Legal Counsel

Improving the sustainability of the textile dyeing industry

Job Description – Legal Counsel

Company:

Colorifix is a biotechnology company that aims to bring a novel, sustainable and environmentally-friendly process to the textile dyeing industry by eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals as well as allowing for large savings in water and energy use. Colorifix has been recognised by winning awards in both synthetic biology and fashion, with full information available on our website.

We promote and adhere to our company values of Trust, Sustainability, Respect, Inclusivity and Social Conscience.

Role description:

We are seeking a proactive and commercially minded Legal Counsel to take ownership of the legal function at Colorifix.

You will focus on handling commercial contracts and wider commercial law queries in-house, managing external counsel and resources in other areas of law (e.g. Employment, Corporate, Regulatory and Intellectual Property) or wherever necessary to ensure robust support for the business.

This is a sole counsel position ideal for a self-starter who thrives on autonomy. You will act as a strategic advisor to the Senior Leadership Team, overseeing all legal, compliance, and risk management matters.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Commercial Contracts & IP

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts in an IP-driven business, including joint venture agreements, NDAs, material transfer agreements (MTAs), collaboration agreements and grant contracts.

• Manage all commercial contracts and third-party vendor contracts.

• Maintain and update standard customer IP licensing agreements and customer pack templates.

• Liaise with external patent and trademark lawyers, coordinating our IP strategy.

Employment Matters

• Oversee the management of employment contracts and update employment contract templates.

• Advise on the implementation of HR policies.

• Liaise with and manage external counsel on a variety of employment law issues and issues concerning employee benefits, including employee share options.

Corporate Matters

• Coordinate with corporate secretarial services to maintain records and complete all necessary company filings in the UK and Portugal; and oversee filings in other locations.

• Manage and advise on corporate matters related to investors, liaising with external lawyers on corporate transactions in particular funding rounds and external shareholder arrangements.

• Attend and support record-keeping for board meetings of the UK holding company.

• Draft and manage inter/intra-company service and licence agreements.

Compliance & Governance

• Design and enforce company-wide policies regarding data protection (GDPR), anti-corruption, and sustainability reporting to ensure full compliance with laws in both core markets.

• Promote legal, compliance and risk management best practice throughout the company.

Regulatory Matters

• Provide a legal perspective to the Head of Regulation on our regulatory applications in EU and APAC.

• Stay abreast of legislative changes, particularly rules and regulations affecting the biotech and textile sectors in the EU and APAC.
  
  

Role Requirements:

• You must be a Dual-qualified lawyer (UK/Commonwealth and Portugal).

• At least 5-7 years PQE, with a blend of experience in both a well-established law firm and an in-house environment.

• Tech or scale-up experience (the ability to operate with agility in an international tech environment).

• Experience of drafting a wide range of commercial contracts.

• A strong understanding of IP licensing and experience within the Biotech sector is highly desirable.

• Skills:

• Excellent drafting and negotiating skills.

• Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical advice for non-legal colleagues.

• Strong commercial acumen and a practical, problem-solving attitude.

• High degree of autonomy and detail orientation.

Title: Legal Counsel

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Porto, Portugal - Our office is located in Vila Nova de Famalicão. We are approximately 30 minutes from Porto by car/train.

Holidays : 22 + BH + Birthday

Colorifix is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.