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.

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.

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.

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.

Experience (Essential)

At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience, including a minimum of seven years in an international environment, with a strong record of senior management in program administration or intellectual property (IP) rights.

Demonstrated experience leading digital transformation initiatives, including the integration of AI-powered and data-driven solutions to improve operational efficiency, customer experience, and service delivery.

Experience managing large, diverse, and interdisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement. 

Substantial experience engaging with high-level stakeholders.

Track record of managing complex operational environments, optimizing processes, and ensuring delivery of high-quality services in dynamic, technology-driven contexts.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience working with national IP offices or the private sector in intellectual property rights or related fields.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken proficiency in English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Proven ability to develop and implement strategies that drive business growth, increase customer acquisition, and support organizational financial sustainability - preferably within the context of global IP services or similar sectors.

Ability to set a clear strategic direction, and lead organizational change,

Proven expertise in driving digital transformation, including the adoption of AI-powered and data-driven solutions to enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and service quality.

Ability to analyze market trends, identify growth opportunities, and optimize return on investment through data-driven decision-making.

Skilled in building and maintaining high-level relationships with national and regional authorities, and key external partners.

Ability to lead, motivate, and develop large, diverse teams, fostering digital literacy, innovation, and a high-performance culture.

Skilled in mentoring, coaching, and upskilling staff for digital adoption.

Exceptional communication, negotiation, and public presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences.

Proficiency in digital tools, AI-enabled applications, and online collaboration platforms. Commitment to continuous learning and the adoption of emerging technologies.

1.     Communicating effectively.

2.     Showing team spirit.

3.     Demonstrating integrity.

4.     Valuing diversity.

5.     Producing results.

6.     Showing service orientation.

7.     Seeing the big picture.

8.     Seeking change and innovation.

9.     Developing yourself and others.

Mobility:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Annual salary:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  Please note that this estimate is for information only.  The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the December 2025 rate of 91.1%

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.  No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.