London or Bristol only - 3 days a week on site
Why this job matters
Innovation has driven BT’s long heritage, and is crucial to the transformational technological development required to fulfil our purpose to connect for good in the modern world. Protecting the IP rights generated underpins significant value to BT. Our large in-house team of patent attorneys plays a key strategic role in maximising benefit from innovation through our collaboration with researchers and commercialisation experts to directly draft, prosecute, and support monetisation of BT’s technically varied patent applications.
What you’ll be doing
• Working closely with researchers, developers, engineers, and technicians to identify inventions, determine suitability for patent protection, and draft and file patent applications in multiple territories, taking an expert role in specific technical areas.
• Taking responsibility for prosecuting and maintaining a portion of BT’s international patent portfolio in a timely, cost-effective, and commercially strategic manner
• Developing and executing IP strategies for, and providing IP law counsel on, research and IP commercialisation projects.
• Providing internal IP education to increase understanding and awareness of the commercial impact of IP.
• Proactively sharing knowledge and experience with the rest of the Patents Team to stay up to date with developments in law and best practice.
• Supporting attack and defence of patent infringement and validity actions, instructing external counsel as required.
• Influencing continuous development of Patents Team strategy and operations.
• Coaching other BT patent attorneys.
Skills and Experiences
* Qualified European and UK Chartered Patent Attorney (+ preferably Authorised Representative before the European Unified Patent Court)
* Independent direct patent drafting and prosecution, preferably with experience including computer-implemented inventions, AI, quantum technologies, and telecommunications
* Ability to understand the work of BT's technical teams, e.g. in areas such as: cybersecurity, quantum key distribution, optical networks, content delivery, network service orchestration, and network anomaly detection
* Preferably, experience in one or more of: instructing overseas prosecution, oral advocacy, appeal proceedings, IP education, IP disputes, reviewing IP terms, advising on complementary IP rights (e.g. designs, copyright, confidential information), IP due diligence, standard essential patents, operational excellence projects
Benefits
* Annual on-target bonus 15% (personal and company multipliers can be overachieved)
* Car allowance - worth £5500 a year (can be taken as cash)
* Private healthcare for you and your family
* 10% BT pension contribution when you pay 5%
* Life assurance
* Direct share scheme
* Exclusive colleague discounts on our latest and greatest BT broadband packages
* 50% off EE mobile pay monthly or SIM only plans and 50% discount for friends and family on EE SIM only plans
* My Discounts gives colleagues access to unbeatable savings on everyday purchases at hundreds of retailers
* Discounted EE TV including TNT Sport and the NOW Entertainment membership
* Great support for working parents including pay whilst on maternity, adoptive, and paternity leave
* 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service with buy holiday option
* Volunteering days so you can give back to your local community
* Brand new electric vehicle salary sacrifice arrangement, known as ‘My EV’
Our leadership standards
Looking in:
Leading inclusively and Safely
I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity.
Owning outcomes
I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.
Looking out:
Delivering for the customer
I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business.
Commercially savvy
I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.
Looking to the future:
Growth mindset
I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation.
Building for the future
I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.
With over 175 years of heritage, BT is now the flagship business brand of BT Group. We’ve brought together our best people and capabilities into a B2B powerhouse serving 1.2 million business customers internationally.
We’re a global leader for secure connectivity and collaboration platforms for businesses of all shapes and sizes, from big household names and government departments, right through to sole traders and new start-ups. But it’s not just the technology that matters, it’s what it can do to help them build stronger, smarter, more secure businesses.
We value diversity and inclusion and believe in making a positive impact. We connect for good by championing digital inclusion and equipping people, businesses, and communities with digital skills to thrive.
As a member of our team, you will be part of an organisation that celebrates difference, fosters innovation and provides you with opportunities to be your best. With millions of businesses relying on us daily, joining BT means you can be part of a diverse and multi-skilled team that makes a significant impact to society.
A FEW POINTS TO NOTE:
Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.
We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.
DON'T MEET EVERY SINGLE REQUIREMENT?
Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway - you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.