About the role
We have a fabulous opportunity for an experienced and proactive professional to join our team as Intellectual Property Counsel - EMEA . In this key role, you will take operational responsibility for managing the company's intellectual property portfolio across the EMEA region, acting as a vital resource for the business and ensuring the robust protection, prosecution, and commercialisation of our innovations.
The successful candidate will be an advocate for IP excellence, collaborating closely with inventors, R&D teams, commercial leaders, and external IP advisers to deliver a proactive IP strategy. You will provide the essential legal expertise, technical guidance, and operational coordination required to safeguard our patents, designs, trademarks, trade secrets, and domain names across a broad international portfolio, while directly supervising an IP Paralegal.
Reporting to the Chief Counsel, this role offers significant autonomy, exposure to cutting-edge development projects, and the opportunity to help shape the Group's wider IP governance and commercial strategy in a sustainable, innovation-led manufacturing business.
Key responsibilities include:
Portfolio Management: Lead the day-to-day filing, prosecution, and maintenance of EMEA patent, design, trademark, and domain portfolios with external counsel
Invention Capture: Partner with R&D and engineering teams to identify protectable inventions, assess patentability, and support IP evaluation committees
Commercial Contracting: Draft, review, and negotiate IP clauses across R&D collaborations, joint development, licensing, and supplier/customer agreements
Risk & Enforcement: Manage freedom-to-operate reviews, assess infringement risks, and coordinate routine cease-and-desist or domain dispute actions
Governance & Training: Deliver internal training on trade secrets, confidentiality, and invention disclosures while supporting portfolio reviews and budgeting
Team Supervision: Supervise and mentor the IP Paralegal, ensuring efficient workflow allocation and alignment with external advisers
So, if you are a commercially minded IP professional with strong technical curiosity and a commitment to high-standard governance, then we might be looking for you!
About you
Demonstrable relevant IP ...
Intellectual Property Counsel EMEA in East Kilbride employer: DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Engineering Team Leader role at our Featherstone site. Our vibrant work culture fosters continuous improvement and employee development, offering competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for career advancement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Join us to lead a dedicated team, drive engineering excellence, and contribute to a strong health and safety culture while enjoying a supportive and engaging workplace.
Contact Details:
DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED Recruitment Team
