SENIOR IP COUNSEL – BRAND PROTECTION & ENFORCEMENT – PERMANENT ROLE – LONDON

SENIOR IP COUNSEL, C. 10+ YRS PQE
BRAND PROTECTION & ENFORCEMENT 
LONDON 

Exceptional brands deserve exceptional protection.

We're working with an internationally recognised, design-led consumer business whose products are loved around the world. As the business continues its impressive global growth, it is looking to appoint an outstanding senior IP Counsel to play a central role in protecting one of its most valuable commercial assets—its intellectual property.
Reporting to the global Head of IP, you'll implement the company's enforecement and brand protection strategy across the UK, EU and ROW (excluding APAC) while managing a team of four IP professionals.

This is far more than a trade mark portfolio role. If you're passionate about enforceent and contentious strategy, anti-counterfeiting and brand protection, this is a rare opportunity to help shape global enforcement strategy within an innovative international business.

The Opportunity
You'll take ownership of the company's contentious IP programme across multiple jurisdictions, partnering with senior stakeholders across Legal, Commercial, Marketing and Operations. You'll be trusted to design strategy, lead complex enforcement programmes and influence business decisions.

Key Responsibilities
Brand Protection & Enforcement
Design and deliver the global enforcement strategy across the UK, Europe and ROW.
Lead complex multi-jurisdictional IP disputes and litigation strategy.
Drive administrative, civil and online enforcement programmes.
Develop innovative approaches to protecting a globally recognised brand.

Anti-Counterfeiting
Lead sophisticated anti-counterfeiting programmes.
Work closely with Customs authorities, investigators and law enforcement agencies.
Coordinate investigations, seizures and enforcement actions against counterfeit goods.
Develop strategies to combat lookalike products and unauthorised sellers.

Online Brand Protection
Oversee marketplace monitoring and online watch programmes.
Manage social media enforcement and takedown strategies.
Supervise external online enforcement providers and performance against KPIs.
Identify emerging online infringement risks and implement effective solutions.

Contentious IP
Develop litigation strategy across multiple jurisdictions.
Work alongside external counsel on complex contentious matters.
Build evidence strategies for litigation, oppositions, invalidity and enforcement proceedings.
Advise on trade mark, design right and copyright disputes.

Strategic Leadership
Lead and develop a team of four IP professionals.
Manage international external counsel and specialist suppliers.
Partner with Commercial Legal on licensing and strategic commercial agreements.
Present strategic updates and risk assessments to senior leadership.
Manage budgets, supplier performance and legal spend.
Share best practice across a global legal function.

About You
You'll be an experienced IP lawyer who enjoys solving complex problems and protecting world-class brands.
You'll ideally have:

• 10+ years' PQE specialising in Intellectual Property, ideally some within an international consumer business.
• Significant experience in brand protection and enforcement strategy
• Expertise in anti-counterfeiting programmes.
• Experience working with Customs, investigators and enforcement agencies.
• Hands-on experience managing online watch, marketplace monitoring and takedown programmes.
• Experience managing international trade mark, design and copyright portfolios.
• Previous people management experience (essential).
• Strong commercial judgement and outstanding stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working across multiple international jurisdictions.

Why This Role?
This is one of the most broad and strategically interesting in-house IP opportunities currently available. You'll have the opportunity to:

• Help shape the enforcement strategy for an internationally recognised consumer brand.
• Lead complex, high-profile IP matters.
• Influence litigation strategy across multiple jurisdictions.
• Manage sophisticated anti-counterfeiting and online enforcement programmes.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team.
• Work alongside one of the UK's most respected global Heads of Intellectual Property within an established international legal team.

If you're an experienced IP lawyer looking for a leadership opportunity within a fast-growing international business, we'd love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion, please apply or contact us directly with your CV.