The CHANEL Brand is one of the most important assets of our House. Protecting our Intellectual Property is fundamental to preserving the brand’s equity, exclusivity, desirability and long-term competitive advantage. In the context of technological innovation, complex new digital platforms, AI and macro-economic changes which continue to transform business models, effective IP protection requires a combination of strategic vision, legal expertise, transformational leadership and critical innovative skills.
Chanel is deeply committed to protecting its intellectual property and combating counterfeits and infringements. The fight against counterfeiting goes beyond the mere protection of our brand image: it is also a matter of protecting consumers from products that may be a health hazard and who, in most cases, are deceived about their quality and authenticity.
The UK Regional Head of Intellectual Property is responsible for developing and implementing the company’s Global intellectual property strategy within their region (including UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa), including the protection, enforcement, and commercialisation of its IP assets. This encompasses balancing strategic planning with practical execution, budget management, advocacy and representation, business support, team management and leadership, and overseeing the implementation of AI and other new technology and innovation. The role also carries primary responsibility for liaison with and escalation to the UK Region General Counsel on UK Region IP and Brand Protection activity.
This role requires a strategic and forward-looking leader managing strong and decisive brand protection, and anti-counterfeiting activities. The successful candidate will bring a business-critical perspective to IP, ensuring that intellectual property protection supports and enables the House’s long-term growth, brand equity, and competitive advantage.
This role will require a leader who can balance the demands of strengthening, maintaining and enforcing a world-class IP portfolio while ensuring effective resource allocation and sound budget management. The successful candidate will leverage technology, data and innovative AI tools to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the IP function, enabling the team to focus on higher-value activities and future challenges.
This role will also require maximising and protecting the House’s brand equity, identifying opportunities to streamline processes, improve ways of working and drive AI innovation across the function. It will also contribute to elevating and developing the capabilities of the regional and global IP community, fostering a collaborative, high-performing and forward-looking team equipped to meet the evolving needs of the business.
The successful candidate will be a strong, transformational and inspiring leader, with high emotional intelligence, excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, comfortable with driving change, engaging and influencing senior business leaders, translating complex IP matters into clear, actionable insights, and providing regular updates and strategic recommendation to UK leadership. This will include expertise in the rapidly evolving intersection of AI and IP, with the ability to assess emerging legal, regulatory and litigation risks and providing strategic advice on the protection, enforcement and exploitation of IP rights in an AI-driven environment.
The Regional Head of IP will be a solicitor, barrister, trade mark attorney or equivalent and have 10+ years of experience and will work closely across divisions and functions and with the Global and other IP regional teams. As a member of the IP Steerco, the role holder will regularly input into Global IP strategies to align with the legal team’s wider collective priorities in establishing decisive brand leadership.
They will work as one team with the other members of the IP Steerco, keeping the Steerco abreast of all progress, adaptations, challenges and successes in the region to ensure the region’s IP portfolio is consistent with and supports the Global and regional business objectives.
The Global IP Priorities are currently focused on:
Benefits at CHANEL
Our employee benefits have been created to support you across your professional and personal life by offering you:
*Benefits are eligibility dependent and subject to change at any time
At Chanel, we are focused on creating an inclusive culture that nurtures personal growth, contributing to collective progress. We believe the uniqueness of each individual increases the diversity, complementarity and effectiveness of our teams. We strongly encourage your application, as we value the perspective, experience and potential you could bring to Chanel.
Chanel is a private company and world leader in creating, manufacturing and distributing luxury products, including Ready-to-Wear, Accessories, Fragrances, Makeup, Skincare, Jewellery and Watches. Founded by Gabrielle Chanel in 1910, the House remains dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship and offering high-end creations. Chanel employs more than 32,000 people worldwide.
As part of this, the House promotes arts, culture and creativity, while investing significantly in key areas including research & development, sustainability, and innovation.
Chanel is dedicated to creating the conditions for people to perform at their best, building on their strengths and enabling them to benefit from new opportunities. It offers a unique working environment where people are given time to understand the brand, the business, and develop their personal motivations. This means everyone can grow, continue to be inspired and feel included, now and in the future. The company fosters true collaboration and respect for all, grounded in the belief that diversity is essential to the success of the organisation and its people.
Chanel is committed to rewarding people competitively, as well as offering initiatives such as wellbeing programmes, learning and development opportunities, and parental leave for all parents globally.
