Global Head of Intellectual Property

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, R&D 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. Serve as the primary strategic interface between the Legal and R&D 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 R&D 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. 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 M&A transactions, partnerships, collaborations, and technology investments. Evaluate opportunities to leverage Sonova's intellectual property portfolio as a competitive and commercial advantage. 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. 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.

At Sonova, we envision a world where everyone can enjoy the delight of hearing. This vision inspires us and fuels our commitment to developing innovative solutions that improve hearing health and human connection - from personal audio devices and wireless communication systems to hearing aids and cochlear implants. We're dedicated to providing outstanding customer experiences through our global audiological care services, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage fully with the world around them. Guided by a culture of continuous improvement that fosters resilience and self-motivation, our team is united by a shared commitment to excellence and a deep sense of pride in our work, each of us playing a vital role in creating meaningful change. Here you’ll find a diverse range of opportunities that span both consumer and medical solutions and the freedom to shape your career while making an impact on the lives of others. Join us in our mission to create a more connected world, where every voice is heard and every story matters.

• 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 R&D 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.

• Proven experience managing complex cross-functional stakeholder environments.