Legal Counsel - Commercial

at  Vodafone

Location: Newbury or London (hybrid working)
Salary: Excellent basic salary plus bonus and Vodafone benefits
Working Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week – Mon to Fri

WHO WE ARE

We’re a global technology communications company that empowers people and businesses to stay connected and thrive in a digital world. With a focus on innovation, sustainability and earning customer loyalty, we leverage cutting-edge technology to offer products and services that enhance communication and improve lives.
At Vodafone UK, diversity isn’t just a buzzword, it is core to who we are as a company. We’re proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work and are committed to driving inclusion for all; creating a workplace that is fully representative of the communities and customers we serve.

Commercial Counsel within the Vodafone UK Commercial Legal Team, providing proactive and solutions-focussed commercial legal advice on a wide range of commercial contracts with a particular focus on: (i) strategic procurement, technology and business development projects; (iii) wholesale mobile and connectivity contractual arrangements; and (iv) fixed and mobile carrier arrangements.
Drafting and leading the negotiation of a wide range of high value, high risk and/or strategic commercial contracts,
including in relation to:
the procurement of goods and serviceso the provision of wholesale mobile services to Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and leases and licences of spectrum
the provision of connectivity to customers on a wholesale basis
carrier services: interconnect and other services received from or provided to other carriers, such as SMS, interconnect and number porting
UK network projects and network sharing arrangements
business development activities and other strategic projects
Providing pragmatic and solution-oriented legal advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders, including
Supply Chain Management (SCM), Device & Operations, Wholesale, Networks and Business Development & Strategy teams and their leadership teams.
Instructing outside counsel and monitoring advice given by external solicitors and ensuring it is appropriately disseminated to internal customers.
In the case of disputes, working closely with the Disputes legal team to determine position and strategy, advise the relevant internal customers and achieve resolution.
Legal support, contract drafting and negotiation of inter-company agreements related to the team’s areas of responsibility.
Developing and maintaining good relationships with key stakeholders to ensure issues are resolved quickly and escalating where necessary.
Assisting Senior Counsel with the supervision of trainees and paralegals in the Team.
Assisting with ongoing programmes of updating templates and internal briefing notes and providing ongoing training to ensure that key stakeholders contract as efficiently as possible and in a way that manages key legal risks.
Collaborating effectively with other parts of the UK Legal Team, and legal teams in Vodafone Group and other Vodafone operating companies, to share ideas, learnings and best practice
Who you are
Good technical grounding in general commercial and contract law.
A track record of advising on a number of material commercial transactions
Experience of managing multiple work streams and multiple stakeholders, meet deadlines and work under pressure
Good decision making skills and ability to identify and communicate key risks to internal customers and UK legal management team.
Strong appetite to learn about Vodafone UK’s business in particular (a) in highest spending procurement categories such as IT, Networks and Device Operations; (b) its wholesale business lines, (b) major outsourcing projects; and (c) strategic network technology projects.
Ability to operate effectively with the Commercial legal team, other parts of the UK legal team and Vodafone Group legal teams to deliver high quality coordinated legal advice in a way that embodies Vodafone’s values of speed, simplicity and trust.
Desire to work in a multi-disciplined team and to expand expertise into new practice areas within the team’s remit.
University honours degree (second class or better) or equivalent higher education qualification.
Qualified lawyer (Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive or equivalent) with approximately 1-4 years (or equivalent) post-qualification experience practising in either private practice or in an in-house role. Any reference to PQE is a guide only, and any applicant who can demonstrate the required skill set will be considered regardless of PQE.
Proficient drafting skills and able to draft standard commercial contracts, with ability to draft more complex contracts under supervision.
Good negotiation and influencing skills and able to lead legal negotiations on commercial contracts and drive projects to successful completion.
Sound knowledge of relevant areas of law and a clear understanding of the commercial and legal risks with a demonstratable ability to take a proactive and solutions-focussed approach.
Excellent communication skills and able to deliver concise, clear, commercial and logical advice tailored to the audience.
Able to act unsupervised on standard commercial contracts, and under supervision on more complex matters, and to demonstrate sound commercial judgement.
Telecoms sector experience highly desirable but not essential.
Experience of working in an in-house environment desirable but not essential.
Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.