Senior Counsel, R&D

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!

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?

The Senior Counsel, R&D is responsible for the provision of proactive and business relevant legal counselling of a high standard to the Product R&D functions, including New Categories R&D and Combustibles R&D (CPT).

The role will provide advice and support on all legal issues and regulatory considerations pertaining to the Group’s Product Innovation strategy and planning. The role requires to be familiar with Marketing‘s product development strategy and pipeline, and to work closely with Central Legal functions, including Marketing Legal, Science & Research Legal and Regulation, as well as with Central Product Compliance.

What is the impact of this role on the team or organization?

This role will partner with R&D to provide legal and regulatory counselling across all development stages of the innovation cycle for both New Category products and Combustibles, including providing review and signoff for R&D Legal as part of the Company’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) processes, and also to provide input to Ready-for-Regulation (R4R) developments.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide all aspects of legal support and regulatory advice to the R&D functions globally, ensuring that the characteristics and requirements of the focus products are taken into consideration.
• Draft contracts to support R&D related activities in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Identify priorities and compliance procedures for the business to ensure an internal environment in which the business understands and meets its legal obligations.
• Develop and coordinate training for the R&D function on key legal and regulatory issues of relevance.
• Identify and mitigate the risk in proposed and operational R&D activities including intellectual property, data protection, consumer protection, competition and compliance risks.
• Undertake a review of the regulatory approaches in other sectors, identifying alignments and trends.
• Support and counsel in identifying and mitigating future regulatory risks.
• Participate in PLM governance forums
• Develop and maintain an understanding of emerging issues for BAT’s products
• Lead and run a performing team ensuring development of people with succession plans
• Manage external counsel in delivering efficient and targeted work product.

What are we looking for

• Proven experience with delivering strategic legal advice relating to sophisticated product regulatory matters, offering proactive and business solutions.
• Hands-on and flexible attitude, sound commercial judgement to work under pressure.
• Ability to take care of a considerable volume and variety of global legal and commercial issues of varying complexity.
• Strong negotiation and project management skills, to plan, anticipate and run priorities to optimise output and improve the efficiency of commercial solutions throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Strong contract drafting skills.
• Adaptable: open to change in response to new information, different or unexpected circumstances, and/or ability to work in ambiguous situations.

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required

• Familiar with relevant aspects of product laws and regulation, with corporate governance and compliance areas
• Provide creative solutions to business challenges whilst ensuring that legal and reputational risk is kept to an acceptable level
• Proven experience of working at senior levels internally and externally.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with business and team members.
• Excellent communication skills – written, spoken, listening with ability to explain and interpret sophisticated legal issues clearly, mindful of audience.
• Must be proactive, proficient of making decisions in a constantly evolving environment.

Education / Qualifications / Certifications Required

• Qualified lawyer (with 7+ PQE years or equivalent) with experience in commercial and/or regulatory law which they will have acquired a high level of drafting and general legal technical skills as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven experience in private legal practice as well as in an in-house business environment

Beneficial

Experience with product innovation gained in international FMCG 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.

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.