Managing Director & Head of Trademarks, Volvo Trademark Holding AB

About Volvo Trademark Holding AB

Volvo Trademark Holding AB is the worldwide owner of the famous VOLVO trademarks. It is a distinct company jointly and equally owned by Volvo Group and Volvo Cars.

Our mission is to own, maintain, protect and preserve the VOLVO trademarks on a global basis. We manage trademark-related matters in close cooperation with colleagues at Volvo Cars and Volvo Group, safeguarding one of the world’s most recognized and respected brands.

Founded in 1927, the Volvo Group is committed to shaping the future landscape of sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions. Every day our customers use our products and services to transport, deliver, build and ferry goods and people around the world. Our products and services help to put food on our tables, carry people to work or school, build roads, keep our cities clean and much, much more. Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and drive systems for marine and industrial applications. Volvo is one of the most well-known and respected car brands in the world with sales to customers in more than 100 countries. Volvo Cars aims to provide freedom to move in a personal, sustainable and safe way. This is reflected in Volvo Cars’ ambition to become a fully electric car maker and in its commitment to an ongoing reduction of its carbon footprint.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and business-oriented Managing Director & Head of Trademarks to lead Volvo Trademark Holding AB.

This is a unique leadership role combining overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation of Volvo Trademark Holding AB with strategic and operational responsibility for global management, maintenance, protection and enforcement of the VOLVO trademark portfolio.

This role requires a senior trademark professional with strong managerial skills and drive, sound judgement and the ability to lead a small expert team while working closely with senior stakeholders at AB Volvo and Volvo Cars, as well as a network of external advisors. 

This position is located at Lindholmen in Göteborg where also the full Trademark Holding team is located.

This role is designed to be fully on-site to drive daily engagement and operational alignment. We welcome applicants based within a manageable commute to our location.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and support the Volvo Trademark Holding AB team, consisting of two trademark counsels, one paralegal and one administrative professional.
• Hold overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation of Volvo Trademark Holding AB, including administrative, financial and personnel matters.
• Manage and oversee the worldwide VOLVO trademark portfolio, including registrations, applications, renewals and assessment of the scope of protection worldwide.
• Drive and oversee trademark prosecution and enforcement activities globally, including oppositions, infringements, lawsuits, domain name proceedings, customs matters and online takedown actions.
• Review, amend and sign various legal documents such as agreements, powers of attorney, warning letters, consents, authorization letters.
• Ensure that trademark prosecution and enforcement matters are handled in accordance with agreed strategies and working processes with AB Volvo and Volvo Cars.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the IP departments of AB Volvo and Volvo Cars on trademark matters and coordinate actions in accordance with their instructions.
• Lead and coordinate work relating to the common ownership and governance of the VOLVO trademarks in cross functional and intercompany working groups.
• Extensive contacts with law firms and external counsel worldwide.
• Budgeting, financial and operational follow-up and reporting.
• Management systems overall responsibility.
• Drive digitalization of operations and tools.

Who You Are

You are a confident, driven, collaborative and structured leader with a strong interest in trademarks, brand protection and international business. You combine legal and brand expertise with commercial understanding and sound judgement.

You enjoy building and developing teams, creating clarity and driving matters forward from strategy to execution. You are comfortable making decisions, managing external counsel and advising senior stakeholders in complex trademark matters across multiple jurisdictions.

Most importantly, you are motivated by the opportunity to protect and preserve the Volvo trademarks - one of the world’s most iconic trademarks.

Qualifications and Experience

We are looking for an experienced trademark professional and leader who brings:

• A law degree or equivalent legal qualification.
• At least 10 years’ experience from working with trademarks and brand protection either at a law firm or in-house.
• Deep knowledge of trademark law and extensive experience of global trademark portfolio management, prosecution and enforcement.
• Leadership experience, including responsibility for people, operation and reporting.
• Strong interest in digital tools and AI and working efficiently with case management and relevant tech.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, committees, governance bodies or similar decision-making forums.
• Strong business judgement and the ability to make well-balanced decisions in complex international matters.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Experience of working in an international and multicultural environment.

For further information or questions, please contact:

Karine Forien, SVP Brand Experience, karine.forien@volvo.com
Lisa Selar, Head of Trademark and Design, lisa.selar@volvocars.com  
Linda Skår, Head of People & Culture, linda.skar@volvo.com

Last application date is October 11th but please send your application as soon as possible as we will review applications continuously.