Senior Legal Counsel

Company Description

Publicis Groupe is one of the largest advertising agency holding companies in the world, as well as a global leader in the fields of marketing, communications, and digital transformation. Driven by data, cutting‑edge technology, and creativity, our solutions enable brands to provide customers with tailored experiences on a large scale. We use the Power of One operating model to integrate and develop competencies that will create increasing business value for existing and future clients. We are present in more than 100 countries and employ in excess of 90,000 professionals.

Publicis Re:Sources is the backbone of Publicis Groupe. We are Publicis Groupe's Shared Services Platform. Formed in 1998, Publicis Re:Sources was created to streamline centralised functions of Publicis Groupe agencies. We have now grown to 5,000+ professionals operating 40 shared service centres (SSCs) and servicing a network of prestigious agencies across the globe supporting 63 markets. We provide technology solutions and business services including finance, accounting, information technology, global security, legal, payroll and benefits, procurement, tax, real estate, treasury and risk management to help Publicis Groupe agencies do what they do best: create and innovate for their clients.

Overview

An opportunity has arisen for a Senior Legal Counsel to join the Commercial Legal team at Publicis Re:Sources. The role involves providing support to the Publicis Groupe agencies to ensure legal and regulatory compliance and to manage key legal risks. This role will be based in our London office. Please only apply if you have the right to work in UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise Publicis Media agencies in the UK on all commercial legal aspects of their business, with a strong focus on media planning & buying services (traditional and digital advertising) for global clients managed from the UK, as well as other media related service offerings including data and technology, partnerships, content clearance, influencer agreements and affiliate marketing.
• Draft, review, and negotiate media service agreements and other commercial contracts with clients, vendors and third‑party suppliers.
• Lead the legal response to new business pitches, including coordination, drafting and negotiation of contractual documentation.
• Coordinate, manage and provide legal support for multi‑market agreements, including client master service agreements and global agreements with media owners.
• Provide strategic guidance to business stakeholders on risks and challenges and collaborate on practical solutions.
• Develop legal precedents, best practices and processes, work closely with media agencies to ensure compliance with client agreements, and with members of legal teams in other markets to advocate a consistent global approach.
• Lead and support team initiatives to help improve ways of working, efficiency and the value of the Legal team to the business.
• Keep up to date and ensure awareness of current issues affecting the media and marketing industry and their implications on client contract negotiations, including industry‑specific areas that relate to certain Publicis clients (e.g. pharmaceutical gambling, HFSS).
• Maintain a strong understanding of the main principles of GDPR, provide related data protection advice, and review and negotiate data protection agreements.
• Deliver training to business stakeholders to ensure understanding of key legal risks, best practices and contractual obligations.
• Advise the agencies in relation to disputes and litigation resolution, providing internal reports and overseeing outside counsel where required.
• Train members of the Legal team on commercial legal considerations in the media agency space and related approaches, including sharing UK approaches and knowledge with members of legal teams in other jurisdictions.
• Actively develop and maintain strong working relationships with the media agency teams and foster a culture of excellent client service within Publicis Re:Sources, the agencies and across Publicis Groupe as a whole.
• Work collaboratively with the UK Legal team, and members of the Legal team in other markets to share knowledge, promote consistency and uphold high professional standards.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (or equivalent) with solid experience and at least 5 years’ experience in an in‑house or law firm environment. In‑house experience.
• Excellent knowledge of commercial contract.
• Extensive experience of large complex commercial contract drafting and negotiation.
• Previous experience of negotiations in a competitive/pitch environment preferred.
• Previous experience of media planning and buying helpful.

Skills (including Technology)

• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, combined with a pragmatic, solutions‑oriented approach.
• Strong ability to assess risk, work under pressure, juggle and prioritise numerous matters, and work at speed without compromising quality.
• Ability to cut through complex issues quickly and provide clear, commercially‑focused advice.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Very comfortable using and advising on technology, including AI.

Attributes/behaviours

• Flexible, collaborative and strong team working.
• Effective and proven abilities to build client relationships and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Ability to remain resilient and vigilant in a demanding environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with an ability to articulate legal risks and challenges in a clear, understandable and commercial way.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Additional Information

We offer a hybrid working pattern of 3 days in the office and 2 days WFH. Our main office is located in the iconic Television Centre (TVC) at White City, London. We are a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to providing a fair assessment process and are happy to discuss and explore reasonable adjustments during the hiring process. Publicis Groupe UK fosters an inclusive environment through our inspirational Employee Action Groups (EAGs).

Benefits

We have a comprehensive benefits offering. Our full health and lifestyle benefits package will be shared with you, when you join us. In addition to key benefits like Pension, Life Assurance, Income Protection and Private Medical, some of our other benefits are:

• Annual Leave (25 days plus 8 bank holidays), increasing after 5 years, by 1 day per additional service up to 30 days.
• Birthday Day Off that can be used in your birthday month and the opportunity to Buy or Sell Holiday at the start on each year.
• Flexible Bank Holidays, you can switch the 2 Easter bank holidays for other days of your choosing.
• Reflection Days for time away from work to focus on what works best for you.
• Work your World, after completion of one year, you have the opportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis Groupe office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
• Help@Hand, our lifestyle and wellbeing app that supports you and your family; 24/7 Helpline, Remote GPs, Medical or 2nd Opinion, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Physiotherapy, 1-2-1 Lifestyle Coaching, Nutritional Consultations, Savings & Discounts and lots more.
• Inclusive Policies to support you and your family including enhanced Family Leave, Disability, Carers, Transitioning at Work, Flexible Working, Menopause.
• Local discounts, restaurants & retailers in Westfield White City.
• Onsite Café with complimentary breakfast, a subsidised lunch menu, and an in‑house barista.