Senior Director, Intellectual Property

We're building a relationship-oriented bank for the modern world. We need talented, passionate professionals who are dedicated to doing what's right for our clients.

At CIBC, we embrace your strengths and your ambitions, so you are empowered at work. Our team members have what they need to make a meaningful impact and are truly valued for who they are and what they contribute.

To learn more about CIBC, please visit

What you'll be doing

The Senior Director will lead the expansion and optimization of CIBC's Enterprise Patent Program and enhance CIBC's holistic Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy to create, protect and leverage CIBC's critical IP assets. Working in partnership with senior leaders and global line of business leaders, the Senior Director will also support the Enterprise Strategy team's broader mandate by driving an integrated, cross-business strategy focused on sustainable earnings growth, enhanced client experience, and superior shareholder returns. Key responsibilities include maintaining alignment between the enterprise strategy and functional group priorities—especially in areas where CIBC's approach to intellectual property is relevant including technology, human resources, corporate governance and government relations.

At CIBC we enable the work environment most optimal for you to thrive in your role. Details on your work arrangement (proportion of on-site and remote work) will be discussed at the time of your interview.

How you'll succeed

• Enterprise Patent Program Leadership – Lead the evolution of CIBC's Patent Program by building and leading a high-performing, cross-functional team to support the growth and ongoing management of CIBC's patent portfolio
• Strategic Leadership – Shape and execute CIBC's comprehensive Enterprise IP Strategy, driving innovation and sustainable value creation
• Patent Portfolio Management – Create and leverage existing processes to identify, evaluate, file, and maintain patents to build and protect CIBC's IP assets
• IP Awareness and Training – Lead IP awareness programs and training sessions for employees to foster a culture of innovation and IP compliance
• Collaboration with Strategic Business Units and Functional Groups – Work closely with Technology, Legal, Tax and front-line business teams to identify and encourage patentable innovations and capture strategic value
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation – Partner with CIBC Legal to monitor and assess IP risks, including infringement issues, and develop strategies to mitigate potential threats to the bank's IP assets
• External Stakeholder Management – Manage relationships with external legal counsel, governmental agencies, and industry partners to facilitate patentability assessments and patent filings
• Budget and Resource Management – Develop and manage the program's budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to support key initiatives
• Patent Analytics and Reporting – Analyze patent trends, set and track program KPIs, and provide actionable insights to senior management
• Continuous Improvement – Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the program to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation outcomes
• Enterprise Alignment – Ensure alignment of CIBC's IP strategy with enterprise priorities and stakeholder expectations, in close partnership with business and functional leaders
• Stakeholder Management – Build upon and improve communication channels to support enhanced stakeholder engagement through articulation of CIBC's strategy; stakeholders include CIBC's clients, investors, teams, communities and Board of Directors

Who you are

• You can demonstrate extensive knowledge of the financial services industry with experience managing senior stakeholders within a large organization. In addition you will have foundational knowledge of IP management, particularly in patents, within financial services, technology, or related sectors. You also have proven experience managing in-house legal resources and/or collaborating with in-house legal teams on a cross-functional basis, along with experience engaging external legal counsel and strategic advisors. It's an asset if you have working knowledge of CIBC project management methodologies and approach to manage and execute on assigned project objectives and to mitigate associated project risk
• You have an degree in a related field of study, along with 7 – 10 years of relevant work and leadership experience; postgraduate legal education would be considered an asset
• You give meaning to data. You enjoy investigating complex problems and making sense of information. You communicate detailed information in a meaningful way
• You act like an owner. You thrive when you're empowered to take initiative, go above and beyond, and deliver results
• You are a caring and accountable leader. You have experience developing and implementing strategic team goals. You have experience coaching employees and inspiring successful team performance
• Values matter to you. You bring your real self to work and you live our values - trust, teamwork, and accountability

What CIBC Offers

At CIBC, your goals are a priority. We start with your strengths and ambitions as an employee and strive to create opportunities to tap into your potential. We aspire to give you a career, rather than just a paycheck.

• We work to recognize you in meaningful, personalized ways including a competitive salary, incentive pay, banking benefits, a benefits program*, defined benefit pension plan*, an employee share purchase plan, a vacation offering, wellbeing support, and MomentMakers, our social, points-based recognition program.
• Our spaces and technological toolkit will make it simple to bring together great minds to create innovative solutions that make a difference for our clients.

• We cultivate a culture where you can express your ambition through initiatives like Purpose Day; a paid day off dedicated for you to use to invest in your growth and development.

• Subject to plan and program terms and conditions

What you need to know

• CIBC is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and clients feel like they belong. We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities and we provide an accessible candidate experience. If you need accommodation, please contact

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- You need to be legally eligible to work at the location(s) specified above and, where applicable, must have a valid work or study permit.
- We may ask you to complete an attribute-based assessment and other skills tests (such as simulation, coding, French proficiency, MS Office). Our goal for the application process is to get to know more about you, all that you have to offer, and give you the opportunity to learn more about us.

Job Location

Toronto-81 Bay, 9th Floor

Employment Type

Regular

Weekly Hours

37.5

Skills

Business Strategies, Communication, Corporate Development, Enterprise Strategies, Financial Modeling, Leadership, People Management, Strategic Objectives, Strategic Thinking