Job Description

About Huawei Research and Development UK Limited

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 207,000 employees and operate in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.

Our vision and mission is to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will drive ubiquitous connectivity and promote equal access to networks; bring cloud and artificial intelligence to all four corners of the earth to provide superior computing power where you need it, when you need it; build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; redefine user experience with AI, making it more personalized for people in all aspects of their life, whether they’re at home, in the office, or on the go.

This spirit of innovation has led Huawei to work in close partnership with leading academic institutions in the UK to develop and refine the latest technologies. With a shared commitment to innovation and progress, both parties have worked together to achieve common goals and establish a strong partnership. The partnership between UK and Huawei help to develop the technologies of the future that will transform the way we all communicate, work and live.

For the past 30 years we have maintained an unwavering focus, rejecting shortcuts and easy opportunities that don't align with our core business. With a practical approach to everything we do, we concentrate our efforts and invest patiently to drive technological breakthroughs.

This strategic focus is a reflection of our core values:

• staying customer-centric,
• inspiring dedication,
• persevering,
• Growing by reflection

Huawei Research and Development UK Limited Overview

Huawei’s vision is a fully connected, intelligent world. To achieve this, we work to inspire passion for basic research around the world. Our combined passion drives development across the global innovation value chain. Huawei has the largest Research and Development organization in the world with 96,000+ employees in research centers around the globe. In the UK, we already have design centers in Cambridge, London, Edinburgh and Ipswich. We continue to explore and define new research directions and new services. We have expanded our collaborations with academic researchers; researched new network architectures, integration of communications and key enabling technologies; and developed the fundamental theories of these technologies. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey and drive your career forward.

The focus of this legal role will be for general commercial, corporate, intellectual property and compliance matters arising from our research and manufacturing work in the UK. We are happy to consider existing in-house lawyers as well as private practice lawyers with previous secondment, in-house experience or a demonstrable commercial outlook in their working practice.

This role is to support Huawei across a broad range of commercial, intellectual property and compliance matters in relation to its offices in Cambridge, London, Ipswich and Edinburgh. You will be able to provide practical legal advice to business units and management on all legal issues arising from Huawei’s research, development, intellectual property and manufacturing activities in the UK as well supporting internal compliance, staff training and ad hoc legal matters. You will be part of the UK and global legal team and will therefore have the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across Huawei group to implemented legal best practice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise the business on a full range of contracting issues ranging from procurement through to research partnerships, business development or marketing arrangements.
• Responsibility for reviewing and drafting general commercial contracts and other documents, including NDAs, master service agreements, master procurement agreements, terms and conditions, intellectual property related agreements (e.g. research and development contracts with academia or industry, IP provisions in commercial agreements, licensing agreements) and real estate-related agreements;
• Support the business with key areas of statutory compliance including anti-bribery, modern slavery, data protection and export control.
• Conduct training sessions for non-legal staff on compliance issues and other legal risk areas (e.g. anti-bribery, data protection, confidentiality/trade secrets, business conduct, etc.).
• Work as part of the European legal team to identify issues of regional importance and provide solutions for Huawei research centres across the UK and EU.
• Horizon scanning and advising management on upcoming changes in the law or other external business risks which may impact Huawei’s operations in the UK.

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of Huawei Research and Development UK Limited.

Required:

• UK qualified solicitor with at least 2 years post SQE experience either in a UK law firm known for its technology work or in a relevant in-house role at a recognized company/institution in a leading technology area.
• Excellent knowledge of UK commercial law/contracts together with related areas of statutory compliance (e.g. bribery, modern slavery, data protection).
• Good knowledge of intellectual property (in particular patent, copyright, trade secret and know-how) and data privacy issues.
• Able to explain issues in plain English without legal jargon.
• Good drafting skills – able to work with existing templates and to create bespoke wording/documents as required by the business.
• An ability to work closely with a variety of stakeholders on a local and global basis to develop strong working relationships.
• A commercial outlook, understanding business needs.
• Good academic qualifications from a top tier university.
• Ability to work under pressure and to make sound decisions.
• Able to work unsupervised and as part of a team
• Excellent planning, attention to detail, organizational and time management skills with the ability to work to tight time schedules, prioritizing and handling conflicting demands
• Office-based work pattern but willing to travel.
• Cambridge preferred or there is frequent travel to Cambridge needed.

Helpful:

• Previous experience of an in-house environment
• Experience working on cross-border transactions
• Knowledge of employment law and/or real estate issues
• Familiarity with research projects between academia and industry – an understanding of university decision-making and stakeholder processes
• Experience working on intellectual property matters (protection, licensing, litigation, acquisition and divestment, etc.)
• Experience of working with ECJU and other government departments on export control and trade compliance issues

What we offer:

• 33 days annual leave entitlement per year (including UK public holidays)
• Group Personal Pension
• Life insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Medical expense claim scheme
• Employee Assistance Program
• Cycle to work scheme
• Company sports club and social events
• Opportunities for funded additional professional certification/training if relevant to the business