At a Glance
- Tasks: Protect iconic brands like Andrex and Kleenex while driving innovation in IP law.
- Company: Join Kimberly-Clark, a leader in consumer goods with a purpose-driven culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work schedules, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid work model available; be part of a top workplace for working mothers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global brands and enhance your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 6-10 years in intellectual property law and brand protection.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Join the team behind iconic brands like Andrex, Kleenex and Kimberly-Clark Professional. At Kimberly-Clark, it’s all here for you—innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact. You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU.
About You
In one of our professional roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center. As Intellectual Property (IP) Counsel for our International Family and Professional Care (IFP) business, you will act as a senior subject‑matter specialist for intellectual property matters, with primary responsibility for trademarks and brand protection and advanced involvement in patent‑related and innovation‑driven IP issues. You will partner closely with Marketing, Innovation, Supply Chain and Procurement teams to ensure IFP’s brands, innovations and IP assets are protected, leveraged and used effectively in line with business strategy and company policies. You will report directly to the Corporate General Counsel IFP and will be an individual contributor (no direct reports).
Location: we can offer a hybrid model (on remote / Walton Oaks Office) for candidates already based in the UK.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the primary IP advisor for IFP trademark matters, owning day‑to‑day trademark 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, Research & Development (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.
To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:
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 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.
Total Benefits
We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we're committed to providing them with the resources they need to be successful. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a company that cares about its employees, then Kimberly-Clark is the place for you. We offer competitive pay and benefits to employees and reward excellence and performance. Our belief in promoting a healthy work-life balance drives us to support our employees’ total well-being, offering comprehensive benefits not limited to gym memberships, private medical insurance, dental cover, employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme, critical illness cover, travel insurance and a market leading defined contribution pension scheme. Certain benefits, such as flexible work schedules and parental leave, can be tailored to meet specific individual needs, giving our employees the flexibility to manage their commitments inside and outside of work. We are proud to be rated as a top 100 workplace for working mothers for two years in a row.
This role will be part of Kimberly Clark's International Family Care and Professional (IFP) business—an organization rooted in purpose and innovation that has built a legacy with global impact.
Intellectual Property Counsel in Tadworth employer: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
At Kimberly-Clark, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and personal growth. Our hybrid work model allows for flexibility, while our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and a market-leading pension scheme. Join us in making a meaningful impact with iconic brands like Andrex and Kleenex, all within a supportive culture that values safety, respect, and the drive to create Better Care for a Better World.
Contact Details:
Kimberly-Clark Corporation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Intellectual Property Counsel in Tadworth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their brands and how your skills can contribute to their mission of 'Better Care for a Better World'. Tailor your responses to show you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Intellectual Property Counsel in Tadworth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in intellectual property law, especially in trademarks and brand protection. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of creating Better Care for a Better World.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us about your real-world experiences. Share specific examples of how you've tackled IP issues or worked with cross-functional teams. This helps us understand how you can contribute to our iconic brands.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language that reflects your understanding of the role and the responsibilities involved. We appreciate clarity as much as we value expertise!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
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 trademarks and brand protection. Be ready to discuss specific cases or examples from your experience that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with Kimberly-Clark's brands and their market positioning. Show how your legal skills can align with their business strategy and contribute to their mission of 'Better Care for a Better World'.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific IP challenges, like trademark enforcement or patent-related issues. Think through your approach and be ready to explain your reasoning clearly.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since this role involves collaboration with various teams, practice your communication skills. Be personable and show that you can build trusted partnerships across different departments, as this will be key in your role.
