Sr. IP Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Sr. Intellectual Property Specialist supports the legal team by streamlining workflows, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring compliance across the business. Provides legal support through drafting and negotiating agreements, managing litigation matters, conducting research, and advising on IP, commercial, and regulatory matters. Drives improvements in legal operations by optimizing tools, templates, processes, and knowledge‑management systems. Plays a key role in managing the company’s intellectual property portfolio, coordinating with outside counsel, and supporting innovation programs. 

The degree/ education listed represents the minimum educational requirement; candidates with related fields of study or equivalent experience are encouraged to apply .

This role works a hybrid schedule of 3 days in office, 2 remotely. Candidates should be located in the Pittsburgh area and be able to commute to out North Shore office location.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements while providing practical legal guidance, research, and litigation and compliance support across business and product development activities.
• Drive continuous improvement in legal operations by optimizing workflows, tools, templates, matter tracking, legal technology, and AI‑enabled automation.
• Develop and maintain standard agreements, guidelines, policies, training materials, playbooks, and self‑service resources to promote consistency and best practices.
• Support legal operations functions including billing, budgeting, invoice review, knowledge management, and document organization in partnership with legal, finance, and external counsel.
• Support the company’s intellectual property portfolio by managing trademarks, IP filings, maintenance, research, competitive analyses, and coordination with outside counsel.
• Contribute to internal innovation programs by supporting invention disclosure intake, IP asset management, and ensuring proper use and protection of company IP across teams.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to identify legal risks early and deliver practical, business aligned solutions that support innovation and operational goals.
• Additional duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, Engineering, Computer Science, Business or a related field. 
• Foundational knowledge of intellectual property law (coursework or practical experience) 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills across legal, business, finance, technology, and executive audiences. 
• Demonstrated success to lead complex projects, manage competing priorities, and drive execution in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong data analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities, translating data into actionable business and operational insights.
• Exposure to legal operations, legal technology tools, or process improvement initiatives; preferred
• Experience with trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, or patent processes; preferred.
• Proficiency with productivity, collaboration tools, legal technology platforms, including AI implementation, contract management systems and/or Microsoft Office suite; preferred.
• Project management skills or certification, MBA or other relevant advanced credentials; preferred.
• Capable of organizing multiple varied assignments through practical prioritization.
• Comfortable communicating and, at times, directing senior level managers

PHYSICAL ASPECTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; talk, hear and see.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 

* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

At Matthews International, we believe in a world of inspired possibilities. We believe that taking pride in our past inspires growth for the future. And that we all have a responsibility to explore new ways of thinking, working and advancing our craft.

Globally headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matthews International is home to a global network of employees operating in two distinct industries—Memorialization and Industrial Technologies. We care deeply about what they do each day—because when we’re inspired, we can inspire others. We can make difference that goes beyond expectations—for our clients, our community and our company. 

Our dedication, drive and determination empower creativity and give us strength to transform inspired possibilities into inspiring realities. This is strengthened by our values which are fundamental to our business and guide how we work—to demonstrate integrity, cultivate employees, be our best, innovate and live the Matthews spirit. 

Matthews International affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.  Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.

Matthews International endeavors to make our employment website and application process accessible to all users and applicants. In doing so, Matthews International provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation or assistance completing the application process, please contact a member of our Human Resource Team.

At Matthews International, what makes us different is what makes us great. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.