Job Title & Scope: Director, TradeMark and Brand Protection (South Asia, Turkey and Arabia)
Location: Bangalore
ABOUT UNILEVER:
Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future.
Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you.
Who are we and what we do
Our focus in Legal is on high impact strategic business partnering, leveraging and strengthening our legal expertise whilst continuing to expand the powerhouses and focus on digital transformation.
Unilever's legal team has recently been awarded Most Innovative In-House Legal Team in Europe and In-House Legal Team. We are at the forefront of innovation and digitilisation with GenAI tools, data and Powerhouses shaping the future of how we work.
Job Purpose:
The role of the Legal Group is to protect Unilever and help it to win by providing objective advice and creative legal solutions.
As Trade Mark and Brand Protection Director, South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal) Turkey and Arabia, you will report directly to a newly created role of Head of Trade Marks & Brand Protection based in London, and will be an integral member of the global IP team. You will work closely with IP colleagues around the world, as well as the Head of IP Operations, Head of Patents and Group Chief IP Officer.
In this role, you will provide comprehensive global IP advice, risk management support and creative legal solutions to the business, with a focus on all aspects of global trade mark portfolio management and enforcement, M&A, copyright, music, contract drafting and negotiation, domain name registrations, recoveries and acquisitions, as well as global litigation and negotiation. Whilst the role will not have responsibility for designs, the candidate is expected to understand the principles around design rights and other ancillary IP rights, such as patents, know-how and trade secrets and to support on licensing, sponsorship and other marketing related agreements insofar as brand IP rights are concerned.
You will also work with other lawyers and functional experts on other areas such as licensing, litigation, competition law, privacy, data and digital. Close collaboration with global and regional lawyers across the business is a core part of the role. You will be part of the wider Powerhouses legal community comprising a dynamic group of lawyers.
Core Responsibilities:
As a member of the global Trade Mark team, you will work with regional IP colleagues and other key stakeholders, as well as our external law firm partners and will be responsible for:
Strategy: developing and implementing global and regional trade mark strategies for the Power brands for which you are responsible in line with the business strategy and GAP.
Protection and Maintenance: global trade mark prosecution, including conducting clearance searches, preparing risk assessments for new and existing brands, products, and campaigns (including copyright and music clearance and other forms of IP rights); and managing filing, maintenance and watching programs aligned to business priorities.
Enforcement: defensive and offensive IP disputes, including TM oppositions and cancellation proceedings, trade mark and copyright infringements, unfair competition, passing off and infringement claims, including the preparation and review of pre-action letters, pleadings, witness statements and collation of supporting evidence, as well as conducting settlement negotiations.
Brand Protection: strategic advice and support on anti-counterfeiting and illicit trade enforcement activities, customs and law enforcement strategies, and expert guidance to our brand protection and legal colleagues on diversion issues.
Commercial Contracts: drafting and negotiating agreements and other contracts in relation to Unilever’s and third parties’ IP, including licensing agreements, sponsorship and partnership agreements.
M&A: advising on M&A activities, including due diligence, remediation strategies and integration, and post-closing activities.
Domain Names: trade mark related domain name issues, domain name recoveries
Business Partnering: acting as a trusted business partner and provide timely, pro-active, IP counselling on all innovation areas, whilst identifying wider legal issues and notify legal colleagues, e.g. claims, competition risk, design rights, tax, compliance, marketing / regulatory / advertising law.
Knowledge Management: knowledge of IP ownership structures; and manage and maintain accurate data for all contentious disputes and IP-related agreements.
Budget: forecasting, tracking, and controlling IP legal spend to stay within budgetary guidelines, ensuring that fiscal responsibility is practiced and demonstrated.
Team Leadership: You will l have a proven track record as a mentor and coach to drive professional and personal development and build relevant expertise.
IP Culture: You will raise the level of IP awareness across the business and lead regular trainings for your business partners to ensure the protection of all Company IP and compliance with our global standards and policies as needed.
Emerging and Adjacent Areas: you will upskill and ensure awareness and training on emerging trends such as GenAI, pop culture, music rights.
Skills & Experience: what you need to succeed
Minimum of 15 years PQE from a reputed law college. Masters in Intellectual Property Law.
Must have worked with a global FMCG or equivalent company (large scale) with relevant International Trademark
Proven track record of global trade mark portfolio management and enforcement, brand protection, copyright law and practice, with experience in strategic portfolio management, litigation and commercial agreements.
Strong organisational and prioritisation skills to cope with multiple stakeholders, competing deadlines and priorities, with requests often at very short notice.
Curious, flexible and purposeful leadership style with a willingness to learn and take on increasing degrees of responsibility and develop talent.
Passion for high performance, and excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to think strategically about business growth, with a proactive approach to seizing opportunities and addressing challenges.
Financial acumen and proven experience in budget management.
Adaptable and flexible style with proven track record of embracing change
Note
At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you!