Intellectual Property Counsel

Intellectual Property Counsel

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Kimberly-Clark Corporation

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead trademark strategy and brand protection for innovative products.
  • Company: Join Kimberly-Clark, a global leader in consumer goods.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and flexible work schedules.
  • Other info: Collaborate globally and grow your career in a supportive culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on brand strategy and innovation in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 6-10 years in intellectual property law.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Intellectual Property Counsel (IP Counsel) – works within Kimberly‑Clark’s International Family & Professional Care (IFP) business, acting as the senior subject‑matter specialist for intellectual property matters. The role focuses on trademark strategy, brand protection, and advanced involvement in patent‑related and innovation‑driven IP issues.

Location: Hybrid model – remote work from the UK or based at Walton Oaks Office.

Key Responsibilities
  • Act as the primary IP advisor for IFP trademark matters, owning day‑to‑day strategy, portfolio management, clearance, registration, maintenance and lifecycle decision‑making.
  • Provide authoritative guidance to Growth (Marketing and Brand) teams on trademark use, naming, packaging, advertising and brand extensions, balancing legal protection with commercial objectives.
  • Lead and coordinate trademark enforcement and brand protection actions, including counterfeiting, infringement, product diversion and grey‑market matters, working with external counsel, platforms and authorities as required.
  • Serve as the IFP point of contact for patent‑adjacent and innovation‑related IP matters, supporting invention disclosures, freedom‑to‑operate assessments, product launches and IP risk evaluations.
  • Advise on IP provisions in commercial, R&D, licensing, procurement and supply chain agreements, including ownership, licensing, confidentiality and background/foreground IP structures.
  • Proactively identify and manage IP‑related risks across the IFP portfolio, providing clear, risk‑based recommendations to senior business stakeholders.
  • Contribute to cross‑functional and cross‑border IP projects impacting brand strategy, innovation and product development, ensuring alignment with enterprise IP strategy.
  • Act as a go‑to IP specialist within IFP Legal, building trusted partnerships across global and regional Legal, Compliance and business teams.
Required Qualifications
  • Qualified solicitor or equivalent, with approximately 6‑10 years post‑qualification experience in intellectual property law.
  • Substantial experience in trademarks and brand protection, with demonstrable exposure to patent, innovation or technology‑driven IP matters.
  • Experience gained within an international organisation and/or a reputable law firm; FMCG or regulated consumer‑facing experience preferred.
  • Fluency in English.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong commercial mindset with confidence exercising judgement on complex IP risk trade‑offs.
  • Proven ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, global environment with limited supervision.
  • Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder‑management skills across senior business and technical teams.
  • Willingness to travel internationally as required.
Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits, including private medical insurance, dental cover, employee assistance programme, cycle‑to‑work scheme, critical illness cover, travel insurance, and a defined contribution pension scheme. Flexible work schedules and parental leave can be tailored to individual needs.

EEO Statement

We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Intellectual Property Counsel employer: Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Kimberly-Clark is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration within the International Family & Professional Care (IFP) business. With a hybrid working model based in the UK, employees benefit from competitive salaries, comprehensive health coverage, and flexible work schedules tailored to individual needs, all while contributing to meaningful projects that protect and enhance global brands. The company prioritises employee growth through cross-functional collaboration and provides a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Contact Details:

Kimberly-Clark Corporation Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Intellectual Property Counsel

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the IP field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.

Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! Create a personal brand by sharing insights on intellectual property topics through LinkedIn or a blog. This not only showcases your knowledge but also positions you as a thought leader in the field.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s IP strategy. Understand their trademark portfolio and recent innovations. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you’re genuinely interested in their business.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Kimberly-Clark.

We think you need these skills to ace Intellectual Property Counsel

Intellectual Property Law
Trademark Strategy
Brand Protection
Patent Law
Innovation Management
Portfolio Management
Risk Assessment

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Intellectual Property Counsel role. Highlight your experience in trademarks and brand protection, and don’t forget to mention any relevant patent or innovation work you've done. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about IP law and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Be sure to mention specific examples that showcase your expertise in trademark strategy and brand protection.

Showcase Your Communication Skills:As an IP Counsel, you'll need to communicate effectively with various teams. In your application, demonstrate your ability to influence and manage stakeholders. We love seeing candidates who can articulate complex legal concepts in a way that’s easy to understand!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Know Your IP Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your intellectual property knowledge, especially around trademarks and brand protection. Be ready to discuss specific cases or examples from your past experience that highlight your expertise in these areas.

Understand the Business

Get familiar with Kimberly-Clark’s products and their market positioning. Understanding how IP fits into their overall business strategy will help you demonstrate your commercial mindset during the interview.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific IP challenges, like trademark enforcement or patent-related issues. Think through potential scenarios and how you would approach them, balancing legal protection with commercial objectives.

Showcase Your Communication Skills

Since this role involves working with various teams, be prepared to showcase your communication and influencing skills. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams in the past, particularly in a global context.