Head of Legal – Corporate, Commercial & IP

Description

The Head of Legal is responsible for leading the company’s corporate, commercial, contractual and intellectual property legal function. The role provides strategic legal support to management and business functions, ensures effective management of legal and IP risks, and supports the company’s domestic and international business activities.

The position oversees a legal team that supports corporate matters, domestic and international contracts, trademarks and other intellectual property matters, regulatory issues, disputes, and day-to-day legal needs across the business. The Head of Legal acts as a strategic business partner, ensuring that legal solutions support the company’s commercial objectives while protecting its interests and assets.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the company’s Legal, Corporate and Intellectual Property function.
• Provide strategic legal advice to senior management and business departments on corporate, commercial, contractual, regulatory and IP matters.
• Lead the drafting, review, negotiation and management of domestic and international contracts, including commercial, distribution, supply, service, licensing, partnership and other agreements.
• Oversee the company’s trademark and intellectual property portfolio, including trademark registration, renewals, monitoring, protection, enforcement and related IP matters in domestic and international markets.
• Develop and maintain processes for IP portfolio management and ensure proper protection and use of the company’s brands, trademarks and other intellectual property assets.
• Advise the business on IP-related risks, including trademark availability, brand launches, licensing, infringement, disputes and enforcement.
• Identify, assess and mitigate corporate, commercial, contractual, regulatory and intellectual property risks.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and internal policies in the company’s domestic and international operations.
• Oversee corporate governance matters, corporate documentation, powers of attorney, resolutions and other corporate legal requirements.
• Manage litigation, disputes, claims and other legal proceedings, including IP and trademark disputes.
• Represent or coordinate representation of the company before government authorities, courts, trademark offices and other relevant organizations.
• Develop and review internal policies, procedures, legal templates and corporate documents.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory and IP-related developments and assess their impact on the business.
• Provide legal support to HR, Finance, Procurement, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Production and other business functions.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel, IP specialists, trademark agents and other legal advisors, both domestically and internationally.
• Lead, manage and develop the legal and IP team, ensuring clear responsibilities, effective workflows and professional development.
• Establish efficient contract review, approval and legal risk-management processes across the company.
• Ensure proper maintenance, organization and confidentiality of corporate, contractual, trademark and other legal documentation.
• Provide regular reports to senior management on key legal matters, contractual risks, IP portfolio status, disputes and other significant legal issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant legal experience, with significant experience in corporate, commercial and contract law.
• Proven experience in a senior legal or legal management position.
• Strong experience with domestic and international commercial contracts and negotiations.
• Practical experience in trademark and intellectual property matters, including registration, portfolio management, protection and enforcement.
• Strong knowledge of corporate, commercial, contract, intellectual property and regulatory law.
• Experience in litigation, disputes, regulatory compliance and legal risk management.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills in both domestic and international contexts.
• Experience managing external counsel, trademark agents and other legal service providers.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong leadership and team-management abilities.
• High level of business and commercial awareness.
• Excellent command of English; Russian is an advantage, and knowledge of other languages is a plus.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, responsibility and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced, international business environment.