The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is responsible for delivering the UK IP system and influencing IP rights internationally, supporting customers from individual innovators to large corporations with patents and trademarks, designs, trade secrets and copyrights. The IP system underpins the UK’s ambition to be the most innovative and creative country in the world and to incentivise investment in knowledge assets. As a Trading Fund of UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, it is key to driving forward the government’s Innovation Strategy and growth agenda and to ensuring that IP benefits are maximised across the country, supporting economic growth and enriching society.

The CEO is responsible for the strategy and operation of this growing organisation, with an income of £164m and over 1700 staff. The CEO is the IPO’s Accounting Officer and has the statutory position of Comptroller General of Patents and the Registrar of Trade Marks and Designs. There is a strong international network of IP offices, and the CEO has a key role in representing IPO and furthering the organisation’s leading reputation on the national and international stage.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the setting and delivery of IPO’s ambitious strategy so that the IP system drives innovation and investment and supports the Government’s Innovation Strategy
• Drive the IPO’s transformation programme to enhance service delivery and capability to enable future growth, provide the next generation of services and unlock the power of the IPO’s data
• Provide leadership in shaping policy, setting strategy and culture, and enhancing IPO’s reputation and the development of IP frameworks worldwide
• Lead and empower the IPO team to further develop an inclusive, customer-focussed culture with high levels of staff engagement and a focus on values and innovation
• Ensure the IPO effectively represents the UK Government’s interest, enhances its relationship with Ministers and BEIS, and promotes IP and the IPO across government, business and society

The IPO seeks individuals with credibility, energy and resilience as well as an inclusive approach to leadership. Ideally you will have:

• Strong organisational and personal leadership skills, be able to lead collaboratively and manage significant change in a complex environment, whilst ensuring an important service delivery organisation meets customers’ needs
• Adept commercial and financial skills, with a track record of successfully managing budgets to achieve maximum value and impact
• Excellent strategic and analytical skills, be able to understand the bigger picture and know when to take a strategic role and get involved in detail
• Proven experience in shaping strategy, performance, capacity, culture and values
• Effective influencing skills and the ability to inspire trust and confidence in stakeholders

The IPO welcomes applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds. The closing date and time is 23:55pm on 3rd October 2022. For further information please click on: www.odgers.com/86438 or call our Odgers Wales team for a confidential conversation on 02920 783 050 or email jemma.terry@odgers.com, steffan.griffiths@odgers.com or saffron.bowtell@odgers.com All applications will be acknowledged.