Job Description

Competitive

Location
David Austin Roses Bowling Green Lane Albrighton WV7 3HB United KingdomThis job ends on 28 November 2025

At David Austin Roses, we're more than just a horticultural company; we're a passionate family business dedicated to breeding and cultivating the most exquisite English Roses.

With over fifty years of rich heritage, we take great pride in creating roses that are not only beautiful but also fragrant and charming. Our love for roses and commitment to excellence has made us a beloved name in gardens around the world.

We are incredibly fortunate to work alongside a talented group of individuals who share our passion. Together, we strive to bring David Austin Senior's vision to life from our beautiful home nestled along a charming country lane in Shropshire.

Why this role?

The opportunity to work with a world-renowned horticultural brand with a global footprint. A dynamic and collaborative environment where legal plays a key strategic role. Exposure to a wide range of international branding and commercial matters. A chance to shape the company's global IP and licensing strategy and protect a legacy brand for future generations.

Overview

We are a well-established, internationally recognised horticultural brand with a proud heritage and a strong global presence. We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute In-House Legal Counsel to lead legal matters relating to our brand, licensing, intellectual property, and commercial operations across all international territories.

This role is central to protecting and leveraging our brand assets worldwide, supporting sustainable growth through strategic partnerships and commercial arrangements, and ensuring our global operations are underpinned by sound legal governance. The successful candidate will also manage a small team, to help foster professional development and ensuring delivery of high-quality, business-oriented legal support.

Your day to day:

Branding, Licensing & Intellectual Property:Manage and develop the company's global IP portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, plant variety rights, and patent registrations. Advise on brand licensing, co-branding, and distribution agreements across international markets. Oversee the protection and enforcement of IP rights globally, including infringement management, oppositions, and disputes. Partner closely with Marketing, Product Development, and Commercial teams to ensure consistent and compliant use of our brand across all channels and regions.
Commercial Contracts:Provide clear, pragmatic legal advice on contract structure, risk, and compliance. Develop and maintain template agreements and contracting guidelines to promote consistency and efficiency across international operations.
Team Leadership:Lead and mentor a team of two, setting clear objectives and ensuring high-quality delivery across the brand protection function. Support the professional growth and development of the team through coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing. Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the brand protection department.

What you bring to the team

Experience in intellectual property law, with additional experience in brand licensing and commercial contracting an advantage Proven leadership and people management experience. Excellent drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. Commercially minded, adaptable, and able to balance legal risk with business priorities.

What we offer

Competitive salary - available on request Hybrid working - 4 days in the office, 1 day at home 25 days annual leave (rising with 5 years' service) + Statutory Bank Holidays Employee discounts Employee Assistance Programme Free onsite parking Total earnings employer contributions to pension


Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are less likely to to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.

At David Austin Roses we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Skills for the job

Brand Licensing

Intellectual property law

Trademark enforcement