Company Counsel: Publishing Ethics & Rights (Flexible Hours)

Elsevier; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Elsevier is seeking a Company Counsel to report to the General Counsel, Content, and partner with content acquisition teams on publishing ethics, contracts and compliance matters. You will deliver practical legal guidance across risk and business objectives, shaping policies and templates with the Legal Department.

You will work with cross-functional teams to provide timely, clear advice, balance risk with commercial needs and help Elsevier navigate evolving legal and ethical challenges in a

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in UK or another recognised common or civil law jurisdiction.
• Previous experience in a law firm or an in-house legal department.
• Prior publishing or intellectual property experience preferred.
• Sound legal and commercial judgement, with the ability to assess issues, make recommendations and escape with context and proposed solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to calmly and independently prioritize and execute tasks and demonstrate flexibility in a fast-paced environment.
• Team player/ willingness to develop new skills.
• Interest in and openness to developing AI fluency and leveraging technology to enhance legal service delivery.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Requires business-level English.

Responsibilities

• Advising on publishing ethics and research integrity issues, defamation, infringements, contract and other disputes, and related compliance matters.
• Developing and negotiating contracts with rightsholders, including identifying key risks, approval requirements and practical ways forward.
• Supporting content acquisition teams by assessing legal and reputational risks clearly and early, and balancing those risks with commercial needs.
• Developing and maintaining templates, training, processes and policies.
• Communicating advice clearly and professionally, with practical recommendations and realistic timescales.
• Identifying recurring issues and opportunities to improve guidance, standardisation and ways of working.
• Working with Legal Department colleagues and cooperating across cross-functional corporate business units and departments to timely achieve optimal results while minimising risk.

Skills

Legal judgement

Communication

Stakeholder management

AI fluency

Prioritisation

Team player

English (business-level)

Education

Qualified Lawyer in UK or recognised jurisdiction

Job description

Elsevier is seeking a Company Counsel to report to the General Counsel, Content, and partner with content acquisition teams on publishing ethics, contracts and compliance matters. You will deliver practical legal guidance across risk and business objectives, shaping policies and templates with the Legal Department.

You will work with cross-functional teams to provide timely, clear advice, balance risk with commercial needs and help Elsevier navigate evolving legal and ethical challenges in a