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GM IP Asset Strategy

General Information

Date Published
13-Jul-2026
Advertising Ends
23-Jul-2026
ID#
16344
Role Type
General Management
Work Type
Permanent Full-Time
Workplace Type
Hybrid
Country
New Zealand
Location
Auckland

Position Description

Imagine Tomorrow with Us | Ata whakaarohia tō āpōpō
At Fonterra Te Mātāpuna, we want everyone to feel they can be themselves. 

Whether you're early in your career or ready for your next step, Fonterra offers a unique opportunity to grow with a global dairy co-operative that values care, collaboration, and contribution. 

Owned by New Zealand dairy farmers and supported by a dedicated team, we are all working together to create a better future. Imagine tomorrow with us, where your career can grow, and you can create positive change.

About the Opportunity | Mō tēnei tūranga
We are seeking a General Manager IP Asset Strategy to lead the development and execution of Fonterra’s global IP strategy.

This is a senior leadership role reporting into our Chief Growth and Strategy Officer and responsible for maximising the value of Fonterra’s intellectual property and intangible asset portfolio, while ensuring strong governance, protection, and commercial outcomes.

You will work across the Fonterra Co-operative to translate innovation into tangible value, partnering with senior stakeholders across science, markets, legal, and strategy. This includes overseeing IP strategy, risk management, commercialisation, and the end-to-end IP lifecycle.

You’ll also lead a specialist team and play a key role in embedding IP literacy and capability across Fonterra.

Key responsibilities include:

IP strategy and leadership
  • Lead the development and execution of a global IP strategy aligned to Fonterra’s long term growth ambitions
  • Provide clear line of sight between innovation activity and IP value creation
  • Drive commercially rigorous decision making across the innovation portfolio  
IP management and protection
  • Oversee a comprehensive IP management framework across creation, documentation, maintenance, and release
  • Partner with Legal to manage patents, trademarks, copyright, and design protection
  • Manage risk through robust governance, external agreements, and third party IP interactions 
IP commercialisation and value generation
  • Identify and prioritise opportunities to monetise IP, including licensing, partnerships, and new ventures
  • Develop frameworks for IP valuation and commercialisation
  • Lead strategic decisions on IP portfolio optimisation and investment  
Stakeholder engagement
  • Build and influence senior relationships across the Co op
  • Provide constructive challenge to drive better commercial and strategic outcomes
  • Champion IP awareness and capability building across the organisation
People leadership
  • Lead and develop a high performing IP team
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, performance, and continuous improvement
  • Support talent development, succession planning, and capability uplift

About You | Mōu
You are a strategic and commercially minded leader with deep expertise in intellectual property and a passion for turning innovation into value.

You thrive in complex environments and bring the ability to connect technical IP knowledge with commercial outcomes. You are confident influencing at senior levels, balancing long term strategy with practical execution.

You will bring:
  • Significant experience in IP strategy, portfolio management, and risk mitigation
  • Strong track record in IP commercialisation, including valuation and licensing
  • Proven ability to lead strategy development and cross functional execution
  • Deep experience influencing and building relationships at a senior stakeholder level
  • Strong leadership capability, with experience building and developing teams
  • Commercial acumen and strategic thinking, with the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity 
Qualifications:
  • Tertiary qualification in Science, Engineering, or a related discipline
  • Ideally a registered Patent Attorney  
Our Values | Ngā Aura 
At Fonterra, our values of Good Together, Better Every Day, and Every Drop Counts, are for everyone no matter your background, identify or experience. These values guide us in delivering exceptional outcomes for our farmers, customers, communities, and each other. Discover how your values align with ours by taking our Values Quiz

Our Commitment to You | Tā mātou oati 
We care for our people globally. Our comprehensive benefits support your well-being, development, and work-life balance:
  • Fair and equitable pay
  • Health and well-being programs (medical, mental health support)
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Career growth support
  • Work-life balance options (flexible/hybrid working where possible)
  • Employee recognition
  • Support for community involvement and cultural connection
To learn more, visit Fonterra Careers

A Career of Opportunities | Ngā Mahi
At Fonterra, we are inspired by purpose and guided by our principles and values. Together, we create goodness for generations and make a global impact at a local level. As part of our Co-operative, you are an everyday creator, imagining what Fonterra, dairy, and you can be here.

Join Us | Tātou Tātou
Does this sound good to you? Come join our whānau - bring your whole self, and let's solve for better together. 

You, me, us together, Tātou, tātou.

Together, we're shaping a future of inclusion | He Wāhi mō te Katoa
Inclusion is key to our Co-operative. We're building a team that reflects the diverse world we live in, believing it drives better decisions and innovation. 

We welcome applications from all backgrounds (ethnicities, genders, identities, orientations, ages, abilities, neurotypes, cultures, religions). 

If you face accessibility issues or need accommodations during the process, please contact your recruiter. We ensure fair participation, allowing you to be at your best. Tātou, tātou. 

Applications close at midnight on 23 July.