Deputy General Counsel

Position Description

Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel, Global Intellectual Property, will be responsible for maintaining, protecting, and leveraging the Company’s portfolio of global iconic brands and protecting and leveraging the Company’s innovations, including its patents and trade secrets. The Deputy General Counsel will work closely with legal and business colleagues in various functions and countries, including senior and executive leadership, and the merger and acquisitions (M&A), litigation and marketing teams. We are seeking an experienced attorney and business partner with a proven ability to lead a team, influence, exercise good judgment, foster teamwork, and operate with a growth mindset. A successful candidate is able to deliver high-quality legal expertise; a strategic, holistic approach to protecting intellectual property; is proactive and solution-oriented; and works collaboratively across the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for the prosecution of Company’s intellectual property (IP) assets, including clearances, filing applications, and renewing trademark registrations.
• Responsible for the protection and enforcement of IP assets, including oppositions, cancellations, counterfeits, and infringements.
• Drafts and negotiates IP agreements, including licenses, and development and services agreements.
• Manages global intellectual property legal team of attorneys and paralegals.
• Advises the business, including marketing and research and development (R&D), on various intellectual property matters, including IP and licensing strategy and protection.
• Manages global IP budget.
• Partners and collaborates with legal cross-functional practice areas, including business unit counsel, litigation, M&A, and procurement.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of intellectual property experience in private practice or in-house legal experience, or a combination of private practice and in-house experience.
• Extensive experience in managing a large trademark portfolio and patent portfolio.
• Strong experience in negotiating and drafting complex IP agreements.
• Proven ability to assess business from a legal perspective and create proactive strategies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Comfortable and effective in a dynamic, agile environment.
• Demonstrated growth mindset.
• Able to positively influence, create and champion change.
• Makes and owns decisions.
• Promotes within the team the passion and drive to realize Kraft Heinz’s purpose and value.
• Superior organizational and time-management skills.
• Positive attitude.
• Able to communicate and interact effectively with third parties and stakeholders at all levels of the company.
• Able to manage outside counsel and legal budgets effectively.
• Juris doctor from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Member of a State Bar in good standing

About the Organization

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $26 billion. We’re a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. While Kraft Heinz is co-headquartered
in Chicago and Pittsburgh, our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands. We spark joy around mealtime with our iconic brands, including Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Heinz,
Philadelphia, Lunchables, Velveeta, Maxwell House, Capri Sun, Ore-Ida, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, Primal Kitchen, and Classico, among others.

No matter the brand, we’re united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally. Bringing this vision to life is our team of 39,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global
partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we’re transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion – and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen – there’s only one thing to do: join our table and let’s make life delicious!

How to Apply

Please email your resume to: Carrie Rockershousen at [email protected].