Hybrid Legal Director – Commercial, IP

at Rentokil Initial

• Job title: Legal Director – Commercial, IP
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Postgraduate Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Crawley, United Kingdom

About the role

• Legal Director providing strategic support to Group Marketing & Innovation and Group IT functions. Managing IP portfolio and legal counsel in Crawley, UK.

Responsibilities

• To be a trusted advisor and legal business partner, including strategic support, to key stakeholders across the Group Marketing & Innovation and Group IT functions.
• 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.
• Operating as Legal Business Partner to the Group Marketing & Innovation function.
• Advisor to the M&I Leadership Team, providing legal advice and maintaining key awareness of marketing and innovation pipelines.
• Supporting Category Marketing and Brand teams regarding new, existing, and legacy global, regional and national brands, products, and services.
• Providing legal support to the Project Management Office at each relevant stage of the Product Development Gate Stage Process and New Supplier Process.
• Providing advice to the Digital Marketing team regarding domain registrations, transfers, infringements, and content regulation.
• Supporting the Regulatory function with new and existing product and service 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.
• Maintain/develop GenAI & AI policy and attend Group AI Board.
• Leading legal department advisory strategy on AI use & AIaaS contracting.
• Management of the RI Group Global IP Portfolio.
• Overseeing the provision of IP advice to the Group Legal team and business colleagues.
• Responsible for expert advice on the defence of RI’s IP assets.
• 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 health and safety risk management priorities.
• Provision of guidance for product technical issues, working with regulatory, health and safety, and technical teams.

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 ([email protected]) 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.