Principal IP Counsel

Principal IP Counsel

• Advance your skills in the decarbonisation space, support the transition to renewables and improve energy efficiency
• Share your Intellectual Property Legal advice with stakeholders globally
• Perth, Brisbane or Melbourne location

About the role 

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs. 

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are looking for a Principal IP Counsel to join our Intellectual Property (IP) Legal Team and provide support to Rio Tinto globally.

From mine to market, behind each of our operations and projects are technological innovations and data science that are driving new industry standards in mining and metals. With a clear focus on values, performance and strong leadership, you get to grow with an organisation that values your work and rewards you accordingly. 

Reporting to a senior legal member and working in a collaborative, diverse team within the IP Legal Team, you will be: 

• Portfolio building
  • Review and evaluate new invention disclosures; recommend appropriate action to management.
  • Prepare and prosecute patent applications for new inventions. 
  • Manage engaged law firms.
• Counselling
  • Help to maintain trade secret protection.
  • Raise IP awareness.
  • Train employees and managers in the areas of intellectual property issues and company policies.
  • Monitor intellectual property activity of competitors and advise management.
  • Perform fact gathering for right-to-use, infringement, and validity opinions.
  • Advise on IP ownership

What you’ll bring 

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• Academic background preferably in IS&T, electric engineering or chemical engineering.
• Australian patent attorney registration.
• 8 years minimum PQ experience in IP, gained in industry or private practice.
• Bilingual (English, French) highly desirable
• Self-starter, excellent inter-personal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a team.

What we offer  

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• Flexible working from home arrangements as per operational requirements
• 18 weeks of gender-neutral and equal paid parental leave, with continued superannuation contributions whilst employees are on unpaid or half paid parental leave
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more); and 

About Rio Tinto 

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive. 

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities. 

Where You’ll Be Working

Rio Tinto Legal provide legal services and expertise to the Rio Tinto Group, including corporate headquarters, operating business units and service divisions. Working to the highest standards collaboratively across the globe, Rio Tinto Legal also devises policy development and advice on legal matters.

Every Voice Matters 

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different. 

Applications close on Wednesday 6^th September 2022 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)