Senior Legal Counsel

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. With products like VELO, VUSE and GLO we are on a mission to decrease the health impact of our industry

To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to Be The Change. Come, join us on this journey!

British American Tobacco has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Legal Counsel in London, UK.

ROLE POSITIONING AND OBJECTIVES

The role of Senior Legal Counsel, United Kingdom & Ireland is expected to support the Head of Legal with the provision of strategic leadership and robust advice on all legal matters in the United Kingdom & Ireland. Senior Legal Counsel, United Kingdom & Ireland is expected to proactively provide the business with quality commercial and legal advice, guidance, leadership and support; consistently manage and ensure that commercial issues are addressed and legal risks are minimised; ensuring legislative and internal standards and principles compliance; provide legislative guidance and support to the company’s regulatory efforts; identify opportunities for improved ways or working and actively participate in problem-solving and decision-making in all areas of the business, enabling the End Market/ Cluster (United Kingdom & Ireland, Western Europe Area) to achieve its strategic and company plan objectives.

The role will require strategic counselling on a variety of legal matters in a market where we are at the forefront when it comes to delivering the BAT strategy of building A Better Tomorrow by reducing the health impact of our business. The legal team’s work ranges all the way from commercial contracts, marketing and activation strategies and execution across multiple touchpoints (including e-commerce, digital marketing, and retail) to strategic litigation, regulatory counselling, product development and manufacturing compliance.

The primary responsibility of the role is for the United Kingdom & Ireland, but the role is expected to support other markets in the Western Europe Cluster as necessary.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Support the Head of Legal with the strategic leadership of legal matters in United Kingdom & Ireland. Provide legal advice across the United Kingdom & Ireland to ensure compliance with all applicable regulation and BAT policies and procedures, ensuring that decisions are taken in accordance with the Group\’s policies and guidelines, and that all appropriate Legal and reputational considerations and options are factored in.
• Support the effective deployment of Global, Regional and Area Legal strategies in the United Kingdom & Ireland and Western Europe including effective management of law firms and other 3rd party suppliers.
• Contribute to the realisation of the company’s vision and strategies.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve efficiencies and ways of working, and propose innovative solutions to address the same.
• Support the effective management of all compliance risks (competition law, anti-bribery, GDPR etc.) and embed the Group’s compliance strategy including policies and procedures, processes, risk assessment, monitoring, training, and communication in the United Kingdom & Ireland.
• Protect the commercial interests and corporate reputation of the business to ensure sustainability.
• Support the effective management of commercial and strategic litigation in collaboration with the central litigation team and eliminate or minimise potentially significant financial and reputational consequences.
• Provide strategic counselling to the business regarding marketing activities and general corporate and commercial matters such as commercial agreements, trading and distribution agreements, services agreements etc.
• Provide strategic counselling to the business on general product compliance and other regulatory matters.
• Build multi-functional relationships, creating an environment where information and resources are shared in pursuit of our business objectives.
• Contributes to the oversight and development of more junior members of the team (where applicable).

What are we looking for?

• Qualified lawyer with over 6+ years’ experience in commercial and corporate practice (either in-house or in private practice), with a proven track record of advising on legal and regulatory matters.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, and ability to plan, anticipate and manage priorities to optimise output and enhance the effectiveness of commercial solutions.
• Ability to influence and foster buy-in from people at senior management levels and across peers and juniors.
• Highly articulate confident individual with excellent written communication, presentational and drafting skills.
• Capable of communicating fluently in written and spoken English.
• Hands-on, adaptable and pro-active attitude, sound commercial judgement and ability to work under pressure and to cope with unexpected and varied demands.
• Experience working with legal regulatory frameworks is strongly preferred e.g., within Tobacco, Food, Pharma or FMCG.

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• Thinks strategically and acts commercially.
• Helps by shaping and executing strategy.
• Learns quickly and is agile.
• Collaborative and influences.
• Focuses on creative innovations in the provision of legal services.

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• Qualified lawyer – either licenced to practise law in United Kingdom & Ireland or having experience of practice in an equivalent jurisdiction.
• Experience in counselling clients or businesses on a wide range of general commercial issues, preferably in a regulated industry.

BENEFICIAL

• Experience working with legal regulatory frameworks is strongly preferred e.g., within Tobacco, Food, Pharma or FMCG.
• Experience working in a multinational company/ international environment.

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
• Your journey with us isn\’t limited by boundaries; it\’s propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn\’t just a statement – it\’s a reality we\’re eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You\’ll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes

WHY JOIN BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.

We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture.

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.