Senior Intellectual Property Manager in Derby

Location: Hybrid, based from one of our offices in Derby, Manchester or Warrington.

Salary: We anticipate paying a salary in the £81,650.00 - £107,200.00 range.

Our mission at Rolls-Royce SMR is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Our Small Modular Reactor provides a British solution to a global energy challenge, combining engineering excellence, innovation and sustainability to create long-term impact in the UK and beyond.

The Legal function at Rolls-Royce SMR plays a critical role in enabling responsible growth, innovation and collaboration. Working closely with engineering, commercial and supply-chain partners, the team safeguards the organisation while supporting pace, creativity and confident decision-making.

We are looking for a Senior Intellectual Property Manager to lead our intellectual property function, reporting into the Legal team. This is a pivotal, senior individual contributor role with enterprise-wide influence, shaping and embedding IP strategy while protecting and enabling our technology, partnerships and future growth.

We’ll need you to:

• Lead and evolve Rolls-Royce SMR’s intellectual property strategy, policies and governance using a clear, risk-based approach.
• Oversee and protect IP rights across complex contracts, customers and suppliers, ensuring regulatory and contractual compliance.
• Partner closely with engineering and commercial teams to identify innovations, manage patent strategy and avoid third-party constraints.
• Build IP capability across the organisation through practical guidance, training and continuous improvement.

This is a high-profile role with significant autonomy and influence, suited to someone who brings sound judgement, collaborative leadership and the ability to translate complex IP matters into clear, practical outcomes.

You’ll bring:

• A recognised qualification in intellectual property, law, engineering or a related STEM discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Deep working knowledge of IP management within a large, complex engineering or technology-led organisation.
• Experience shaping IP provisions across contracts and managing a patent pipeline with external counsel.
• The ability to operate confidently with multiple stakeholders, balancing commercial, technical and regulatory considerations.

This role offers flexible and hybrid working. You’ll be expected to attend a Rolls-Royce SMR office on a regular basis to support collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

What’s in it for you:

We anticipate a salary of £81,650.00 - £107,200.00 dependent on the skills, values, and knowledge you bring. We also offer flexible working, development opportunities and the chance to shape IP strategy in a growing, purpose-led organisation.

We also offer excellent benefits including:

• Bonus - Performance related bonus with a target of 17%.
• Benefits Allowance - £5000, enabling you to create a bespoke package.
• Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays - 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days.
• Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover health care.
• Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay.
• £250 - One-off payment for new starters for home office purchases.

The recruitment process typically includes an initial conversation with the Talent Acquisition Partner followed by interview stages with key stakeholders. Due to the nature of our work, successful applicants will be required to complete BPSS security clearance and associated checks.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to inclusive, fair and accessible recruitment and to making reasonable adjustments where needed.

You may not feel you meet every requirement listed — that’s okay. There’s no such thing as a perfect candidate. If this role excites you and you feel you bring relevant experience or transferable skills, we encourage you to apply.

If this role isn’t right for you, please feel free to share it with someone who might be interested.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check.