Commercial Counsel (Operations)

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: Commercial Counsel (Operations)

FUNCTION: Legal Affairs

SUB FUNCTION: Business Integrity & Compliance

CITY & COUNTRY: London (United Kingdom)

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?  

Provide specialist commercial legal advice and expertise to the Operations Function, in particular Procurement and Finance.

The focus of the role is to provide proactive and business relevant legal counselling of a high professional standard to the Operations function on all aspects of procurement arrangements, including development, services, manufacturing and supply agreements.

• Acting as commercial counsel to the Operations Function, with a focus on all aspects of third-party procurement, supplier relationships, and providing strategic input to support Operations business initiatives.
• Structuring, negotiating, drafting, and advising on execution of procurement transactions including development agreements, services agreements, manufacturing and supply agreements.  
• Identifying and mitigating legal risk in proposed and operational commercial arrangements (including risks relating to intellectual property, data protection, tax, competition and compliance risks), advising on the escalation and resolution of contractual disputes, and about contract termination.
• Providing guidance on application of Group policies, procedures and governance to proposed and operational third party and intra-group arrangements.
• Advising on the presentation of proposed transactional matters for consideration and approval by the appropriate leadership team, board or committee.
• Providing strategic advice and commercial counselling directly to the Operations Function and Procurement senior managers to support the operation of key contractual arrangements in place with suppliers.
• Instructing and managing external legal counsel in relation to complex, high profile and/or strategically important transactions and other advice, reviewing output, and controlling and approving spend.
• Ensuring good information flows between business contacts, Legal Affairs, and other business partners about business initiatives to optimise commercial opportunities and manage risks.
• Supporting other Legal Counsel within Ops & Commercial Legal as and when required. 

ESSENTIAL

Experience Required

• Experience and expertise in commercial law and practice, with a proven track record of advising on complex and high-value global frameworks and cross-border transactions and other operations contractual arrangements.

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• Excellent legal drafting skills with an ability to identify and advise on compliance risk and cross-border issues
• Strong negotiation and project management skills, and ability to plan, anticipate and manage priorities to optimise output and enhance the effectiveness of commercial solutions throughout the contract lifecycle
• Business acumen in order to advise the business on how to deliver results whilst managing legal risk
• Hands-on and flexible attitude, sound commercial judgement, and ability to work under pressure and to cope with unexpected and varied demands
• Good awareness of legal issues relating to intellectual property, competition, employment, tax and compliance (e.g. sanctions, anti-bribery) to enable potential issues to be identified at an early stage of a transaction or initiative, and an understanding of legal duty of care issues in the context of product liability.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trusted and effective relationships with peers and stakeholders
• Ability to express legal issues in a straightforward and compelling way to internal and external stakeholders

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• English qualified lawyer with post qualification experience gained in a large national or international law firm or as in-house counsel for a major multi-national company.  Lawyers qualified in similar common law jurisdictions (e.g. Australia) may be considered.
• Excellent written and spoken English

BELONGING, ACHIEVING, TOGETHER
Collaboration, diversity and teamwork underpin everything we do here at BAT. We know that collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals. Come bring your difference!

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation!

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 experience here.

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.