Legal Counsel, Marketing

**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**

**ROLE PROFILE**

**JOB TITLE**:Legal Counsel (Marketing)

**FUNCTION**:Legal Affairs

**SUB FUNCTION**:Marketing Legal

**CITY & COUNTRY**:Selangor, Malaysia

**ROLE SUMMARY**

**What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?**

Provide specialized commercial legal advice and expertise to BAT’s global Marketing function. The primary focus of this role is to deliver proactive and business-relevant legal counselling of an exceptional professional standard on Marketing arrangements, in particular global marketing supplier relationships and contracts, having the ability to independently manage global marketing contracts comprehensively, from drafting through to execution. Key stakeholders are Procurement, Marketing, Category Counsels and SME’s and the role requires ability to counsel on issues, drafting and reviewing contracts for strategic brand development and the provision of marketing professional services.

**ACCOUNTABILITIES**

**Strategic Legal Partnering**:

- Acting as commercial counsel to the Marketing function, with a focus on all aspects of any procurement, supplier relationships and provide strategic input to support any Marketing business initiatives.
- Collaborate with senior management to shape deal structures and influence decision-making at early stages.

**End-to-End Contract Management**:

- Independently manage global marketing contracts comprehensively, from drafting through to execution. Ensure contracts are aligned with business objectives and BAT positions and policies while mitigating legal and commercial risks.
- Structuring, negotiating, drafting, and guide on execution of Marketing transactions including services agreements with marketing agencies for all types of agreements including marketing agency, sponsorship, licensing, digital media, talent, communication, consumer research services, secondment, intra-group agreements and non-disclosure agreements.

**Risk Management and Compliance**:

- Identifying and mitigating legal risk (e.g. related to intellectual property, data privacy, advertising standards, and regulatory compliance) in proposed and operational marketing arrangements, advising on the commitment to improvement and resolution of contractual disputes, and contract termination.
- Ensure adherence to internal policies, Responsible Marketing Frameworks, and external legal requirements.
- Advising on the presentation of proposed Marketing transactional matters for consideration and approval by the Marketing leadership team or other appropriate board or committee.
- Manage pre-litigation disputes and contractual improvements, working with external counsel where necessary.
- Support internal investigations and remediation efforts related to marketing practices or contractual breaches.

**Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement**
- Providing strategic legal advice and counselling directly to Marketing, Procurement and Finance senior managers to support the operation of key contractual arrangements in place with suppliers.
- Co-Lead legal workstreams for high-impact marketing projects (e.g. RFP), coordinating across internal legal, compliance, and commercial teams.
- Represent Legal in cross-functional governance forums and contribute to strategic business planning.
- Instructing and managing external legal counsel in relation to complex, high profile and/or strategically important transactions and other advice, reviewing output, and controlling and approving spend

**Contract Lifecycle and Continuous Improvement**
- Develop and maintain Marketing Toolkits including contract templates, playbooks, and negotiation guidelines to drive consistency and efficiency.
- Provide training and guidance to marketing and procurement teams on legal standard methodologies, contract process flows and risk awareness.
- Foster strong relationships with local and global legal teams and external partners to ensure seamless collaboration, information flows and successful execution of global agreements and

**Role model our BAT Values**
- Truly inclusive, Stronger together, Do the right thing, Love our consumer, Passion to win and Empowered through trust

**EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE**

**Experience Required**
- Significant experience and expertise in commercial law and practice, with a proven track record of advising on complex and high-value global frameworks agreements.
- Experienced and able to independently manage global marketing contracts end-to-end and through contract life cycle, from drafting through to execution.
- Demonstrated ability to align legal advice with business strategy, ensuring contracts support commercial objectives while mitigating legal and reputational risks

**Technical / F