Senior Director, The Hague Registry

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE:  please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

1.     Organizational Context

a.    Organizational Setting

The Hague Registry is entrusted with the comprehensive management and progressive development of the Hague System, which enables users to secure protection for their designs across multiple jurisdictions through a single application with WIPO’s International Bureau. The Registry is pivotal to WIPO’s strategic agenda, serving as one of the key cornerstones for the Organization’s future growth and financial sustainability by driving increased utilization of the Hague System.

In alignment with WIPO’s vision to expand its global IP services, the Senior Director will play a leading role in the digital transformation of the Hague Registry. This includes spearheading the adoption of innovative, AI-powered, and data-driven solutions that enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and service quality. The incumbent will also strategically contribute to WIPO’s growth by formulating and executing initiatives that increase the Hague System filings, thereby supporting the Organization’s financial sustainability.

b.    Purpose Statement

The Senior Director will provide visionary leadership to the Hague Registry, setting its strategic direction and ensuring alignment with WIPO’s business objectives. The incumbent will champion digital transformation, foster a culture of innovation, and drive the integration of advanced technologies - including AI and CRM systems - across all Registry functions. By doing so, the Senior Director will enhance the Registry’s international presence, strengthen WIPO’s brand, and deliver measurable results that contribute to increased customer acquisition and revenue growth.

c.     Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Deputy Director General, Brands and Designs Sector.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent works with a wide variety of internal stakeholders including the Marketing and Business Growth Division and the Madrid Registry in the Brands and Designs Sector, the Customer Experience, Marketing, and Digital Engagement Division, Information and Communication Technology Department (ICTD), and sectors across WIPO. The incumbent also works closely with external stakeholders including member states, the private sector and a variety of external organizations.

2.     Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Lead the digital transformation of the Hague Registry, establishing a state-of-the-art operational environment that leverages technology and AI to optimize productivity, service quality, and customer engagement.

b.   Strategically drive the increased use of the Hague System to support WIPO’s financial sustainability, collaborating closely with internal divisions focused on marketing, growth, and digital engagement.

c.   Formulate and implement policies and strategies that align the Registry’s operations with long-term trends in international design filings, and address language-related challenges in the international design system. This involves implementing outsourcing solutions and leading the Registry’s data-driven operations, including WIPO’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.

d.   Oversee all core activities of the Registry, empowering an integrated management team to deliver a world-class Hague System and maintain its status as the preferred choice for international design registration. Lead, motivate, and develop the overall Hague team, fostering a culture of respect for diversity, customer centeredness, continuous improvement, digital savviness, and innovation.

e.   Determine priorities, allocate resources for the timely and quality delivery of work products per results-based management principles, ensuring that key risks are identified, assessed and managed for the achievement of agreed KPIs, ensuring that program objectives are met.

f.    Initiate and coordinate preparatory work and follow-up actions relating to relevant WIPO legal bodies and working groups focusing on the simplification of the Hague System and other international conferences convened by WIPO.

g.   Engage proactively with WIPO Member States, users and external stakeholders to expand the geographical coverage of the Hague System and address evolving challenges in the international design environment. Represent WIPO at high-level international, regional, and national meetings, providing authoritative advice and demonstrating the Organization’s value to clients and stakeholders.

h.   Perform other related duties as required.

3.     Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in Business or Public Administration, Law, Management, Social Science, Science, Engineering or related field. A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience required below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.