Chief IP Officer

Who are we?
Volvo Cars is a company on a mission; to bring traditional car manufacturing into a connected, sustainable and smart future.
Since 1927, we have been a brand known for our commitment to safety, creating innovative cars that make life less complicated for our consumers. In 2010, we decided to transform our business, resulting in a totally new generation of cars and technologies, as well as steady growth and record sales. Today, we’re expanding our global footprint in Europe, China and the US, and we’re on the lookout for new talent.
We are constantly pushing our own skills and abilities to drive change in the automobile industry like never before. We are looking for innovative, committed people to join us in this endeavour and create safe, sustainable and connected cars. We believe in the power of people and will challenge and support you to reach your full potential. Join us and be part of Volvo Cars’ journey into the future.

What We Offer
Innovation is a cornerstone of Volvo Cars’ operations and as such, Intellectual Property (IP) has a high profile within the company and is acknowledged as being of paramount importance to the organisation’s continued commercial success. IP is a global support function handling patents, trademarks, design and copyright matters (IP rights) on behalf of all companies and business units within the Volvo Car Group and providing support regarding IP aspects in license agreements, R&D agreements, purchase agreements as well as other commercial agreements.


What You’ll Do
The Chief IP Officer is responsible for all IP related matters for Volvo Cars. You will lead a team of sixteen IP professionals based at sites in Sweden, USA and China. As the head of the IP team, the Chief IP Officer has full leadership responsibility as well as the responsibility to independently handle all HR, forecasting and business planning matters coming with the manager position. You will act as an advisor and business partner to the global Volvo Car organisation in IP matters, most of complex and of global nature.


Key Responsibilities             
You will focus on developing and maintaining the IP strategy, creation and maintenance of a business relevant IP portfolio in close collaboration with R&D, Digital and Design document and contract drafting, negotiations with external parties, litigation and supervision of external advisors in matters requiring external specialist support.

More specifically you will work with handling IP matters independently and assuming the full responsibility in relation to top management as well as other relevant managers throughout the business organisation is also a key area. You will proactively increase the awareness about IP within the company and providing internal IP training at higher level to the organisation. Acting as project leader of large and complex IP driven projects are another important focus area.

To be actively engaged in leading and driving the development of the own organisation and focusing on continuous improvements and drives change throughout the business organisation will be an important part of the role. You will participate in internal meetings and committees within the R&D organisation where innovation and future technology road maps are discussed.

Do you fit the profile?
To succeed in this role we believe that you have an education to MSc level or beyond in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or a related field. Candidates with a legal background will also be considered, if combined with a strong technology understanding. We see that you have a full qualification as a European or US Patent Attorney with over a decade of experience as an IP professional either at a law firm, IP firm and/or in-house, holding a senior position.

You have provided several cross-functional and/or global examples of driving and leading change in the business and you also have proven experience in a management role and in working effectively in a global team. We see that you have excellent inter-personal skills in resolving conflicts and extensive experience in leading, mentoring and coaching an IP team with a strong interest in developing the individual team members as well as the team’s way of working.

You have high level of analytical skills and high ability not only to analyse and understand the details in a specific matter with high complexity, but also the ability to apply IP, business and financial aspects of relevance for the organisation. You are fluent in English and have very well-developed communication and presentation skills as well as being an experienced negotiator.

How to learn more and apply
Does this sound like your next challenge? Feel free to apply through the link adding CV and Cover letter in English as soon as possible, but no later than December 12th. Please note that selections will be running continuously. Please note that due to GDPR we are not accepting application by email.