Innovation Counsel (IP Law)

The purpose of this role is to deliver specialist intellectual property and commercial legal advice to Group Operations (particularly Procurement and R&D), supporting new product development and innovation, with a strong emphasis on IP ownership and licensing. The role focuses on providing proactive, commercially relevant legal counsel of a high professional standard across a range of agreements, including research and development agreements (RDAs), licensing arrangements, partnering agreements, and manufacturing or supply contracts involving Nicoventures Trading, the Shenzhen Innovations Centre, and other Nicoventures or BAT group entities, as well as intra-group agreements related to product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as commercial counsel, focusing on all aspects of RDAs, third-party procurement, supplier relationships (especially in development projects), and providing strategic input to support New Categories and other R&D business initiatives.
• Structure, negotiate, draft, and advise on execution of transactions including RDAs, project briefs, licensing agreements, partnering agreements and manufacturing or supply agreements.
• Serve as a “Centre of Excellence” on IP contracting within the Ops & Commercial legal team.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks in proposed and operational commercial arrangements, advising on contractual disputes and contract termination.
• Provide guidance on application of Group policies, procedures and governance to proposed and operational third-party and intra-group new categories arrangements involving Nicoventures Trading and other Nicoventures/BAT group entities.
• Advise on the presentation of proposed transactional matters for consideration and approval by the leadership team or other appropriate board or committee.
• Provide strategic advice and commercial counselling directly to New Categories, R&D and Procurement senior managers to support key contractual arrangements in place with suppliers.

Qualifications

• Extensive expertise in IP law, with a strong focus on patents and technology licensing.
• Proven experience advising on complex, high-value R&D agreements, global frameworks, and cross-border transactions.
• Ability to develop commercially sound strategies to protect IP in the context of innovation.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and project management skills across the full contract lifecycle.
• Strong eye for business, balancing legal risk and commercial objectives.
• Effective communicator with high emotional intelligence, able to convey complex legal issues clearly and build trusted relationships.
• Adaptable, hands-on professional with sound judgment, capable of managing competing priorities and identifying broader legal and compliance risks early.

Benefits

• Market-leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility).
• Range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives.
• Access to online learning platforms and personalised growth programs to nurture leadership skills.
• Continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute. We champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values and are committed to ensuring equal opportunity for all. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop an inclusive culture. We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role. Employees who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the criteria for the role, will be given preference over employees who are not at risk of redundancy and external applicants.