Global Head of Intellectual Property

Global Head of Intellectual Property We are seeking a Global Head of Intellectual Property to lead Sonova's global intellectual property strategy and governance framework. This is a highly visible enterprise leadership role operating at the intersection of Legal, RD, innovation, and business strategy. The executive will serve as the enterprise owner of IP strategy, risk management, enforcement, licensing strategy, and governance across both hard and soft IP. Working in close partnership with RD leadership, the leader will ensure that intellectual property is fully integrated into technology planning, innovation pipelines, product roadmaps, and business decision-making. The successful candidate will lead a global IP organization through experienced team leaders and external partners while serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on matters that impact innovation, competitive positioning, and enterprise value creation. Enterprise IP Strategy Leadership Define, develop, and continuously evolve Sonova's global intellectual property strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, innovation priorities, and market positioning. Serve as the principal advisor to the General Counsel, Executive Committee members, RD leadership, and senior business leaders on intellectual property matters. Own enterprise-wide IP governance, risk management, and strategic decision-making across patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, and related intellectual property assets. Lead and develop senior IP professionals while fostering a business-oriented and strategically focused IP culture. Shape the future evolution of Sonova's IP function, capabilities, operating model, and external partnerships. Strategic Partnership with RD Serve as the primary strategic interface between the Legal and RD organizations on all intellectual property matters. Ensure IP strategy is embedded throughout innovation processes, technology planning, product development, and long-term technology roadmaps. Maintain a permanent strategic presence within innovation planning and technology governance forums to identify and protect key innovations at the earliest stages of development. Guide strategic decisions concerning patents, trade secrets, design rights, publication strategies, open innovation initiatives, and alternative protection mechanisms. Partner closely with RD leadership to ensure effective operation of invention harvesting processes, IP stage-gates, freedom-to-operate reviews, and technical risk assessments. Establish the strategic direction for Sonova's global patent and design portfolio. Ensure portfolio investments are aligned with business priorities, technology trends, and competitive differentiation objectives. Oversee portfolio development, prosecution strategy, maintenance decisions, and lifecycle management through experienced internal teams and external counsel. Regularly assess portfolio strength, geographic coverage, white-space opportunities, competitive positioning, and emerging risks. Drive a disciplined approach to maximizing portfolio value and return on investment. Direct Sonova's IP-based competitive intelligence strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and technology objectives. Oversee strategic freedom-to-operate, clearance, and risk management frameworks across the organization. Translate complex competitive IP landscapes into actionable strategic recommendations for executive leadership. Monitor significant industry, regulatory, technological, and competitive developments impacting Sonova's innovation strategy. Identify opportunities for portfolio strengthening, strategic acquisitions, partnerships, licensing opportunities, and risk mitigation. Licensing, Partnerships Value Creation Lead the company's strategy for licensing, cross-licensing, technology partnerships, and other IP-based value creation initiatives. Support strategic commercial negotiations where intellectual property is a key business asset. Provide strategic IP leadership in MA transactions, partnerships, collaborations, and technology investments. Evaluate opportunities to leverage Sonova's intellectual property portfolio as a competitive and commercial advantage. Disputes, Enforcement Litigation Strategy Define and direct Sonova's global strategy for IP enforcement, defense, and dispute resolution. Oversee significant patent, trademark, copyright, advertising, and technology-related disputes worldwide. Manage external counsel and expert advisors supporting contentious IP matters. Advise executive leadership on risk exposure, litigation strategy, settlement considerations, and business impacts. Ensure alignment between litigation strategy, portfolio development, and broader business objectives. Soft IP Governance Brand Protection Oversee enterprise management of trademarks, copyrights, brand protection, marketing claims, and related intellectual property matters. Ensure effective collaboration between Legal, Marketing, and Commercial functions to protect and enhance Sonova's brand assets. Establish frameworks that enable early review, clearance, and protection of brand and product naming initiatives. Support the development and protection of valuable intangible assets across the business. Governance Enterprise Risk Management Establish and maintain robust IP governance frameworks, policies, processes, and decision-making standards. Chair or actively participate in cross-functional governance forums responsible for intellectual property strategy, prioritization, and resource alignment. Ensure consistent and proactive management of IP-related risks across jurisdictions and business functions. Promote enterprise-wide awareness of intellectual property as a strategic business asset. Ensure effective utilization of external counsel, service providers, and supporting resources. More about you: Advanced degree (JD, PhD, LLM, MSc Engineering, or equivalent) in a legal, scientific, engineering, or technical discipline. 15+ years of progressive intellectual property experience with significant exposure to patent strategy and counseling. Demonstrated success operating at a senior strategic level and influencing executive leadership and RD organizations. Deep understanding of global patent systems and broader intellectual property frameworks. Experience leading IP organizations through senior professionals and external partners. Strong commercial orientation with the ability to balance legal, technical, business, and innovation considerations. Preferred previous experience Experience within a multinational technology, healthcare, medical device, electronics, software, or innovation-driven organization. Significant experience in patent litigation, enforcement, oppositions, or dispute management in the US and Europe. Demonstrated success supporting strategic licensing, cross-licensing, technology transactions, collaborations, or MA activities. Familiarity with U.S., European, and Asian intellectual property systems and regulatory environments. Experience partnering closely with engineering and RD organizations in highly innovative environments. Sonova is an equal opportunity employer. We team up. We grow talent. We collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds to win with the best team in the market place. We guarantee every person equal treatment in regard to employment and opportunity for employment, regardless of a candidate's ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or marital status, gender, genetic identity, age, disability or any other legally protected status. #J-18808-Ljbffr