Head of Intellectual Property

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ACCOUNTANTS (IFAC)
During 2024, IFAC shifted its strategic focus to maximizing member value and experience. The Member Value Proposition (MVP) was created and is currently being embedded into all of IFAC’s activities:

• IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global.
• IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition.
• IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.

IFAC has traditionally delivered member services from a centralized operating model based in New York. As part of the transformation to a new target operating model, IFAC will move to a global multi-location model, which will greatly enhance our ability to deliver value to member organizations around the world. As part of this shift, we welcome applicants from around the globe to apply and contribute to our mission.

IFAC also continues to provide operational and administrative support to the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit (IFEA) through a service-level agreement. IFEA is a separate, independent non-profit organization that houses two international standard-setting boards focused on audit and ethics.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Head of Intellectual Property (IP) is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing, protecting, and optimizing the use of IFAC’s intellectual property assets across its global network of stakeholders. This role ensures the strategic development, implementation, and enforcement of IP policies and practices that safeguard IFAC’s brand integrity, publications, digital content, trademarks, copyrights, reproductions, translations, and licenses. This role also leads the end-to-end process for preparing, formatting, and delivering authoritative publications, including standards, guidance, and technical handbooks, for both print and digital platforms, including the e-International Standards (eIS) platform. The Head of IP also plays a key role in guiding the organization's digital rights strategy, international licensing agreements, and IP-related risk management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential duties and responsibilities include those that are set out below. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

• Develop and lead IFAC’s intellectual property strategy and governance framework, ensuring alignment with the organization’s MVP and global activities.
• Oversee the management and protection of IFAC’s trademarks, copyrights, licensing, reproductions, translations, and agreements across jurisdictions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate IP-related clauses in contracts and agreements, including those related to publishing, partnerships, vendors, and content licensing.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with internal IP policies and external legal and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with communications and technology teams to address rights management, brand protection, and digital asset security.
• Advise on IP considerations in the development of platforms or content, particularly in digital formats.
• Manage relationships with IP registration bodies and licensing partners as needed.
• Contribute to the strategic development of IFAC’s global presence through responsible and forward-looking use of intellectual property.
• Oversee and manage intellectual property rights for IFAC and IFEA content, including licensing, permissions, and translation processes through IFAC’s OPRI system.
• Ensure compliance with global IP laws and internal governance policies, serving as the primary liaison on copyright and trademark matters between IFAC and IFEA leadership.
• Safeguard the integrity and accessibility of IFAC and IFEA materials by developing and maintaining IP protocols in coordination with legal, communications, and operational teams.
• Manage, mentor, and coach the IP team to enhance leadership capabilities and drive organizational impact.
• Manage the outsourced service provider, ensuring timely production, quality control, and process alignment with IFAC’s IP policies for document formatting and the IP team.
• Lead and manage the IP team by providing mentorship and employee development.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED SKILLS

• Advanced degree in law, intellectual property, business administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in intellectual property management, preferably in a global or mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success managing trademarks, copyrights, content licensing, and IP enforcement on an international scale.
• Strong knowledge of IP law, digital rights management, and content protection strategies.
• Experience drafting and negotiating IP-related clauses in contracts and partnership agreements.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with sound business judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across legal, creative, and technical teams.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
• Familiarity with content management and digital asset management systems.
• Legal qualification or bar admission is preferred but not required.
• Experience with standards-setting bodies, international organizations, or the accountancy profession is a plus.

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Additionally, if an applicant is US-based, provided they meet all eligibility requirements under the applicable plan documents, employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees will also be able to enroll in our company’s 401 (k) plan, as well as a deferred compensation plan, provided they meet plan requirements.

IFAC welcomes applicants from all geographical locations, and this role can be remote if outside of the NY-Metropolitan area. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At IFAC, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range for candidates in the NY-Metropolitan region is $175,000 - $225,000.

IFAC is an equal employment employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.