Legal Counsel

The Role reports to the Head of Legal, ESA cluster to ensure proactive timely delivery of legal counselling to BAT’s operations within the ESA cluster and to successfully implement and execute the Legal Functional strategy and objectives. To take responsibility in advising BAT entities in ESA on all legal matters pertaining to Commercial and Operational sides of the business while representing the Legal department on the Functional Leadership Teams.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Operational/Professional/Business

• Contribute to the development and execution of the Legal functional strategy.
• Monitor and interpret the ESA cluster legislative environment in which the business operates, to ensure that the business understands and meets its legal obligations.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of regulatory issues and the regulatory framework in which the business operates and take responsibility for the development of informed solutions enabling the business to respond to and deal with regulatory constraints.
• Management
• Participate and contribute to cross functional business projects and initiatives to assess, monitor and anticipate potential threats to minimize legal risks and ensure achievement of business objectives.
• Draft, negotiate and review contractual documentation and develop as appropriate standard formats to optimise efficiencies within the Legal sub-function.
• Execute relevant administrative activities in the Function to ensure the availability of resources, continuous flow of information and updated records.
• Ensure an improved control environment in Legal in line with the business strategy.
• Effectively communicate across functions and within the department to keep all stakeholders informed and to find solutions for problems of mutual interest.

Leadership Capabilities

• Support, implement and achieve the strategic plans and objectives of the Legal sub-function in line with the business strategy.
• Powerful and effective communication to the business on the relevance and strategic business importance of the area of responsibility of this role.
• Identify new initiatives and proposals in line with the business strategy and values to ensure legal operates at the heart of the business and as effective risk managers and business partners.
• Continuously develop technical and managerial skills as identified and agreed in personal development plan.
• Build and maintain good relationships with experts in the legal field.
• Map out internal and external stakeholders pertinent to areas of responsibility and build those relationships to optimise effectiveness of legal actions.
• Continually optimise and build improved systems and work process to drive efficiency and reduce costs.

What are we looking for?

• A recognized legal qualification through a reputable academic institution and competence in providing legal advice to internal stakeholders.
• At least 3-4 years’ experience in a private legal practice and 2-4 years’ experience in a corporate environment.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment
• Thorough knowledge of local substantive and procedural laws relevant to areas of responsibility e.g. Commercial Law, labour laws, land laws, factory/manufacturing regulations, EHS legislation, etc.
• Strong negotiation, written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to apply strong strategic, analytical skills and good judgment.
• Ability to act on his or her own initiative, lead others and work well with peers and senior management.