Group head of intellectual property and data protection

The opportunity
To strengthen our global Legal, IP & Risk function, we are looking for a Group Head of Intellectual Property & Data Protection. This senior legal role combines leadership of Drylock's global IP portfolio with responsibility for data protection and NIS2-related legal matters.
You will work closely with R&D, Category Management, Operations, IT and senior management. You will connect innovation and business priorities with clear legal strategies, robust portfolio management and pragmatic implementation. The role combines hands-on day-to-day work with significant strategic projects across the group.

1. Product Protection | approximately 65%
Lead the legal protection of Drylock's product, material, process and manufacturing innovations through patents, know-how, freedom-to-operate analysis, prosecution, licensing and enforcement. The role acts as the principal internal IP contact and the key link between R&D, the business and external patent counsel.

DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage the global patent portfolio throughout its lifecycle, including inventor formalities, annuities, deadlines and records.
Assess, define and lead the appropriate legal and IP response to innovation and third-party rights issues, including continued monitoring, freedom-to-operate analyses, oppositions, enforcement actions, prosecution strategy, protective letters, licensing and other protection measures, using external patent counsel where appropriate.
Assess innovations presented through the agreed R&D review process and decide, jointly with R&D, what, where and how to protect, including drafting proposals of technical claims and deciding on protection strategy, filing territories, patent drafting, prosecution and portfolio development

STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Jointly wiht R&D, define and implement Drylock's global product protection and patent strategy.
Establish and continuously improve the governance and decision framework for identifying, assessing and protecting innovations.
Build portfolio insight linking technologies, patents, products, countries and business priorities.
Lead IP workstreams in major patent disputes, strategic licences, collaborations, M&A and technology commercialisation.
Support Finance and Tax on innovation deduction, transfer pricing, IP valuation and portfolio optimisation.

2. Brand Protection | approximately 15%
Protect and strengthen Drylock's trademarks, designs, product appearance, packaging and digital brand assets in close cooperation with Category Management, Sales and other business stakeholders.

DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage global trademark and design portfolios with external counsel, including filings, renewals, watches, evidence of use and records.
Coordinate legal clearance for names, logos, claims, packaging, product appearance, prints and domain names.
Connect registered rights with actual commercial use, ownership, countries, channels, launches and phase-outs.
Advise on ownership, licensing, permitted use and contractual allocation of Drylock-owned and customer-owned brand assets.
Coordinate evidence capture, escalation and proportionate enforcement.
STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and implement a global brand and design protection strategy.
Define what Drylock protects, how, where and for how long, and rationalise the portfolio accordingly.
Establish practical intake, approval and decision processes for new brands, designs and packaging concepts.
Strengthen coordination between Legal, IP & Risk, Category Management, Sales and the wider business.

3. Data Protection, Privacy & NIS2 | approximately 20%
Provide practical legal support on data protection and privacy and support the group's NIS2 readiness and ongoing compliance in cooperation with IT, Information Security, Risk, HR and relevant business teams.

DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES
Advise on GDPR and privacy matters involving employee, customer and business data.
Support data sharing, transparency, retention, processor arrangements and international data transfers.
Maintain practical privacy policies, templates, records, assessments and awareness materials.
Coordinate legal support for data incidents and personal data breach response.
Support cybersecurity-related legal matters and regulatory obligations.
Monitor relevant legal developments and translate them into proportionate actions.
STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Strengthen group-wide privacy governance and embed privacy requirements in key business initiatives.
Support NIS2 implementation and ongoing compliance, including responsibilities, risk-management measures, incident reporting, supply-chain considerations, documentation and awareness.
Develop clear privacy and NIS2 implementation roadmaps and management reporting.
Partner with IT, Information Security and Risk on cybersecurity g