Legal Associate

Job Title: Legal Associate

Job Location: Bangalore Centre

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.

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. We have established four Legal Powerhouses in Bangalore, Mexico City, São Paulo and Barcelona, which form an integral part of the Legal Function and provide defined, structured services to our other lawyers and to the wider business.

Where this position fits into the team:

• Part of the Unilever Legal Powerhouse – a team we’re currently building, which consists of around 60+ colleagues in Bangalore currently.

• Integral part of the Unilever’s Legal Function - a global operation consisting of approximately 500 lawyers and specialists.

• Based alongside the Uni Ops Function in Bangalore – a wider team of 1,600 that powers Unilever’s compass strategy through world class business operations enabled by technology and innovation.

Role purpose

As part of the Technology Agreements Group (TAG) supporting R&D:

• Lead the review, drafting, and negotiation of NDAs, material transfer agreements, research services agreements, clinical agreements and any Ad Hoc requests ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance with legal standards.

• Provide comprehensive legal support to business stakeholders and scientists around the world and part of the Unilever organization, as a key member of TAG and the IP team advising on confidential and strategic engagements, contributing to the development of innovative products and services.

• Contextualize and simplify key IP and contract issues to R&D stakeholders to keep confidential information secure and ensure IP protection.

• Engage with IP and Patent counsels across the organization to address legal challenges, share insights, and develop best practices.

• Liaise with operational teams to ensure a smooth process flows and contract management, ensuring consistent contract support.

• Enable and work with administrative teams to ensure the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date systems, records and files.

• Simplification and innovation; supporting innovation and use of technology to simplify and improve the provision of legal services.

• Engaging with and supporting other lawyers across Unilever.

Contracting:

• Negotiate terms and conditions with third parties that Unilever needs to contract with, ensuring the use of Unilever’s standard templates where possible or, alternately, negotiating on third party templates as required while ensuring necessary changes to safeguard Unilever interests.

• Ensure effective business partnering by communicating key contractual risks and providing mitigation plans to empower stakeholders to make informed and timely decisions.

• To work with other members of Unilever’s legal team to ensure that updated versions of clauses, templates and schedules are used.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with organizational policies.

• Support quick turnaround for high priority engagements to meet organizational commitments.

• Understand changes to standard clauses, and highlight deviations and risks, if outside of standard clauses.

• Ensure the organization’s internal contract document templates and playbooks are accurate and up to date.

• Identify opportunities to improve current contract processes and devise plans to implement these changes.

Stakeholder Management

• Support the development and management of stakeholder relationships within Unilever and with key internal and external parties

Key Stakeholders will include:

• R&D Scientists

• IP team

• Legal Counsels (including external legal counsel)

• Data Privacy Teams

• Information Security Teams

Key Skills

• Professional qualification in Law

• Prior experience advising on IP issues

• Contract negotiation skills

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management

Essential

• PQE of 4-7 years of experience practicing law as part of corporate legal department or in a law firm

• Contract review and specific IP experience

• Attention to detail

• Ability to work with colleagues across multiple time zones and countries

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to contextualize and simplify legal issues to ensure effective risk management

Preferable

• Experience of working for a large multinational and/or in a B2C business and/or FMCG business and/or in a niche/dedicated IP team

Leadership Behaviors

• Care deeply

• Focus on what counts

• Stay 3 steps ahead

• Deliver with excellence

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!

"All official offers from Unilever are issued only via our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Offers from individuals or unofficial sources may be fraudulent—please verify before proceeding."