Director, AGC - Intellectual Property

Signet Jewelers Limited; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Signet Jewelers seeks an experienced attorney to lead its intellectual property matters as Director and Assistant General Counsel. The role focuses on trademark and copyright strategy while advising on commercial, marketing, licensing, and other matters.

The ideal candidate will be strategic, collaborative, and able to balance legal risk with business objectives, working with business leaders across the company in a fast-paced retail environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor required.
• Licensed to practice in Ohio or another state, with ability to become Ohio licensed.
• 7+ years of experience; in-house experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage Signet’s intellectual property portfolios including trademarks, copyrights, and patents.
• Develop and execute IP strategies across Signet and its brands.
• Lead trademark clearance and searches and assess risks.
• Manage outside counsel on IP enforcement and litigation matters.
• Provide strategic legal advice on IP, advertising, marketing, licensing, and related commercial matters.
• Draft and negotiate licensing, sponsorship, and IP-related agreements.
• Oversee IP legal budget and efficiency, allocating resources appropriately.
• Create processes and tools to help business teams identify and protect IP assets.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and business leaders on pragmatic legal counsel.

Skills

Intellectual property

Trademark law

Contract negotiation

In-house experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Juris Doctor

Job description

Signet Jewelers is the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry, operating more than 2,800 stores worldwide under the iconic brands: Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, H.Samuel, Ernest Jones, Peoples, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Rocksbox, JamesAllen.com and Diamonds Direct. We are a people-first company and this core value is at the heart of everything we do, from empowering our valued team members, to collaborating with our customers, to fostering the communities in which we live and serve. People – and the love their actions inspire – are what drive us. We’re not only proud of the love we inspire outside our walls, we’re especially proud of the diversity, inclusion and equity we’re inspiring inside. There are dynamic career paths awaiting you – rewarding opportunities to impact the lives of others and inspire love. Join us!

Signet Jewelers is seeking an experienced attorney to join its Legal team as Director and Assistant General Counsel. This role will serve as the Company’s lead attorney for intellectual property matters and will be responsible for developing and executing intellectual property strategy across Signet and its brands, with a primary focus on trademark and copyright. The attorney will also provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on a range of commercial, marketing, licensing, and other matters.

The successful candidate will be a strategic and collaborative legal advisor who can work independently, effectively partner with business leaders, and provide clear, practical guidance that appropriately balances legal risk with business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain Signet’s intellectual property portfolios, including trademark, copyright, patent, and other intellectual property assets.
• Develop, enhance, and execute intellectual property strategies for Signet and its brands, including protection, registration, maintenance, enforcement, and optimization of intellectual property assets.
• Conduct and oversee trademark clearance and searches and provide practical advice regarding trademark availability and associated risks.
• Lead and manage outside counsel in intellectual property enforcement efforts, including trademark, copyright, domain name, and other infringement matters.
• Manage intellectual property litigation matters by working with outside counsel on case management and strategy, while coordinating with Signet business teams.
• Provide strategic legal advice and counseling regarding intellectual property, advertising, marketing, social media, promotions, licensing, and other commercial matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate licensing, sponsorship, marketing, intellectual property, and other commercial agreements.
• Manage outside counsel and the intellectual property legal budget, with a focus on quality, efficiency, and appropriate allocation of resources.
• Develop practical processes, tools, resources, training, and guidance to help business teams identify, protect, and appropriately use intellectual property.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with business leaders and cross-functional teams and provide practical, solutions-oriented legal counsel.
• Support other Legal team priorities and provide advice on additional matters as business needs require.

Qualifications

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree & Juris Doctor degree. Licensure to practice law in Ohio or at least one other state, with an ability to become licensed in Ohio, is required. Experience working as in-house counsel is preferred but not required.

Required Job-Related Experience: 7+ years’ experience