Unilever
Senior Legal Counsel Home Care UKI
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Senior Legal Counsel Home Care UKI
Senior Legal Counsel – Home Care, Unilever UK & Ireland
Location: Kingston-upon-Thames
Role Purpose
Unilever's Home Care Legal Team is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to act as the lead in-house legal partner for the UK & Ireland Home Care business. Reporting to the Home Care General Counsel Europe, this is a high-visibility role embedded in the UKI Home Care Leadership Team, with a mandate to:
- Shape commercial decisions
- Manage risk on key campaigns and disputes
- Influence industry positions on behalf of one of the UK's largest FMCG businesses
You will own the legal agenda for a portfolio of category-leading brands, working at the intersection of innovation, marketing, competition, and disputes—providing pragmatic, commercially astute advice that enables growth while protecting reputation and value.
Team Context
The UK & Ireland Legal Team, based in Kingston-upon-Thames, is integral to the business's risk governance for commercial and marketing activity. The role:
- Works closely with the wider Home Care Legal Team
- Leverages global centralised expert functions (e.g., employment, litigation, intellectual property, and competition law)
- Collaborates with Regulatory Affairs and R&D
- Has access to junior legal support and cross-functional teams
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Business Partnering
- Serve as trusted legal adviser to the UKI Home Care Leadership Team, providing real-time counsel on:
- Commercial strategy
- Risk management
- Competition law (as a standing member of leadership forums and senior reviews)
- Translate complex legal issues into clear, risk-based recommendations
- Support business reviews, leadership visits, and senior stakeholder engagements in UKI
Marketing, Innovation, and Claims
- Advise on the full lifecycle of brand and innovation activity, including:
- Concept and on-pack claims
- Advertising, sponsorship, and influencer campaigns
- Rigorous risk assessment and mitigation planning
- Partner with Regulatory Affairs and R&D to review marketing assets (print, media, product claims)
Competitor Strategy and Disputes
- Lead Unilever’s competitor challenge and defence strategy in UKI:
- Assessing, pursuing, and defending claims and advertising matters before the ASA, courts, Trading Standards, and other forums
- Manage product claim and commercial litigation, collaborating with internal experts to achieve cost-effective, commercially aligned outcomes
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Commercial Contracts
- Draft and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including:
- Service and consultancy agreements
- Confidentiality, sponsorship, and talent agreements
- Brand-building agency and influencer agreements
- Joint business plan agreements with customers
Intellectual Property
- Advise on (in partnership with Unilever’s IP specialists):
- Brand protection
- Unfair competition
- Licensing and third-party IP use
- IP risk management across marketing and innovation
External Representation and Industry Influence
- Represent Unilever in trade bodies (e.g., UKCPI) and with regulators, authorities, and trade associations
- Shape legal and policy positions and align on industry initiatives
Issue and Incident Response
- Lead rapid risk assessment and resolution for:
- Ad hoc commercial and supply chain issues
- Support Consumer Care and Communications in managing complex complaints and incidents
Capability Building
- Strengthen legal capability across the business through:
- Targeted training
- Practical playbooks, templates, and guidance
- Embed Unilever’s compliance framework and ensure high-quality decision-making
Cross-Border Collaboration
- Contribute to and lead cross-country projects with in-house lawyers across Europe and globally
- Share learning and provide a pan-Unilever perspective to UKI decisions
Experience & Skills
Essential Requirements
- Qualified lawyer with a minimum of six years' post-qualification experience advising on marketing and commercial legal matters (equivalent experience considered).
- Experience working in FMCG, retail, or consumer brands (preferred but not essential).
- Fast-paced, brand-led environment experience, with a track record of advising senior business decision-makers.
Technical Expertise
- Marketing and advertising law, including claims support in a regulated environment (specialist support available).
- Commercial contracts (brand-building, customer, and third-party agreements).
- Competition law expertise, particularly in agreements between Unilever and its customers (with specialist internal support).
- Familiarity with leading and managing disputes, collaborating with experts to achieve commercial outcomes.
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Personal Capabilities
- Exceptional agility to rapidly transition between diverse matters in a fast-paced environment.
- Prior in-house experience (ideally in an FMCG or matrix setting).
- Confident, credible communicator who can influence leadership and clarify legal complexity in commercial terms.
- Sharp commercial judgment to balance cost, risk, and competitive advantage for deliverable solutions.
- Strong organisation and prioritisation skills; adaptable and calm under pressure.
- Proactive, collaborative team player who builds trust across functions and geographies.
- Coaching mindset to build legal capability while maintaining high integrity and professional standards.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and pension scheme
- Annual bonus
- Subsidised gym membership
- Discounted staff shop and company shares
- Opportunity to work with renowned global brands in a flexible/hybrid environment
- Support for family-friendly policies and inclusion initiatives
- Career development ** programmes** (including hubs and training)
Note: Flexible working options may be available upon request.
Diversity & Inclusion
Unilever is committed to an inclusive and representative workplace, offering equality of consideration for all applicants, regardless of background. Meaningful adjustments can be made during the recruitment process to ensure fair access.
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