Legal Director - Commercial and IP

Rentokil Initial Careers; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global company is seeking a Legal Business Partner to support their Marketing & Innovation and IT functions. This role requires expertise in legal advisory, intellectual property management, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in a similar position and will provide strategic support across various business areas. The position offers competitive salary, hybrid working options, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary and bonus scheme

25 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Healthcare

Free parking

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years PQE, preferably in a commercial law context.
• Experience in advising on product development and regulatory matters.
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills across seniority levels.

Responsibilities

• Act as Legal Business Partner to Group Marketing & Innovation function.
• Provide legal support for Global AI initiatives.
• Manage the RI Group Global IP Portfolio and oversee external IP counsel.

Skills

Legal advisory

Intellectual property management

Regulatory compliance

AI policy development

Strong communication skills

Education

Degree in Law (England and Wales)

Job description

Role Summary

To be a trusted advisor and legal business partner, including strategic support, to key stakeholders across the Group Marketing & Innovation and Group IT functions, with responsibility for:

• Provision and management of support for the Group Marketing & Innovation function.
• Provision and management of support for the Group IT function.
• Management of the Group IP Portfolio.
• Provision of Global Legal Support for Group Technical Function, including AI and IT infrastructure support.
• Provision of relevant legislative and regulatory advice on the above responsibilities.
• Management of Legal Counsel.

Responsibilities

Operating as Legal Business Partner to the Group Marketing & Innovation function:

• Advisor to the M&I Leadership Team, attending meetings in order to provide legal advice and maintain key awareness of marketing and innovation pipelines.
• Managing and providing timely, competent provision of legal advice to the function, including:
• Supporting the Category Marketing and Brand teams, in relation to new, existing and legacy global, regional and national brands, products and services.
• Providing legal support to the Project Management Office, including at each relevant stage of the Product Development Gate Stage Process and New Supplier Process.
• Providing advice to the Digital Marketing team, primarily relating to domain registrations, transfers, infringements and content regulation.
• Supporting the Regulatory function with new and existing product and services regulatory requirements, including third party agreements, material transfers, regulatory applications, responses to regulators and investigations.
• Responsible for the provision of expert legal advice to the Digital Innovation team, including connected products and related privacy and other legal & regulatory requirements.
• Manage or oversee the management of external IP counsel.

Providing expert legal support to Group IT function, including:

• Global AI support.
• Provide leadership for the Legal & Governance elements of the RI Group AI Blueprint, including provision of legal advice on AI regulation globally.
• Maintain / develop GenAI & AI policy and attending Group AI Board.
• Leading the legal department advisory strategy on AI use & AIaaS contracting, sharing knowledge with Legal colleagues and drafting advisory notes / playbooks.

Management of the RI Group Global IP Portfolio:

• Overseeing the provision of IP advice to the Group Legal team and business colleagues.
• Responsible for the delivery of expert advice on the defence of RI's IP assets, including against any claims, acting commercially to protect our brand and leverage our IP portfolio.
• Ensuring transition of all acquired IP into standard management processes.
• Managing the IP budget and external IP advisers.

Provisions of Expert Legal Advice to Group Technical Function:

• Drafting and management of templates for new and existing products and services, with the key priority of managing health and safety risks.
• Provision of guidance for product technical issues, working with regulatory, health and safety and technical teams to determine and execute appropriate responses.

Requirements

• Degree or equivalent from accredited institution; qualified and licensed to practice law in England and Wales, likely to have a minimum of 10+ years PQE.
• Experienced commercial lawyer with significant progressive and relevant law firm and/or legal department managerial experience.
• Experience in advising on product development (regulated and retail devices), including regulatory advice and considerations.
• Experience in managing intellectual property assets (international trademarks and patents), including applications, registration, renewals and defence.
• Experience in advising on enterprise level IT and infrastructure matters.
• Experience in developing and administering AI related policies and security considerations around the same.
• Demonstrated in-house experience advising and providing practical solutions to the management of commercial enterprise, procurement and consumer contracts.
• Demonstrated leadership credibility and strong interpersonal and communication skills across international markets and at all levels of seniority.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• Hybrid working
• Rentokil Initial Reward Scheme
• 25 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in service benefit
• Healthcare
• Free parking

At Rentokil Initial, our customers and colleagues represent diverse backgrounds and experiences. We take pride in being an equal opportunity employer, actively encouraging applications from individuals from all walks of life. Our belief is that everyone irrespective of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs, has the potential to thrive and contribute.

We embrace the differences that make each of our colleagues unique, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can be their authentic selves and feel a sense of belonging. To ensure that your journey with us is accessible if you have any individual requirements we invite you to communicate any specific needs or preferences you may have during any stage of the recruitment process. Our team is available to support you; feel free to reach out to [e-mail] if you need anything.

Be Yourself in Your Application! At Rentokil Initial, we value innovation, but we want to see the real you! While AI can help with structure and grammar, make sure your application shows your true passion and understanding of the role. A personal touch will help you stand out.