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 utilise 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.

In the UK, Publicis Groupe includes world‑renowned agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett, Publicis Sapient, Zenith, Starcom, Publicis Health, and Epsilon amongst others. 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.

Job Description

An opportunity has arisen for a Legal Counsel to join the Commercial Legal team at Publicis Re:Sources on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract (maternity cover). 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.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Publicis Groupe’s UK creative, production, influence and media agencies on all commercial legal aspects of their business, including conducting legal clearance, advising on advertising compliance issues and negotiating marketing services contracts;
• Draft, revise and negotiate services agreements and other commercial contracts with clients and vendors (such as master service agreements, statements of work, event agreements, licences and rights assignments);
• Coordinate, manage and draft legal response to new clients’ pitch proposals and RFPs;
• Assist the agencies in negotiating key talent agreements, production agreements, music licences and advising on rights clearance matters;
• Advise on contract and regulatory compliance matters, including data privacy, advertising clearance and compliance, IP matters and software licensing;
• Support the agencies in relation to disputes and litigation resolution, providing internal reports and managing outside counsel where used;
• Support in the coordination and management of multi‑market agreements, including client master service agreements and call‑off agreements;
• Keep up to date and ensure awareness of current issues affecting the creative, production and media industries and their implications on client contract negotiations and agency service offerings, including around AI;
• Support in developing legal precedents, best practices and processes, to include partnering with the agencies to maintain business/legal engagement models;
• Flexibility and willingness to take on work from other business areas of Publicis Groupe to ensure that members of the Legal team can manage the overall workload efficiently and that they have an understanding of the business as a whole;
• Assist in training agencies as well as members of the legal team on commercial legal considerations in the creative and production agency space and related approaches;
• Actively develop and maintain strong working relationships with the business teams and foster a culture of excellent client service within Publicis Re:Sources, the agencies and across Publicis Groupe as a whole;
• Partner with colleagues to ensure a consistent approach and standards across the lawyers supporting the UK agencies;
• Work collaboratively with members of the UK and global legal team to share knowledge and maintain highest legal standards.

Qualifications

Experience/Qualifications/Certifications

• Qualified Solicitor (or equivalent) with solid experience and at least 4 years’ post qualification experience in an in‑house or law firm environment. In‑house experience valued.

Knowledge / Experience

• Experience of conducting advertising clearance, including familiarity with application of the UK Advertising Codes (BCAP/CAP Codes);
• Good knowledge of commercial contract and IP law (particularly copyright and trade marks);
• Experience in drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts;
• Experience of data protection law and compliance;
• Previous legal experience of creative/IP related matters;

Skills (including technology)

• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills, always maintaining pragmatism;
• Strong ability to assess risk, work under pressure, cut through ambiguity and prioritise workload;
• Demonstration of a pragmatic and commercial approach to legal challenges;
• Good research skills;
• Comfortable using and advising on technology.

Attributes/behaviours

• Ability to remain resilient and vigilant in a demanding environment;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Flexible, collaborative and strong team working skills, with willingness to take on a variety of work and manage stakeholder expectations;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with an ability to articulate legal risks and challenges in a clear, understandable and commercial way.

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). 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.