Intellectual Property Associate Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Job Posting:

Since 1953, Ferguson has been a source of quality supplies for a variety of industries. Together We Build Better infrastructure, better homes and better businesses. We exist to make our customers' complex projects simple, successful, and sustainable. We proactively solve problems, adapt and grow to continuously serve our customers, communities and each other. Ferguson, a Fortune 500 company, is proud to provide best-in-class products, service and capabilities across the following industries: Commercial/Mechanical, Facilities Supply, Fire and Fabrication, HVAC, Industrial, Residential Trade, Residential Building and Remodel, Waterworks and Residential Digital Commerce. Ferguson has approximately 36,000 associates across 1,700 locations. Ferguson is a community of proud associates who operate with the shared purpose of building something meaningful. You will build a career that you are proud of, at a company you can believe in.

The Associate General Counsel - Strategic Development will provide legal advice and guidance regarding a wide range of complex business matters, providing high quality, business focused legal support for Ferguson. This role will operate as a true generalist, with the opportunity to collaborate across the entire organization and support cross functional teams having a wide scope of responsibility across many practice areas, including commercial contracts, sales, marketing and intellectual property.

Location:

This position will be based at our new corporate office in Tampa, FL opening in the first half of 2027; in the meantime, the position will be designated as remote then moved to in office at time of opening. Current residents of Tampa or surrounding area are strongly preferred. Candidates relocating to Tampa will also be considered. Please note this on resume.

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal analysis, advice and support for various commercial agreements with customers, including structuring, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements with standard terms to achieve the optimal combination of service, cost, quality, and risk mitigation, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Support critical Corporate, Business and Functional strategy and customer facing initiatives.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and legal colleagues to meet evolving business needs, solve problems and build partnerships.
• Support content marketing and media initiatives through review of advertising and promotional materials for legal and regulatory compliance, including product claims, media, entertainment, digital content production, talent agreements, licensing, social media, rights, and clearances.
• Oversee Ferguson's trademark portfolio globally, including clearance, registration, maintenance, and enforcement of the Ferguson brands across all markets.
• Work closely with Engineering and Product teams regarding intellectual property rights of products and manage outside patent counsel.
• Maintain an expert-level of proficiency on current and evolving laws and regulations to provide legal counsel to Business and Functional partners.
• Assist in the implementation and communication of formal policies, processes and procedures to guide a customer contract throughout its lifecycle, including management of commercial contract signings, and guidance to management through legal administrative process.
• Maintain and ensure proper level of maintenance of signed commercial contracts and related approvals using contract management system and create regular reporting of key metrics.
• Assume additional responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from a law school fully accredited by the American Bar Association and admitted to practice and in good standing with at least one U.S. State Bar.
• A sharp, business-oriented attorney with a minimum of ten (10) years total legal experience, including significant, relevant experience with a law firm or private corporation as legal counsel.
• Experience in contract drafting and negotiation, including experience with the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and U.N. Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.
• Ability to work collaboratively and proactively with peers and internal clients across a global organization as well as independently.
• Ability to influence senior Business and Functional partners to achieve required outcomes, exercising high level of judgment to resolve challenges.
• Proven sound business judgment, including the ability to anticipate and analyze impact and consequences of decisions and recommendations by providing strategic legal advice and aligning legal strategies with business goals.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve legal issues quickly and effectively to reach fair and reasonable results.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to focus on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• High level of motivation and a strong work ethic.
• Excellent oral, written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate with at all levels of the organization.
• Outstanding customer service.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook) and leading contract management systems (iCertis preferred).

At Ferguson, we care for each other. We value our well-being just as much as our hard work. We are committed to a holistic approach towards benefits plans and programs that support the mental, physical and financial well-being of our associates. Our competitive offering not only includes benefits like health, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance and a 401(k) with a company match, but our associates also enjoy additional meaningful and inclusive enhancements that are adaptable to their diverse situations and needs, including mental health coverage, gender affirming and family building benefits, paid parental leave, associate discounts, community involvement opportunities and more!

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Pay Range:

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Estimated Ranges displayed are Monthly for Salaried roles OR Hourly for all other roles.

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This role is Bonus or Incentive Plan eligible.

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Ferguson complies with all wage regulations. The starting wage may be higher in certain locations based on local or state wage requirements.

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The Company is an equal opportunity employer as well as a government contractor that shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a), which prohibits discrimination against qualified protected Veterans and the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(A), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability.

Ferguson Enterprises, LLC. is an equal employment employerF/M/Disability/Vet/SexualOrientation/Gender Identity.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Information