Job Description:

type of contract : permanent

Segment : Royal Canin

location : Aimargues, France (Near Montpellier)

The MP Operations team sits within Mars’ new Center of Legal Excellence (CoLE).

Counsel will work closely with the recently established CoLE and with a network of external TM counsels to clear, register, enforce the Royal Canin, Eukanuba, Nom Nom and SDX brands; Counsel will work closely with key business stakeholders on the marketing, brand comm and graphic chain teams.  Counsel will also work with MP colleagues and the broader law department.

• A graduate of an accredited law school and professionally qualified lawyer
• 3 to 6 years of experience, including both in a law firm and in an in-house role
• demonstrated success in global trademark practice with strong brand strategy business acumen

• Royal Canin Marketing properties Counsel will be responsible with oversight from the MP Sr. Counsel – Royal Canin for supporting the day-to-day handling of trademark and copyright matters, including portfolio management and execution of the global brand strategy for the assigned business segment, with the goal of achieving required MP related business results for each;
• Executes on global strategic brand development and growth of the ROYAL CANIN, EUKANUBA, NOM NOM and SDX businesses.
• Participates in marketing and/or brand community meetings as necessary, and liaises with others while developing strong partnerships and credibility, including providing ongoing training regarding MP topics.
• Provides support, handling as requested, to ensure execution of legal tasks supporting the global brand strategy, such as trademark oppositions and cancellation actions, copyright registration, support with respect to inter-company licensing, domain name portfolio management, customs registrations and maintenance.
• Works with supervisor to design and implement brand strategies that promote consistent use of the brands and are aligned with business needs and objectives.
• Works with supervisor to resolve critical brand challenges and define strategies to resolve those challenges either for designated brands and/or designated regions of the world.
• Works with supervisor to handle the prosecution or defense of trademark, copyright infringement and unfair competition litigation, as well as anti-counterfeit actions and strategies.
• Works with supervisor in connection with the review, drafting and negotiation of a range of MP-related agreements, including franchise, license, assignment, image release, and creative agency agreements.
• In collaboration with supervisor, serves as point of contact and liaison for certain brands and/or designated regions.
• Executes brand strategy to ensure commercially-focused global MP service to support brand and brand- related litigation strategies. May also provide input into brand strategy and gather relevant information to create strategies.
• Works with COLE with respect to the design, review and assessment of global clearance and filing programs.  Works with the relevant business units to gather relevant information to design these programs.
• Working with the COLE, assists with adherence to billing guidelines and invoice review
• Assists in drafting, presenting and implementing MP guidelines, policies and presentations.
• Working with COLE, supports with respect to questions of chain of title, trademark and copyright assignments and recordal of same, and other trademark ownership matters across the assigned Segment portfolio
• Ensures and adheres to robust standard operating procedures and other existing processes and assists MP AGC in optimizing same
• Assists with MP education and conducts training sessions to business units and external agencies.
• Actively manages and motivates team members, creating a culture of engagement and development, and builds an impactful team environment. Develops and educates other members of the team with less experience

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

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Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.