Junior Area Legal Counsel / Area Legal Counsel

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World.
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide Expert Legal Advice: Be an integral part of BAT’s Central Europe Legal Department and offer comprehensive legal guidance to all functions in Central Europe with a primary focus on the Swiss and Austrian businesses. Support the Legal Department in managing the Company’s contentious matters by overseeing external counsel, and effectively handling litigation and administrative proceedings. Deliver engaging training sessions to ensure compliance with internal policies and regulations during our business activities.
• Be a Leader: Take on leadership responsibilities both within the Legal Department and throughout the wider organization, with particular emphasis on supporting and guiding cross-functional initiatives in Switzerland and Austria. Foster collaboration, drive alignment, and provide strategic direction to enable commercial success.
• Support the Business: Be a partner for all business operations by reviewing and risk‑assessing marketing and commercial activities, monitoring and interpreting the legal and regulatory framework, identifying legal priorities, and contributing to cross‑functional projects to anticipate and mitigate legal risks.
• Review of Marketing Material: Ensure that all marketing initiatives across Switzerland and Austria are reviewed with a high level of legal rigor and business awareness. Provide clear, solution‑oriented guidance that enables the teams to communicate effectively while fully complying with applicable laws, internal policies, and regulatory expectations
• Draft and Review Contracts: Craft and scrutinize contracts and supporting documents, ensuring they meet the highest standards of protection for the Company. Develop and optimize standard templates and drive the contract lifecycle management.
• Monitor Legal Landscape: Keep a keen eye on the legislative environment, ensuring our company remains compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.

What are we looking for?

• Recognized Master’s Degree: Hold a Master’s degree in law from a Swiss university and/or be a certified lawyer in Switzerland (or EU/EFTA/UK equivalent).
• Experience: Have 3+ years of experience in corporate and commercial law, gained in multinational corporate environments and leading law firms (ideally a combination thereof).
• Communication Skills: Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and German.
• Initiative and Judgement: Ability to act on your own initiative, applying good judgement.
• Influencing and Problem-Solving: Strong influencing and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work with peers and senior management, inspiring trust and confidence.
• Clarity in Communication: Capacity to explain highly complicated and technical legal issues in a clear and concise way.
• Business Understanding: Ability to understand the needs of the business and express them clearly, concisely, and effectively.

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes

WHY JOIN BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals.

We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an own venture).

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.