Assistant General Counsel - Marketing & Innovation - Global Petcare

Job Description Assistant General Counsel role is a strategic global legal leader in Petcare who is focused on partnering with our Marketing & Innovation teams and helping to lead the strategic direction of our Intellectual Property function, for marketing and innovation intellectual property (brand protection, trademark, copyright, social media, AI, innovation, etc.). This role provides a holistic view across the Petcare divisions to help shape our growth and innovation strategies, including supporting our innovation pipeline, marketing ambitions and thought leadership on IP matters to ensure they are aligned with our end‑to‑end demand strategy and support our overall growth, innovation, demand and marketing agenda within Petcare. This position will play a key role in enabling innovation and brand differentiation in a competitive fast‑moving consumer landscape with a diverse set of businesses in the Petcare segment, ranging from traditional consumer packaged goods to veterinary and lab services underpinned by foundational and transformational sciences. The Assistant General Counsel is responsible for Marketing & Innovation across the Petcare business segment of Mars, Incorporated. Petcare is comprised of four distinct business units: Pet Nutrition, Royal Canin, Mars Veterinary Health and Science & Diagnostics spanning a number of technologies and brands, including, for example, comprehensive veterinary care (AniCura, BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, Linnaeus and VCA), nutrition (ACANA, PEDIGREE, ROYAL CANIN, and WHISKAS), diagnostics (Antech and Heska), wearable health monitoring, DNA testing and pet parent platforms. The Waltham Petcare Science Institute also supports foundational and future science to improve pet health through nutrition, data and veterinary care. What are we looking for? Minimum of 12+ years as a practicing lawyer with demonstrated experience in supporting marketing and innovation initiatives; in‑house lawyer experience preferred. Understanding of the corporate environment and the linkage between company business objectives, end‑to‑end demand strategies including Marketing, Innovation and R&D efforts, and related global portfolio development, protection and enforcement strategies. Exposure to global issues and strategic vision for delivering business priorities. Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work well with and relate to company personnel at all corporate and scientific levels. Demonstrated sensitivity to cultural issues arising from a global business that may impact a business or legal decision. Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate and interact effectively with clients and business leaders at all levels; must be able to identify critical issues requiring action and convey them in an understandable manner. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to function well in a multi‑disciplinary team environment. Quick study, able to handle complex matters with multiple simultaneous initiatives. Positive track record in leading and engaging a large, geographically dispersed legal function. Experience developing talent, building and motivating a legal team, and when necessary advocating and instituting change within a legal department; a leader who innately develops followership. Mindset that is collegial and collaborative and will bring a proven commitment to a positive working environment within the legal organization. Experience in talent development and appreciation for the benefit of having a diverse team of in‑house attorneys. What will be your key responsibilities? Strategic leadership across marketing, advertising, contract, IP/brand protection, AI, social media and related legal areas to provide a broad view of critical focus areas and investments across the Segment. Legal lead in supporting holistic brand and innovation strategies to deliver Petcare OGSM, building comprehensive legal strategies at Segment level to support marketing and innovation ambitions. Ensure an integrated approach to IP protection and development for innovation and brands, ensuring a cross‑divisional science focus on pet health and translating into business‑focused deliverables. Partner with Brand Experience, Marketing & Strategy teams at Petcare level to support initiatives including advertising, claims, branding, co‑branding and digital/AI marketing projects and strategies. Oversee the integrated approach to protecting and enforcing our worldwide brands and content portfolios aligned to the Segment priorities. Liaise with business unit Legal leads, Food law, SRA, Marketing, R&D and Innovation teams, and broader business associates to develop and implement a well‑conceived strategy to optimize the Segment’s IP & Brand positions, including evaluating competitor portfolios and enforcement activities. Ensure the Intellectual Property function provides necessary legal support to the Segment’s Marketing, Innovation, Commercial, Digital Technologies, Business Development, Sales, Supply and R&D teams. Oversee strategic marketing‑related agreements, including NDAs, MSAs, consulting agreements, licenses and other IP related agreements. Oversee continuous refinement of the portfolio mapping and life‑cycle management program for the Segment’s trademark portfolios. Provide IP due diligence support to other law department members for technology investments and business acquisitions. Contribute to a high‑performing and collaborative legal team supporting the IP function across the Segment in an integrated approach. Strong people management across the function, including hiring, supervising and evaluating the Segment’s intellectual property lawyers and implementing an effective program to motivate, mentor and retain the legal team. Assist in setting and managing the Segment’s IP budget for Brands/Marketing and approve spend against the budget to maintain alignment with segment priorities. Liaise and coordinate with business unit Legal Leads to ensure team members meet ongoing business unit needs and support both strategic and operational initiatives. Ensure high‑performance collaboration across the IP teams cross‑segment and in partnership with the Center of Legal Excellence to ensure efficient and effective use of resources within the Petcare Segment and broader Mars, Inc. organization. What can you expect from Mars? Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles. Join a purpose driven company striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. Strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University. An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus. #J-18808-Ljbffr