Swatch Group Senior Legal Counsel — Brand Protection & Online IP Enforcement
Swatch Group — Senior Legal Counsel, Brand Protection & Online IP Enforcement in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland (full-time).
Overview
Swatch Group is a global leader in the Swiss watch industry, comprising multiple prestigious brands and vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution. The group is known for combining traditional watchmaking expertise with innovation and a commitment to responsible, Switzerland-based production.
Role & Responsibilities
- Design and execute brand protection and online IP enforcement strategies across global digital channels and marketplaces.
- Monitor ecommerce platforms, social media and third-party marketplaces for infringing listings and coordinate takedown/remediation actions.
- Draft and issue cease-and-desist letters, DMCA/notice-and-takedown requests, and coordinate domain and counterfeit seizure proceedings.
- Manage cross-border enforcement projects with internal brand teams, e‑commerce, investigations and external counsel.
- Advise on trademark, copyright and design rights matters and prepare litigation-ready case files when escalations are required.
- Develop processes, playbooks and KPIs for proactive IP protection; provide training to commercial and compliance stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Qualified lawyer with a law degree (LLB/JD/LLM) and admission to the bar or equivalent practicing qualification.
- Demonstrated specialist knowledge of intellectual property law, trademark enforcement and online enforcement mechanisms.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional enforcement projects and manage external counsel across multiple jurisdictions.
- Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, with experience producing enforceable legal notices and litigation briefs.
- Strong familiarity with digital platforms, ecommerce marketplaces and the practicalities of online investigations.
Skills
Experience
Senior-level experience in intellectual property law with a minimum of approximately 5+ years handling brand protection and online enforcement matters; in-house experience with consumer or luxury brands and exposure to cross-border ecommerce enforcement preferred.
Education
Law degree (LLB, JD or equivalent); bar admission or equivalent practicing qualification preferred.
Workplace
This position is based in Biel/Bienne, Bern, Switzerland, within easy reach of Bern.
Culture
Swatch Group blends Swiss artisanal watchmaking with modern innovation and a focus on sustainable production. The organisation values technical excellence, collaborative problem-solving and the protection of its maisons' reputations through disciplined, commercially aware legal work.
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 «Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property Enforcement», «Senior Legal Counsel, Trademark & Brand Protection», «Online IP Enforcement Counsel», «Senior Trademark Enforcement Counsel», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.