Legal Counsel - R&S Commercial and Strategic Collaborations

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. With products like VELO, VUSE and GLO we are on a mission to decrease the health impact of our industry

To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to Be The Change. Come, join us on this journey!

R&S Legal provides support to the activities carried out by the Research and Science (R&S) teams based in Southampton and collaborates with other functions and teams across the business. Legal Counsel, R&S Commercial and Strategic Collaborations is responsible for the provision of proactive, business relevant and strategic legal counselling of a high professional standard pertaining BAT’s Research & Science strategy. The focus is on counselling various teams, including Commercial R&S, Science Discovery and Life Sciences in various matters including, contracts, science and third-party collaborations to ensure requirements are considered and adhered to.

This role will entail working with the R&S Senior Counsel to provide advice and support on all legal issues and regulatory considerations for BAT’s contractual, scientific, commercial and regulatory pipeline. The role is unique in that it allows you to collaborate across various functions within Legal but also with Science, Product Development, Procurement, Company Secretarial and Operations. It also gives the opportunity to learn about the science behind our products and other key areas within the Company. 

Additionally, the regulatory environment is rapidly evolving and we must take a proactive approach to the management of regulation. In this regard, close collaboration with colleagues across various functions is an important part of this role in order to maintain a strong working knowledge of regulatory developments and issues arising in the context of BAT’s products.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Support the R&S Senior Legal Counsel to provide legal support to the Science function and mitigate legal risks in proposed and operational science activities including regulatory, intellectual property, data protection, standards of business conduct, consumer protection, competition and compliance.
• Understand stakeholders’ key demands and perspectives, ensuring good stakeholder engagement and management practice to meet their needs.
• Identify and mitigate legal risk in proposed initiatives, including intellectual property, competition, standards of business conduct and data protection.
• Provide commercially focused advice on key legal and regulatory issues in a straightforward and compelling way directly to stakeholders, enabling the delivery of results whilst managing legal, regulatory, and other risks.
• Proactively counsel and advise on research studies documentation (including study proposals, informed consent forms and other related materials).
• Review of legal, governance and regulatory aspects of BAT’s strategic scientific collaborations.
• Analyse regulatory proposals and legislation, identifying operational impacts on the science and products.
• Develop, organise and support appropriate training on key legal and regulatory issues of relevance.
• Working with various stakeholders, in particular Procurement on contract management and related systems.
• Support the management of legal resources.
• Role model our BAT Values (Truly inclusive, Stronger together, Do the right thing, Love our consumer, Passion to win and Empowered through trust).

What are we looking for?

Experience Required

• Understanding of legal and regulatory issues relating to industry opportunities, threats as well as compliance requirements.
• Experienced in navigating and advising business stakeholders on legal and commercial risks associated with research and science activities from a contractual and regulatory perspective.
• A clear understanding of the risks and regulatory landscape and ability to understand and support strategic objectives and commercial plans.
• Work across a variety of issues demonstrating prioritisation, pragmatic solution-orientated advice and sound commercial judgement whilst ensuring that legal and reputational risk is kept to an acceptable level.
• Ability to work across functions, building consensus and support where necessary.
• Awareness of legal issues relating to, regulatory, intellectual property, data protection, standards of business conduct, consumer protection, competition and compliance to enable potential issues to be identified at an early stage.
• Highly experienced in contract drafting and negotiation. 

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• Hands-on and flexible attitude, sound commercial judgement, and ability to work under pressure and to cope with unexpected and varied demands.
• Excellent communication skills – written, spoken, listening with ability to explain and interpret complex legal issues clearly, mindful of audience.
• Must be proactive, adept at working with priorities and various team on defined timelines.
• Ability to build relationships with stakeholders.

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• Qualified lawyer (with 5-7+ PQE years or equivalent) with experience in commercial, product and regulatory law.
• Proven experience in private legal practice and in-house experience (via secondment or previous placement), and knowledge of product and consumer regulations as well as understanding on science aspects.

Beneficial

• Experience in FMCG, technology, or other highly regulated industries is a plus.

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes

WHY JOIN BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.

We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture.

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experiencehere.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.