Senior Legal Counsel – Global Marketing & Licensing in Kingston upon Thames

Company Overview

Build your career at Sazerac! With almost 400 years of rich history, Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent, American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since the 2000s, Sazerac has averaged double digit growth every year! Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world, including Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, Traveller, and Sazerac Rye. Additionally, Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits, including Fireball, Svedka, Wheatley, BuzzBallz, Southern Comfort, Seagram’s V.O., Myers’s, Goldschläger, Parrot Bay, 99 Brand, and Platinum Vodka.

Location: Kingston Upon Thames, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid working model)

Job Description / Responsibilities

The Senior Legal Counsel – Global Marketing & Licensing will serve as a trusted strategic advisor to Sazerac’s global marketing organization, supporting the continued expansion of its premium brand portfolio across Europe, Asia, and other key international markets. This role will lead legal strategy for global marketing, licensing, and digital initiatives, partnering closely with marketing, PR, sponsorship, e-commerce, and brand teams to enable innovative, high-impact campaigns while managing legal and commercial risk across multiple jurisdictions. Operating at the intersection of brand growth, consumer engagement, and regulatory compliance, this individual will play a critical role in shaping how Sazerac activates its brands globally in a compliant, commercially sound, and forward-looking way.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead legal strategy and risk assessment for global marketing campaigns, promotions, sponsorships, and brand activations across multi-jurisdictional environments (UK, EU, APAC).
• Structure, draft, and negotiate complex marketing, licensing, sponsorship, and partnership agreements, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives.
• Act as a key advisor to marketing and PR teams on brand communications, media engagement, and public-facing initiatives.
• Drive legal support for digital marketing and e-commerce initiatives, including privacy (GDPR and global equivalents), direct-to-consumer models, and evolving digital advertising regulations.
• Partner cross-functionally to develop scalable legal frameworks, templates, and playbooks to support consistent and efficient global execution.
• Monitor and interpret evolving global advertising, consumer protection, and privacy regulations, translating requirements into practical, business-focused guidance.
• Deliver training and guidance to internal stakeholders to elevate legal awareness and enable faster, more confident decision-making.
• Collaborate with external counsel to support local compliance and ensure alignment across priority markets.

Qualifications / Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Qualified attorney admitted in a relevant jurisdiction (UK, EU, or equivalent), with 5+ years post-qualification experience, including meaningful in-house experience.
• Extensive experience drafting and negotiating marketing, advertising, sponsorship, licensing, and commercial agreements.
• Strong working knowledge of privacy laws (GDPR) and consumer protection regulations, including experience supporting digital and e-commerce initiatives.
• Experience operating in multi-jurisdictional or international environments.
• Strong commercial judgment with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives in fast-paced environments.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in consumer goods, alcohol/beverage, or other regulated industries.
• Exposure to global brand or marketing organizations supporting premium or consumer-facing products.