IP Legal Counsel - Taylor & Francis

Informa is a leading academic publishing, business intelligence, knowledge and events business, creating unique content and connectivity for customers all over the world. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.

Taylor & Francis Group operates globally and produces high quality, peer reviewed books and journals. We produce trusted content by expert authors, spreading knowledge and promoting discovery globally. We aim to broaden thinking and advance understanding, providing academics and professionals with a platform to share ideas and realize their individual potential.

Our purpose is to foster human progress through knowledge, encouraging open debate and diverse perspectives that challenge personal beliefs to find the best version of truth. If you agree, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Description

We are recruiting a Legal Counsel to join the Taylor & Francis legal team.

Location: 5 Howick Place office, London.

Responsibilities and keys to success

• Advising on content‑related issues, both pre‑ and post‑publication, including issues related to copyright, defamation and privacy.
• Drafting, negotiating and advising on a wide range of commercial contracts including customer contracts, publishing agreements, author/editor contracts, distribution and agency agreements, supplier agreements and IT/technology contracts.
• Supporting the business on the resolution of third party disputes and working in close collaboration with internal Taylor & Francis stakeholders, including the Editorial, Commercial, Communications and Ethics teams, as appropriate.
• Maintaining, updating and creating (where necessary) Taylor & Francis’ commercial contract templates.
• Building effective working relationships with the Taylor & Francis senior leadership team and wider business functions to build engagement and understanding of legal risk and promote the legal function.
• Collaborating effectively with the other lawyers in the Taylor & Francis legal team to ensure a consistent and effective approach to managing legal risk across the business globally.
• Assisting with developing and delivering training and guidance notes on legal topics to business colleagues.
• Liaising with and instructing external counsel where necessary.
• Representing Taylor & Francis at external industry events, trade bodies and initiatives as appropriate.

Qualifications

Knowledge and experience

• Qualified lawyer with around 3 years post‑qualification experience (PQE is a guide; other levels are encouraged to apply).
• Experience advising clients on commercial/contract law, IP/copyright issues, data protection and disputes.
• Experience on technology/IT contracts is desirable but not essential.
• Experience building effective working relationships with clients or stakeholders in a business.
• Prior in‑house experience or publishing industry experience is desirable but not essential; a genuine interest in publishing and keeping up to date is important.

Skills and behaviours

• Professional, organised, enthusiastic and proactive with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Practical, commercial thinker able to find pragmatic and workable solutions.
• Ability to exercise commercial judgement and balance business needs with legal risk in a constructive way.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, explaining complex legal issues clearly to non‑legally trained audience.
• Good team player with a growth mindset and a desire to assist with a variety of tasks.
• Ability to take ownership and work independently where required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build strong relationships with internal stakeholders.

Additional Information

Location: We believe that great things happen when people connect face to face. We work in‑person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When you’re not at the office or an event, you have the flexibility to work from home or remotely. Candidates must live within a commutable distance of our London or Oxford offices to collaborate as needed. Minimum of 3 days per week in‑person is expected.

What we offer in return

• An excellent work/life balance with a fantastic, flexible working culture.
• 25 days annual leave per year plus a day off for your birthday.
• 3 additional discretionary days off during the holiday season.
• 4 paid volunteering days each year.
• Company funded single cover private medical insurance.
• Employee assistance programme – 24/7 well‑being support.
• Share Match – Plan that matches every share purchased with two free shares.
• Pension scheme.
• Life assurance, plus optical and medical care.

Being Yourself at Taylor & Francis

If you’re excited about working with Taylor & Francis to foster human progress through knowledge, we invite you to apply even if your existing skills and experience don’t fit every item listed. Taylor & Francis values diversity and inclusion; you can be yourself and make a contribution regardless of your identity or background. We empower you with resources, incentives and flexibility for success.

Taylor & Francis is a proud equal opportunity employer. We recruit, develop and retain colleagues without regard to protected characteristics or non‑merit based factors.

To learn more about our business and career opportunities, visit our Careers Site: https://taylorandfrancisgroup.com/careers

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