Legal Counsel

Title: Legal Counsel, Innovation

Reports to: Associate General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Job Summary

The Legal Counsel, Innovation will serve as the organisation’s internal intellectual property (IP) subject-matter expert, leading the strategy, governance and continuous improvement of its global intellectual property and innovation programme.

This strategic, business-facing role partners with legal, business, engineering, technology, commercial and corporate development leaders to identify, protect and leverage intellectual assets, manage complex IP risks, support acquisitions and establish practical enterprise-wide standards.

The role oversees external counsel for patent and trademark matters while providing strategic direction across the organisation’s global businesses.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary internal IP expert, providing practical, commercially focused advice on intellectual property, innovation and related risks.
• Develop, implement and continuously improve the global IP strategy, governance framework, policies, controls and operating model.
• Partner with business and technical leaders to identify, capture and strategically manage inventions, patents, trade secrets, software, data, know-how, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual assets.
• Lead invention disclosure, patent mining and portfolio prioritisation, directing external counsel on patent and trademark prosecution, maintenance, enforcement and other IP matters.
• Advise on IP strategy, freedom-to-operate, competitive landscapes, ownership, licensing, third-party technology, open-source software and material infringement matters.
• Provide strategic IP support for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other transactions, including due diligence, risk assessment, transaction terms and post-acquisition integration.
• Advise on and negotiate material IP provisions in customer, supplier, technology, licensing, development, collaboration and other commercial agreements.
• Build IP awareness and capability through practical guidance, education and collaboration with global business and functional teams.
• Identify, communicate and escalate material IP risks and opportunities to legal and business leadership, taking relevant public-company governance requirements into account.
• Manage IP portfolio reporting, budgets, metrics and external counsel relationships to support quality, consistency, cost-effectiveness and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD).
• 12–15 years of progressive legal experience, with significant expertise in intellectual property, innovation and patent strategy, including patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, licensing and technology-related agreements.
• Demonstrated experience building, leading or materially improving an IP programme within a complex global organisation, or advising comparable global clients in private practice.
• Experience in multinational, industrial, engineering, automation or technology environments is preferred.
• Strong experience managing IP portfolios and external counsel, including cross-border matters. Direct patent drafting is not a core requirement.
• Demonstrated experience supporting acquisitions through IP due diligence, transaction documentation, risk assessment and post-close integration, ideally within a frequent or complex acquisition environment.
• Strategic and commercially minded, with strong judgement and the ability to balance legal risk, innovation, speed, cost and business value while translating strategy into practical processes and measurable outcomes.
• Excellent executive communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the technical fluency and credibility to advise senior leaders and collaborate effectively across global, matrixed and decentralised teams.

What the Organisation Offers

• The opportunity to join a global organisation operating at the forefront of advanced engineering and technology solutions.
• Collaboration with talented professionals focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• The chance to make a meaningful impact within the business and wider community.
• A safe, positive and inclusive working environment.
• A competitive compensation and benefits package, including flexible working arrangements where applicable.