Senior Manager - Legal Counsel (licensing )

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation:

In the area of Licensing, Sports & Brand Marketing, Brand Partnerships will play an important role in achieving credibility for adidas' brand propositions, adidas Performance, Sportswear and Originals – merging the best of adidas's DNA and that of its partners, like Stella McCartney, Y-3 and others. In addition, license partners allow adidas to complement its footwear and apparel range with key accessories, e.g. headphones, eyewear and watches. As a Legal Counsel speaciliazing in Licensing, Sports & Brand Marketing, you will support adidas in achieving this long term strategy while protecting adidas' interests. You act as a bridge between legal complexities and commercial success in all relevant product related design services and licensing matters, in particular on short and long term design service agreements and IP license agreements (in/out/cross) as well as in various Sports & Brand Marketing matters.

Key responsibilities:

• Support the Director Legal Counsel Licensing in all legal aspects related to design services and licensing matters to enable adidas to achieve its long term strategy while protecting its interests in line with internal policies, templates and principles.

• Drive and lead the negotiations on design services and licensing agreements to enable adidas to achieve its long term strategy while protecting its interests in line with internal policies, templates and principles.

• Contribute and support on ensuring compliance with internal policies, templates and principles with regard to design services and licensing matters.

• Support Director Legal Counsel Licensing in the identification and implementation of relevant initiatives and improvements (e.g. creation of new templates) to ensure efficient processes in close alignment with the wider Global Legal team.

• Contribute and support on the development and roll out of strategic programs, trainings and materials for stakeholders as appropriate.

• Support local legal counsel(s) on any design services and licensing agreements in line with internal policies, templates and principles.

• Draft, review, and negogiate a wide range of contracts and agreements that are handled by the wider team, including sponsorship, endorsements, and agency framework agreements.

• Manage the delivery of legal services through external counsel where needed. • Champion the use of legal technology and efficient processes to streamline workflows, enabling quicker decision-making and enhancing overall productivity.

• Regardless of experience level, actively contribute to the success of our legal team by sharing insights, participating in projects, and embracing a growth mindset.

Key Relationships:

• Global Brand & Sports Marketing | Legal & Business Affairs department;

• Global Licensing department;

• Global Business Units within Global Brands

• Global + Local Sports Marketing departments;

• Global Intellectual Property / Finance & Controlling / Tax;

• External partners, e.g. agents, senior representatives of governing bodies, federations, clubs Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proven ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice that supports strategic objectives in global context.

• Enthusiastic, flexible, positive and international mind set representing adidas values.

• Experienced strategic thinker with confidence and speed in execution.

• Collaborative mindset, actively contributing to the collective success of the legal team.

• Strong background in international contract and IP law, drafting, negotiation and business counselling and good understanding of the business mechanics behind IP licensing.

• Quick learner, open to acquire additional knowledge through training and ‘learning by doing'. • A strong sense of legal business management and administration with the ability to make practical evaluations of risk.

• Ability to work independently and manage and prioritize a substantial and diverse workload.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Must be fluent in English. Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Law degree in a civil and/or common law jurisdiction, with local legal professional admission in good standing.

• 5-8 years of relevant law firm or corporate counsel experience in commercial law with a focus on international contract law, IP and licensing.

• Preferably experience with multinational companies with multi market teams.

• Proficiency in English (German, French and/or Spanish languages are a plus).

AT ADIDAS WE HAVE A WINNING CULTURE. BUT TO WIN, PHYSICAL POWER IS NOT ENOUGH. JUST LIKE ATHLETES OUR EMPLOYEES NEED MENTAL STRENGTH IN THEIR GAME. WE FOSTER THE ATHLETE'S MINDSET THROUGH A SET OF BEHAVIORS THAT WE WANT TO ENABLE AND DEVELOP IN OUR PEOPLE AND THAT ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR UNIQUE COMPANY CULTURE: THIS IS HOW WE WIN WHILE PLAYING FAIR.

• COURAGE: Speak up when you see an opportunity; step up when you see a need..
• OWNERSHIP: Pick up the ball. Be proactive, take responsibility and follow-through.
• INNOVATION: Elevate to win. Be curious, test and learn new and better ways of doing things.
• TEAMPLAY: Win together. Work collaboratively and cultivate a shared mindset.
• INTEGRITY: Play by the rules. Hold yourself and others accountable to our company's standards.
• RESPECT: Value all players. Display empathy, be inclusive and show dignity to all.

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.