Intellectual Property Counsel in Reigate

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.

We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, 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.