, Carrier Refrigeration (Truck/Trailer), and Residential Light Commercial (total ~$4.5B).

2. Draft various internal agreements to support CIT as a technology hub, including R&D service agreements, IP asset transfer agreements, and license agreements.

3. Draft and negotiate various agreements with external parties including development agreements, technical services agreements, university agreements, software licenses, non-disclosure agreements, sports sponsoring agreements, and other miscellaneous agreements and providing counsel to management and general legal counsel on other agreements that include intellectual property components, such as supply agreements, sales and service contracts and acquisition agreements.

4. Work to incorporate CIT into the various Carrier R&D and intellectual property processes and create standard work to document such processes. Communicate effectively and clearly with colleagues and leadership in the Legal Department and IP function as well as the R&D organization. Build and manage external relationships with outside counsel and collaborators, including substantial interactions within a multicultural, global IP Department. Deliver work results on-time, on-target, and within budget.

5. Collaborate with marketing personnel on trademarks matters including overseeing, managing, and making decisions regarding the trademark portfolio owned or licensed by CIT.

7. Support all New Product Development projects for CIT, including: (1) conducting project risk assessments and providing strategic advice and counsel on project related IP requirements, risks and mitigation strategies, as well as general patent law; (2) managing all relevant IP due diligence such as freedom to operate, infringement and validity analyses, including management of relevant third-party service providers; (3) supporting competitive intelligence and IP monitoring activities; and (4) based on department templates, developing and documenting IP strategies for key programs and technologies.

8. Monitoring IP owned by CIT particularly with regard to questions of potential infringement, rendering or consulting on preparation of opinions regarding such intellectual property for the guidance of management, and overseeing and managing any infringement matters.

9. Learning and implementing current intellectual property department tools and processes and working willingly with members of Intellectual Property Department with goal of continuous improvement of department processes.

10. Oversee IP professionals in Europe, providing leadership and guidance on wide range of intellectual property issues.

JOB LOCATION: This position will be located at Carrier Innovation Technologies GmbH, Am Mattenhof 2D, 6010 Kriens, Switzerland

LANGUAGES: Fluency English required. Strong skills in at least one European language (German or French) are an important plus.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

- Should have substantial several years experience relating to intellectual property law gained in an international law firm and/or in-house.
- Ability to develop strategies and effectively communicate within all levels of the organization and manage senior relationships across all business and functional areas.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently.
- Highly developed skills in priority setting and alignment of project priorities with the department strategy.
- Demonstrated ability to manage adversity and challenging situations.
- Global perspective with the interest and proven ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-functional environment, develop and maintain internal partnerships, and ability to interact with colleagues at all levels of