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JOB TITLE: Legal Counsel

FUNCTION: LEX

CONTRACT: Permanent

CITY & COUNTRY: CHISWICK, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?

The UK & Ireland are key markets for the BAT group in delivering its purpose to build A Better Tomorrow™ by reducing the health impact of our business through offering a greater choice of enjoyable and less risky* products. The Legal Counsel in BAT’s UK & Ireland legal team will be responsible for the provision of commercially focussed and pragmatic legal advice to enable the business to meet its commercial and strategic objectives. The role holder will provide legal advice across all of BAT’s product categories and to all business functions.

• Based on the weight of evidence and assuming a complete switch from cigarette smoking. These products are not risk free and are addictive.

What is the direct impact of this role on the team or organization?

The successful candidate will act as a dedicated single point of contact for selected business units and provide general commercial and regulatory legal advice across a range of tobacco and nicotine products, whilst supporting the entire UK & Ireland business and Legal Team across a range of legal and reputational issues.

Support the Head of Legal, UK & Ireland to deliver Best-in-Class legal counsel to the UK & Ireland business, specifically:

• Provide legal and regulatory advice relevant to the strategic direction of the business across its sales, marketing, supply chain and other commercial activities.
• Identify legal, practical and commercial risks and potential mitigations in proposed and operational or commercial activities.
• Draft and negotiate a broad range of contracts to support sales, marketing and logistics related activities in order to meet the commercial objectives of the business whilst ensuring compliance with applicable law, as well as relevant company policies and procedures.
• Review and assess a broad range of marketing assets across online and offline touchpoints in line with the relevant internal policies, UK and Irish advertising regulations and taking account of the external regulatory environment.
• Develop, organise and support training for the business on a range of regulatory and legal issues of relevance to specific business units or more generally for the business.
• Monitor developments in relevant legal areas to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable legal requirements.
• Instruct and manage external counsel when needed, reviewing external legal advice and controlling and approving spend as required.
• Support on departmental projects and initiatives

ESSENTIAL

Experience Required

• 
  Lawyer qualified to practice in England and Wales, either newly qualified or with up to two years post qualification experience. Other common law jurisdictions will be considered in the presence of significant relevant experience.
• Experience of marketing and advertising regulations across online and offline touchpoints.
• Experience in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Awareness of legal issues relating to data privacy, competition, IP and product liability, sufficient to enable the identification of potential issues at an early stage of an initiative.

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• 
  Excellent written and oral communications skills, with the ability to explain and interpret legal issues being mindful of the audience.
• Organised and able to work at pace both independently and with appropriate supervision.
• Comfort working across a variety of issues demonstrating prioritisation, pragmatic solution-orientated advice, and good commercial judgement.
• Demonstrated learning agility.
• Ability to build relationships with stakeholders and work collaboratively across functions, encouraging trust and confidence.

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• 
  Qualified lawyer (SRA registered solicitor of England & Wales, or equivalent).
• Newly qualified lawyer with up to two years post qualification experience.

BENEFICIAL

• 
  Experience working with or within an FMCG business operating in a highly regulated environment.
• Experience liaising with and managing outside counsel. .

WE ARE BAT

At BAT we are committed to our Purpose of creating A Better Tomorrow. This is what drives our people and our passion for innovation. See what is possible for you at BAT.

• Global Top Employer with 52,000 BAT people across more than 180 markets
• Brands sold in over 200 markets, made in 44 factories in 42 countries
• Newly established Tech Hubs building world-class capabilities for innovation in 4 strategic locations
• Diversity leader in the Financial Times and International Women’s Day Best Practice winner
• Seal Award winner – one of 50 most sustainable companies

BELONGING, ACHIEVING, TOGETHER

Collaboration, diversity, and teamwork underpin everything we do here at BAT. We know that collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals. Come bring your difference!