Vacancy: Executive Director, Innovation Policy Organisation, Brussels

About the hiring organisation

This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly established, independent organisation based in Brussels at the ground floor, and to shape its development from day one.

This search is being conducted on a confidential basis by Vanguard Europe while the organisation completes its formal registration. Vanguard Europe works exclusively with clients from democratic, NATO and NATO-aligned countries. Full details of the organisation will be shared with shortlisted candidates.

The organisation’s mission is to strengthen the protection, enforcement, and advancement of intellectual property rights and related policies across Europe. It brings together industry leaders, innovators, and policy experts to deliver evidence-based analysis and to engage constructively with EU institutions, national governments, and international bodies on patents, trade marks, designs, copyright, trade secrets, and related IP priorities.

At a time when Europe faces intensifying global competition for investment, talent, technological leadership, and research excellence, the organisation will serve as a trusted and influential voice for policies that encourage innovation, accelerate the commercialisation of new technologies, strengthen Europe’s industrial leadership, and promote long-term economic growth and security.

The Role of the Executive Director

The organisation is seeking an Executive Director who can build and lead the organisation. Reporting directly to the Board, the Executive Director will be the public face of the organisation and will serve as the organisation’s chief executive, principal spokesperson, and strategic adviser. The Executive Director is responsible for shaping the organisation’s strategic direction, building its institutional presence in Brussels and across Europe, establishing and leading a high-performing secretariat, and for securing the organisation’s long-term financial and organisational sustainability.

This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished leader to build and lead a new European organisation and help shape policy discussions affecting innovation, intellectual property, competitiveness and economic growth across Europe.

Key responsibilities

1. Strategy, Leadership and Governance

• Develop and implement the multi-annual strategy and annual work plan;
• ensure the Board of Directors receive timely information and support in fulfilling their governance responsibilities;
• ensure sound governance, statutory compliance and transparent reporting across the organisation;
• ensure global oversight and responsibility for the organisation’s daily operations and activities;
• act as the lead organisational actor on legal, compliance, advocacy and statutory matters;
• administer the membership structure and fees, while handling member-related matters; and
• recruit, manage, develop and retain a high-performing team and external consultants in support of the organisation’s mission and strategic objectives.

In addition, the Executive Director will lead the organisation’s institutional development, including establishing operational systems and processes and cultivating an organisational culture characterised by excellence, professionalism, integrity and collaboration.

2. Policy Leadership and Advocacy

• Lead the organisation’s positions on EU and/or national IP legislation and policy;
• represent the organisation with institutional stakeholders, including the European Commission, European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, EUIPO, EPO and WIPO;
• monitor the EU legislative and policy pipeline, tracking relevant files and emerging issues, and timely engage and respond to urgent matters;
• spearhead policy position development on behalf of the organisation;
• oversee research initiatives, consultations, reports, commissioned studies and public-facing publications that contribute to informed policy discussions throughout Europe;
• coordinate with national and Member State IP associations where possible; and
• engage with enforcement-related agencies and initiatives, including Europol, customs authorities, and the EUIPO Observatory on Infringements of IPR.

3. External Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as main organisation spokesperson to institutions, members, media and partners, including at high-level policy forums, stakeholder dialogues, conferences and public events throughout Europe;
• build partnerships and coalitions with peer associations, industry, academia, SMEs and civil society; and
• oversee and develop thought leadership, media engagement, rapid-response communications and the organisation’s digital presence.

4. Membership Development, Finance and Fundraising