In-House Legal

ABOUT THE ROLE

The In-House Legal Counsel in Eakin Healthcare is responsible for managing all legal matters related to the company's operations. This includes providing legal advice and guidance to senior management on key business decisions, managing legal risks, overseeing the company's compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and managing relationships with external counsel.

The In-House Legal Counsel would need to build strong working relationships with a range of UK and International stakeholders, including senior management, other departments, external counsel, regulators, customers and suppliers, shareholders and investors, and industry groups and associations.

Overall, the In House Legal Counsel plays a critical role in ensuring that the company operates within the bounds of the law, manages legal risks effectively, and protects the company's interests.

KEY ACTIVITIES

• Responsible for providing legal advice to the company's management and employees on a range of issues, including contracts, compliance, intellectual property, labour law, and other legal matters.
• Draft and review contracts, agreements, and other legal documents that are necessary for the company's operations.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders, including research and development teams, to identify and evaluate potential intellectual property assets and opportunities.
• Manage the organization's intellectual property portfolio, including monitoring for infringement, enforcing intellectual property rights, and licensing intellectual property assets to third parties.
• Manage outside intellectual property counsel and other service providers, including negotiating contracts and managing budgets.
• Manage any legal disputes or litigation involving the company, including working with external counsel if necessary.
• Will work with stakeholders to ensure that the company is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.
• Partnering with internal stakeholders to identify and assess legal risks for the company and develop strategies to manage those risks.
• Provide training and education to employees on legal issues and best practices.
• Working collaboratively with other departments, such as Finance. IT, Human Resources, Commercial, R&D, Group Development and Operations, to ensure that legal considerations are integrated into their decision-making processes.
• Manage relationships with external counsel and oversee the work they do for the company. This will include establishing a network of international counsel and sourcing ad hoc support outside UK when required.
• Manage the Legal budget on an ongoing basis.
• Management of marketing consultancy retainer agreements.
• Management of global trademarks portfolio and acting as internal legal counsel on trademark /copyright infringement matters.
• Support Product & Marketing department in exploring brand/trademarks opportunities for new products and services.

Other

• To adhere to the company’s Equal Opportunities policy and Dignity at work policy in all activities and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible
• To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the company’s’ Health and Safety policy
• To adhere to the company’s Quality policy and Environmental policy
• To undertake other duties as may be reasonably required

KEY SKILLS

• Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Law and a UK qualified solicitor.
• Legal experience: A good breadth of legal experience in a corporate commercial environment including:
  • Procurement
  • Property
  • Employment
  • Commercial contracts
  • M&A
• Significant post qualification experience in a Corporate Environment preferably with a Medical Devices and Manufacturing background. Experience in a Multinational environment would be a plus.
• Must have a strong understanding of the legal landscape in the UK and be up to date on changes in laws and regulations that could impact the company. Experience in EU, Japan and the US is an advantage.
• Ability to communicate legal concepts and issues in a way that is understandable to non-legal colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively and in collaboration with colleagues across an organisation, including those who do not have a legal background.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly when drafting legal documents and reviewing contracts.
• Ability to adapt to changing legal and business environments and be able to respond quickly to new challenges or opportunities.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• Senior management: to provide legal advice and support for key business decisions.
• Internal functions: Finance. IT, Human Resources, Commercial, R&D, Group Development and Operations, to ensure that legal considerations are integrated into their decision-making processes.

External

• External counsel: to manage relationships with external counsel and oversee the work they do for the company.
• Regulators: to build relationships with regulators and ensure that the company is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.
• Customers and suppliers: to work with customers and suppliers on legal issues related to contracts, disputes, and other matters.
• Industry groups and associations: to participate in industry groups and associations to stay up-to-date on legal and regulatory developments that could impact the company.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Occasional Travel Requirements to core sites

COMPETENCIES

Commercial Orientation – Ensures appropriate data is used to evaluate risks. Looks at the wider implications and is likely to try to assess the long-term impact. Influences others and intervenes to get appropriate results

Strategic Awareness – Maintains a strong awareness of long-term goals and plans, keeping the future eventualities and possibilities in mind. Thinks in a global way and sees the bigger picture. Is likely to make impact on future direction and outcomes

Resilience – Can work under pressure, remains calm, thinks clearly and manages emotion under pressure. Addresses issues without being aggressive or controlling and can easily bounce back from setbacks. Is open to feedback and doesn’t dwell on past events.

Networking – Feels relaxed about relating to people and soon forges and builds relationships. Works well in an environment of mutual support and information sharing. Is not afraid to direct people or ask for their help.

Leadership – Likes to take charge of, control and direct the people and activities in their work arena. Clearly sees the way ahead, influences and encourages others to follow their lead in order to achieve goals.

Analytical – Enjoys analysing qualitative data but also considers quantitative and seeks to identify and explore they key elements in information before making commitments. Tends to like to use facts and figures when planning and reporting and is concerned about accuracy and detail

Planning and Organising – Thinks things through well in advance and maps out future activities, taking the key stages and requirements into account. Likes to monitor to ensure that things are implemented and delivered effectively

Interpersonal / Influencing – Deals with other in a convincing way that leads to gaining agreement without relying on hierarchy and shows sensitivity to working relationships. Doesn’t give up easily in the face of opinions that differ from their own. Influences others to reach conclusions and gain agreements.

Technical expert –full breadth of technical knowledge and can operate as a technical advisor, influencing others to achieve goals without relying on hierarchy. Keeps up to date on changes within their field and implements plans to ensure organisation is in a state of readiness. Participates in industry and professional associations