Senior IP Lawyer

This is an exciting opportunity to join the BBC as a Senior IP Lawyer at a time when intellectual property law is evolving rapidly, driven by advances in technology and artificial intelligence.

You’ll provide expert legal advice across the BBC Group on a broad range of intellectual property issues, working closely with business, technology and creative teams to support the creation and protection of world class content and innovative products. The role spans both the BBC and BBC Studios, offering exposure to a diverse range of production, technology and distribution activities.

As a Senior IP Lawyer, you’ll work directly with clients across the organisation, providing clear, practical advice on complex legal issues and helping teams navigate new opportunities and challenges. You’ll collaborate with colleagues across television, radio, podcasts, online products, BBC News and technology teams, gaining exposure to some of the most innovative and high‑profile work in the media industry. You’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of your own matters, contribute to strategic decision‑making and continue developing your expertise in a supportive and collaborative environment. We’re committed to delivering first‑class legal advice while maintaining a healthy work‑life balance. There are also opportunities to participate in pro‑bono initiatives and contribute to our Legal for Everyone programme, which promotes inclusion and diversity across the legal function.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND IMPACT

Your work will include a broad mix of advisory, transactional and where required, contentious IP matters. While you’ll work across the full spectrum of intellectual property rights, the role has a particular focus on patents, technology, copyright and contractual rights.

• Support Senior Counsel on patent‑related matters, including standard essential patents (SEPs), patent pools, licence requests and the assessment of potential patent claims.
• Work with clients and patent agents identifying potential patent opportunities, on licensing opportunities or partnership structures.
• Assist with patent applications, invention assessments and the protection of new innovations arising across the BBC.
• Lead the negotiation and drafting of complex technology and R&D agreements, including non‑disclosure agreements, collaboration agreements and other commercial arrangements.
• Provide advice on intellectual property, contractual and rights‑related issues across a range of business activities, including content commissioning, collective licensing arrangements, content exploitation and dispute management.
• Advise content creators on copyright matters, including the application of copyright exceptions and related disputes.
• Supervise, mentor and support the development of junior lawyers and trainees within the team.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• Qualified Solicitor or CILEX Lawyer with significant post‑qualification experience in intellectual property law and a proven track record of advising on complex IP matters. A current practising certificate is required or must be obtained before commencing the role.
• Strong technical knowledge of intellectual property law, with demonstrable experience advising on a broad range of IP rights and related legal issues.
• Proven experience providing specialist legal advice to senior stakeholders and supporting key business decisions. You will possess commercial awareness and a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the media, technology and content industries.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to assess legal and commercial risk and develop practical solutions. You will have experience of managing a varied workload, working independently and remaining effective when balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly and effectively to non‑legal audiences.

DESIRABLE

• Experience working in‑house, particularly within a media, technology or creative organisation.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.

At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world's best loved content, and the BBC's mission to inform, educate and entertain.

Here you will benefit from: Fair pay and flexible benefits including a competitive salary package, a flexible 35‑hour working week, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym. Excellent career and professional development. Support in your working life, including flexible working which you can discuss with us at any point during the application, selection or offer. A values‑based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.

You belong. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.

We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we'd be happy to discuss: reasonable.adjustments@bbc.co.uk