Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on intellectual property and commercial agreements for innovative projects.
- Company: Join a leading global employer known for collaboration and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive bonus, flexible holidays, and access to personal growth programs.
- Other info: Be part of a transformative culture that values diversity and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in innovation while developing your legal expertise in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong background in IP law and experience with complex R&D agreements required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
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.
Innovation Counsel (IP Law) in London employer: The British American Tobacco Group
Contact Detail:
The British American Tobacco Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Counsel (IP Law) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those who work in IP law or related fields. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio of your past work, especially any complex R&D agreements or licensing deals you've handled. This will help you demonstrate your skills and experience during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers, especially around your approach to mitigating legal risks and negotiating contracts. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Counsel (IP Law) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your IP Expertise: Make sure to highlight your extensive knowledge in IP law, especially around patents and technology licensing. We want to see how your experience aligns with the role's focus on R&D agreements and commercial legal advice.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific responsibilities and qualifications mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role and understand what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise: When drafting your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language to convey your experience and skills. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the point without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and tech-savvy, which we love!
How to prepare for a job interview at The British American Tobacco Group
✨Know Your IP Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of intellectual property law, especially patents and technology licensing. Be prepared to discuss recent developments in the field and how they might impact the role you're applying for.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Since this role involves structuring and negotiating various agreements, come ready with examples of past negotiations you've handled. Highlight your approach to balancing legal risks with commercial objectives, as this will demonstrate your strategic thinking.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to R&D agreements or supplier relationships. Think through how you would identify and mitigate legal risks in these scenarios, and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Effective communication is key in this role, so practice conveying complex legal issues in a straightforward manner. Show your emotional intelligence by engaging with your interviewers, asking insightful questions, and demonstrating your ability to build trusted relationships.