Group Head of Patent

Please kindly send in your application in English by May 31st. Innovation is a cornerstone of Electrolux operations and as such, Intellectual Property has an ever-increasing profile within the company and is acknowledged as being of paramount importance to the organization's continued commercial success.

As our head of Patent, YOU will lead the Group Patent function, reporting to Head of Insights, Innovation & Patent. This is an integral position within the organization, requiring an experienced and talented leader with demonstrable track record of leading a function of highly skilled specialists within a global multinational. In addition to the technical and digital transformation at Electrolux, we are undergoing significant internal transformation, with strong emphasis on becoming increasingly innovation (and therefore IP) led. Electrolux is anticipating sector developments that parallel those in high-tech growth sectors such as telecoms, automotive and IoT, and we have begun to make strides to capitalize on our position at the forefront of the appliances market.

We are thus seeking an individual not just capable of adapting to anticipated sectoral evolution, we are looking for a person to lead the Group Patents department and its transformation to business-driven IP management: future-proofing our business through proactive creation and use of IP to support business objectives cross Electrolux. The incoming Group Head of Patent will thus be a figurehead for creating change, with key responsibility for driving Electrolux's evolution from its historic roots, closer to the cutting edge of innovation.

The position – ideally based at the headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden or close to our R&D centers in Porcia, Italy– has full responsibility for the leadership and management of Electrolux Group Patent function. As Group Head of Patent, you will lead a global patents team of approximately 40 people.

You will lead (including handling the forecasting and business planning matters) the Group Patent department through an exciting period of change, establishing a new organizational and operating model with the competitor landscape necessitating additional activities. You will do so in strong collaboration with the Legal department, the latter being responsible for the maintenance of the trademark portfolio, domain names and IP litigation.

You will, together with other relevant internal stakeholders, have a key role in establishing an overall effective organization and structure around IP, after having had an opportunity to shape the company's IP strategy.


Key Responsibilities
· Developing and maintaining a forward-thinking IP strategy, in close collaboration with R&D, Product Lines, IP Legal and business units amongst others
· Accountability for return on IP investments (the proactive creation, management, and use of IP portfolios to impact revenue, costs and risks across business lines)
· Drive, inspire and safeguard the journey towards a consolidated and business-driven IP organization, integrated into the strategic dialogue of Electrolux business lines
· Lead the business-driven IP culture in Electrolux, including attracting, developing and retaining talent.
· Leadership responsibility for the Group Patent function
· Active engagement by leading and driving the development of the organization focusing on continuous improvements and drive change throughout the business organization
· Ensure excellent working relationship with the Legal function in order to drive matters collaboratively
The successful candidate is likely to fulfil the following criteria:
We believe that you are either:
· An entrepreneurial technology or business leader with understanding from IP management and its components e.g. awareness, generation, administration, reporting, risk management, strategy, enforcement, defense, transaction. Or,
· A progressive IP professional seeking a senior leadership role.
Your skills
· People person with strong communication and networking skills, and experience from building relationships across business functions
· Previous leadership experience of organizational change and transformation, showcasing true leadership in Diversity & Inclusion
· Possess excellent leadership and organizational skills with the ability to instill confidence and trust in others and thus enhance and sustain the performance the team
· An ability to drive strategy, build effective relationships, and motivate, develop and retain talent
· At least 7 years leadership experience, in a multinational setting
· Be flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working in a multi-cultural company, which possesses excellent standards of ethics and behavior
· Strong experience from driving technology-based – and ideally digital – business
· Strong entrepreneurial drive with the ability lead in a people- and value-focused way
· Working knowledge of patents, designs, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets
· Fluent in English
Öppen för alla
Vi fokuserar på din kompetens, inte dina övriga förutsättningar. Vi är öppna för att anpassa rollen eller arbetsplatsen efter dina behov.