Senior Lead - Legal Counsel, Intellectual Property & Brand Protection

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.  We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.    We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.   Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.    For more information, visit WPP.com.   Why we're hiring: The Enterprise Security Architect at WPP will be a pivotal role, responsible for defining and evolving the security architecture within WPP. This role ensures that WPP's technology landscape is designed with security, resilience, and compliance as fundamental pillars. The architect will bridge the gap between business objectives, regulatory requirements, and technical implementation, specifically focusing on embedding security best practices. Operating heavily in the Cyber Risk and Compliance function, the role will have a strong Security Operations architecture focus and will be key to ensuring the Security Operations function is successful and effective.   This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the security foundation of one of the world's leading creative transformation companies. You will work on cutting-edge technologies, collaborate with diverse global teams, and directly contribute to protecting WPP's intellectual property, client data, and brand reputation in an evolving digital landscape.   What you'll be doing: Security Architecture Strategy: Develop, maintain, and communicate the domain-specific security architecture vision, strategy, and roadmap, ensuring alignment with WPP's overall enterprise security strategy and business goals. Secure Design & Development: Provide expert architectural guidance and oversight for key projects and initiatives within the domain, advocating for secure design principles, patterns, and practices throughout the software development lifecycle.  Compliance & Governance: Ensure that architectural designs and implementations adhere to relevant regulatory compliance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, ISO 27001) and internal security policies. Participate in security audits and assessments, translating findings into actionable architectural improvements.  Threat & Risk Management: Conduct architectural risk assessments and threat modelling within the domain, identifying potential vulnerabilities and recommending appropriate mitigating controls. Integrate risk management practices into architectural decision-making.  Cybersecurity Integration: Embed advanced cybersecurity concepts, technologies, and best practices (e.g., identity and access management, data protection, network security, incident response capabilities) into the domain's architecture. Standards & Patterns: Define and promote security architecture standards, guidelines, and reusable patterns for the domain to foster consistency, efficiency, and robustness across solutions. Create associated designs and artefacts as the requirement arises.  Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with other Enterprise Architects, Security Operations, CISO office, Development Teams, Product Owners, and Legal/Compliance to translate security requirements into technical solutions and gain consensus on solutions and architectural direction. Technology Evaluation: Research, evaluate, and recommend new security technologies and architectural approaches that can enhance the security posture and efficiency of the domain. Documentation & Communication: Create clear, concise, and comprehensive security architecture documentation, including diagrams, principles, and decision records. Effectively communicate complex security concepts to technical and non-technical audiences. Security Solution Architecture: When required, form, lead and contribute to successful deliver of specific security solutions and workstreams.   What you'll need: * Bachelors\master’s degree in computer science, Information Security, or a related field. * Relevant industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, SABSA, TOGAF, or CCSP are highly desirable. * Architectural Expertise: Proven experience (2+ years) as an Enterprise Architect, Domain Architect, or Security Architect in a large, complex enterprise environment, preferably within the advertising, media, or professional services industry. * Security Frameworks: Deep understanding and practical experience with security architecture frameworks (e.g., NIST, SABSA, TOGAF-ADM with security overlays) and industry best practices. * Cybersecurity Knowledge: Strong understanding of contemporary cybersecurity threats, attack vectors, and defence mechanisms. Experience with various security domains including application security, infrastructure security, data security, cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP), and identity management. * Compliance Acumen: Solid knowledge of data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and other relevant industry compliance standards (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2). * Risk Management: Demonstrated ability to perform security risk analysis, articulate risks to stakeholders, and propose effective architectural mitigations. * Analytical & Problem-Solving: Exceptional analytical skills to decompose complex security challenges into manageable architectural solutions. * Communication & Influence: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence technical teams and senior leadership on security architectural direction. * Technical Acumen: Hands-on experience with security tools and technologies is a plus, enabling informed architectural decisions.   Who you are: You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working. You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected. You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.   What we'll give you: Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work. Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry. Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?   We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. PLEASE READ OUR PRIVACY NOTICE (HTTPS://WWW.WPP.COM/EN/CAREERS/WPP-PRIVACY-POLICY-FOR-RECRUITMENT) FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW WE PROCESS THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE.

Are you a Head of Legal who thrives on navigating complex regulations, partnering with the business, and building a scalable legal function in a highly regulated, high‑growth environment? Soft2Bet is a platform provider delivering casino and sports betting brands.  With a performance‑first approach, the company combines strong product execution, localization and trusted local partnerships to drive sustainable growth across competitive regions, supported by a rigorous compliance culture and a focus on customer experience. 📍 Location: Fort Lee, New Jersey (100% On-site) ⏰ Work Mode: Full-time, office-based (Remote or hybrid work arrangements are not available) The Role 🛠️ As the Head of Legal for U.S. operations, you will be the primary legal architect supporting Soft2Bet’s growth in the New Jersey and wider U.S. market.  You will own a broad portfolio spanning gaming regulation, employment law, corporate governance, real estate, and commercial contracts, working closely with senior leadership to align legal strategy with business objectives.  This role is ideal for a builder who is comfortable both setting strategy and executing, including knowing when to engage and manage specialized outside counsel to support high‑complexity matters. What You’ll Do 🚀 * Lead the U.S. legal function, partnering with the General Counsel and executive leadership on key strategic and operational decisions. * Draft, review, and negotiate a high volume of commercial agreements, including vendor contracts, MSAs, and IP licensing deals with sportsbook and technology partners. * Serve as the primary legal lead on HR-related matters, including employment agreements, non‑competes, internal policies, and NJ‑specific labor and payroll compliance. * Oversee legal aspects of New Jersey office leasing, facilities expansion, and related local land‑use or zoning requirements as the organization grows its physical footprint. * Lead strategic negotiations with external partners, technology providers, and government entities to secure favorable terms while mitigating long‑term legal and regulatory risk. * Oversee corporate governance for the U.S. entity, including resolutions, corporate filings, and internal policy frameworks to ensure ongoing good standing. * Lead all interactions with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) and Casino Control Commission (CCC), overseeing submission and maintenance of all corporate and individual key employee licenses. * Develop and enforce a robust internal compliance framework aligned with “Casino Key Employee” standards and broader U.S. regulatory expectations. * Select, engage, and manage specialized external counsel for high‑complexity litigation, intellectual property, and other niche matters. What We’re Looking For 🎯 * J.D. from an accredited law school and an active U.S. bar license, with New Jersey bar admission or eligibility to register as in‑house counsel in NJ. * 7–10+ years of post‑qualification legal experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role within a startup or high‑growth technology or online services environment. * Demonstrated broad legal literacy across Employment Law, Commercial Contracts, and Real Estate, with a track record of owning matters end‑to‑end. * Proven experience navigating regulations in iGaming, sports betting, or a closely related regulated industry; familiarity with the Casino Control Act is a significant plus. * Strong negotiation skills with experience leading complex, multi‑party commercial and regulatory negotiations. * Ability to translate legal risk into clear, actionable guidance for non‑legal stakeholders and to prioritize pragmatically in a fast‑moving environment. * Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder‑management skills, with experience partnering closely with C‑level leaders. * Proactive, organized, and execution‑focused mindset, comfortable building processes, policies, and documentation from the ground up. Nice to Have ✅ * Direct experience working with New Jersey gaming regulators (DGE, CCC) and managing U.S. gaming licensing processes. * Background supporting international technology, gaming, or digital product organizations expanding into new regulated markets. * Experience structuring and supporting complex partnerships in the online gaming, sportsbook, or casino ecosystem. Why Join Soft2Bet? 💎      ✅ Bonuses: Discretionary, performance based      ✅ Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision + 401(k)      ✅ Time Off: Generous PTO policy      ✅ Perks: Partially subsidized in-office breakfasts and lunches      ✅ Culture: Collaborative, international team that celebrates milestones and wins together      ✅ Growth: Strong opportunities for professional development and ownership within a scaling organization   Soft2Bet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that different perspectives make us stronger and provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants regardless of race, color identity, religion, or any other protected status. If you have the drive and the skills, we want to hear from you. Salary range $250,000—$300,000 USD By submitting your application, you agree to our Privacy Policy.