Swatch Group Managing Director, Patent Services
- Location
- NeuchâtelNeuchâtelSwitzerland
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Director
- Department
- Legal & Compliance
- Industry
- Fine Watches & Horology
- Posted
- Sep 10, 2026
About Swatch Group
Swatch Group stands as one of the world’s foremost watchmaking groups, uniting Swiss industrial excellence with a portfolio of distinguished maisons spanning accessible design, prestige horology, and high complication craft. As an employer, the Group offers a uniquely integrated environment, from research, manufacturing, and movement development to brand management, retail, and global operations. Rooted in Biel/Bienne and present worldwide, it values technical mastery, creative curiosity, and long-term commitment. Employees contribute to a culture where heritage, innovation, precision, and entrepreneurial energy converge, supporting iconic brands while shaping the future of Swiss watchmaking on an international stage.
Swatch Group seeks a Managing Director for Patent Services in Neuchâtel, Switzerland—lead IP strategy, manage patent portfolio, and oversee multidisciplinary team.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the patent department as an autonomous service organization with full accountability for performance and strategic direction
- Define and implement departmental strategic vision aligned with Swatch Group's innovation objectives and corporate priorities
- Manage departmental budget, ensuring financial sustainability, cost-efficiency, and profitability within the self-financed model
- Develop internal costing structures, billing practices, and performance indicators to optimize resource allocation
- Optimize workload planning and resource allocation across patent attorneys and support staff
- Drive continuous improvement of processes, tools, and service quality to maintain competitive positioning
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with internal stakeholders across all Group companies, promoting the value of intellectual property services
- Instruct, monitor, and benchmark external patent providers and competitors to ensure market-competitive positioning
- Mentor, develop, and recruit team members to ensure long-term expertise, retention, and organizational performance
- Ensure compliance with all legal, ethical, and professional standards governing patent practice
- Provide comprehensive intellectual property services for patents to all companies within Swatch Group
- Protect innovations developed across the Group's various brands and operating companies
- Draft, file, and prosecute patent applications in multiple countries throughout the world
- Conduct opposition proceedings, infringing risk assessments, and patent validity analyses
- Negotiate and manage license agreements and patent enforcement matters
- Report to the Executive Management Board member responsible for intellectual property strategy
Qualifications
- Qualified European Patent Attorney before the European Patent Office (EPO)
- University degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Microtechnology, or related technical discipline
- Minimum 15 years of proven experience in intellectual property, patent management, or closely related field with leadership responsibilities
- Strong expertise in patent strategy, portfolio management, and innovation protection
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams and driving organizational performance
- Excellent strategic thinking and business acumen with ability to influence executive-level decision-making
- Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building capabilities across diverse cultural and business environments
Skills
Experience
Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in intellectual property, patent management, or related field, including substantial leadership and managerial responsibilities. Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, driving organizational change, and handling complex patent matters across multiple jurisdictions required.
Education
University degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Microtechnology, or a related technical discipline. Qualification as a European Patent Attorney before the European Patent Office (EPO) required.
Workplace
The role is situated in Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Culture
Swatch Group offers a dynamic, multicultural workplace rooted in Swiss precision, creativity, and a deep passion for watchmaking. As an employer, it brings together craftsmanship, industrial expertise, and brand diversity, giving teams the opportunity to contribute to both iconic heritage maisons and forward-looking innovation.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Swatch Group, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Head of Patent Services», «Patent Services Director», «Director of Intellectual Property», «Patent Portfolio Director», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.