Area Legal Counsel - Western Europe

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World.
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

JOB TITLE: Area Legal Counsel - Western Europe

FUNCTION: Legal Affairs

SUB FUNCTION:  Legal Affairs – Legal Counselling

CITY & COUNTRY: Chiswick (UK)

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?  

The role of Area Counsel, Marketing, Compliance and Corporate Functions, Western Europe is expected to advise on legal matters with multi-jurisdictional impact across Western Europe, and contribute as a Business Partner to Area Functions, to the strategic development and implementation of sustainable and integrated business strategies and plans, aligned to BAT’s objectives and therefore to those of its shareholders. The role is also expected counsel the Area Compliance and Legal Operations team, to ensure necessary legal advice is provided to the business in connection with the work of this team.

The Area Counsel, Marketing Compliance and Corporate Functions are expected to proactively provide the business with quality commercial and legal advice, guidance, leadership and support; consistently manage and ensure that commercial issues are addressed and legal risks are minimised; ensuring legislative and internal standards and principles compliance; provide legislative guidance and support to the company’s regulatory efforts; identify and develop strategic issues and initiatives, and actively participate in problem-solving and decision-making in all areas of the business, enabling the Western Europe Area to achieve its strategic and company plan objectives.

• Support the Area Senior Counsel, Marketing Compliance and Corporate Functions in the strategic leadership of all Legal and Compliance matters with multi-jurisdictional impact across Western Europe – providing leadership on and delivery related to legal, compliance, governance, employment, litigious (including commercial contract, regulatory litigation and tax disputes), corporate, commercial / contracts, intellectual property, competition law and marketing legal matters.                                                                                     
• Business Partner to Area Functional Teams (Marketing, Finance, CORA, Operations, IDT and HR) required enable global Legal and Business Integrity & Compliance strategies to deliver the commercial and growth objectives of the Western Europe Area, whilst ensuring delivery with integrity.                                                              
• Provide all advice necessary to manage legal risk with multi-jurisdictional impact across Western Europe, to ensure compliance with all applicable regulation and BAT policies and procedures, ensuring that decisions are taken in accordance with the Group's policies and guidelines, and that all appropriate Legal and reputational considerations and options are factored in.
• Enable the effective deployment of Global, Regional and Area Legal strategies across the Western Europe Area, including effective management of law firms and other 3rd party suppliers.
• Engage End Market/ Cluster Legal Teams to ensure operational efficiency in the delivery of legal advice across the Western Europe Area, and to support delivery against local leadership accountabilities.
• Contribute to the realisation of the company’s vision and strategies.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve efficiencies and ways of working and propose innovative solutions to address the same. Support the effective management of all compliance risks (competition law, anti-bribery, GDPR etc.) and embed the Group’s compliance strategy including policies and procedures, processes, risk assessment, monitoring, training, and communication  arising in connection with the activities of the Area Functional Teams, and provide the necessary legal counselling to support the Area Compliance and Legal Operations Team in ensuring the effective and efficient management of Compliance activities across the Western Europe Area.
• Protect the commercial interests and corporate reputation of the business to ensure sustainability.
• Support the effective management of commercial and strategic litigation in collaboration with the central litigation team and eliminate or minimise potentially significant financial and reputational consequences.  
• Provide strategic counselling to the business regarding marketing activities and general corporate and commercial matters such as commercial agreements, trading and distribution agreements, services agreements etc.
• Provide strategic counselling to the business on general product compliance and other regulatory matters.
• Build multi-functional relationships, creating an environment where information and resources are shared in pursuit of our business objectives.
• Contribute to the oversight and development of more junior members of the team (where applicable).

ESSENTIAL

Experience Required

• Qualified lawyer with 4+ years’ experience in commercial and corporate practice (either in-house or in private practice), with a proven track record of advising on legal and regulatory matters.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, and ability to plan, anticipate and manage priorities to optimise output and enhance the effectiveness of commercial solutions.
• Ability to influence and foster buy-in from people at senior management levels and across peers and juniors.
• Highly articulate confident individual with excellent written communication, presentational and drafting skills.
• Capable of communicating fluently in written and spoken English.
• Hands-on, adaptable and pro-active attitude, sound commercial judgement and ability to work under pressure and to cope with unexpected and varied demands.
• Experience working with legal regulatory frameworks is strongly preferred e.g., within Tobacco, Food, Pharma or FMCG.

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• Thinks strategically and acts commercially.
• Helps by shaping and executing strategy.
• Learns quickly and is agile.
• Collaborative and influences.
• Focuses on creative innovations in the provision of legal services.

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• Qualified lawyer (European jurisdiction preferred or demonstrated experience of counselling European markets).
• Experience in counselling clients or businesses on a wide range of general commercial issues, preferably in a regulated industry.

BENEFICIAL

• Experience working with legal regulatory frameworks is strongly preferred e.g., within Tobacco, Food, Pharma or FMCG.
• Experience working in a multinational company/ international environment.

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.

Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of 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, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals.

We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an 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 experience here.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.