LEGAL COUNSEL

Overview
Welcome to National Broadband Ireland (NBI), where we’re leading one of the most significant and ambitious telecommunications initiatives in the world. We’re tasked with delivering, operating and maintaining Ireland’s new, high-speed wholesale broadband network as part of the National Broadband Plan (“NBP”).
Our mission: To deliver a world class, high-speed broadband service that enables equal access to every person in the Irish State’s Intervention Area.
The NBI network is set to connect over 1.1 million people and more than 564,000 premises across Ireland. Our focus extends beyond mere connectivity; we’re dedicated to promoting inclusivity and driving socioeconomic development by empowering every town, village, and community with high-speed fibre broadband.
NBI is not just a project; it’s a long-term commitment. With responsibility for managing the national broadband network for the next 25 years, we’re committed to sustainable growth and continuous innovation in the telecommunications sector.
355,549 homes, farms and businesses have been passed with NBI fibre out of the 564,000 currently included in the NBP Intervention Area and over 125,000 premises are now connected.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Qualified Solicitor with 4+ years’ PQE (private practice and/or in-house).
• Confident managing a broad and varied caseload, from long-term or strategic projects to fluid or urgent daily operational matters.
• Skilled at delivering pragmatic, considered, business-friendly legal advice across functions.
• A natural problem-solver, curious, proactive, and comfortable owning projects through to completion.
• Strong risk assessment instincts and a practical, commercially aware approach.
• Proven ability to draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements — including construction, IT, and commercial contracts.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organised, with sharp attention to detail and strong admin discipline.
• Ideally, experience in Construction/PPP and/or Corporate/Commercial law.
• A genuine interest in the Irish telecoms industry is a plus.
• Committed to upholding high ethical standards and a culture of transparency.
• Excellent ambassador for NBI, promoting the organisation and role modelling NBI’s values

NBI is looking for an in-house legal counsel to join its dynamic, fast-paced and collaborative team, reporting to the Head of Legal. If you love variety in your day, enjoy balancing complex projects with quick-turnaround challenges, and want to make a real impact to the telecoms sector — we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a trusted legal advisor by understanding the business, risk appetite, and NBP project commitments, providing clear, practical advice on a wide range of matters.
• Own the contracting process end-to-end — from involvement in procurement to drafting, negotiating, and executing a range of commercial contracts.
• Align and coordinate with internal stakeholders to drive clarity and consistency through every stage of the contracting process.
• Provide strategic advice on contentious and potentially contentious issues, supporting effective dispute avoidance and resolution strategies.
• Offer clear, commercially minded guidance on contractual interpretation and negotiation tactics to secure favourable outcomes.
• Support the business in monitoring and complying with Irish and EU legal and regulatory obligations.
• Help operational teams embed key contractual requirements, balancing practical delivery needs with governance and compliance risk.
• Deliver timely, business-focused legal advice across multiple departments, ensuring legal documentation and compliance processes are in place and up to date.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and growth of the legal function, promoting excellence and delivering training and knowledge-sharing initiatives across the business.
• Identify opportunities to streamline internal processes and introduce new tools to improve legal service delivery and efficiency.
• Manage and oversee external counsel, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective advice and support.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Qualified Solicitor with 4+ years’ PQE (private practice and/or in-house).
• Confident managing a broad and varied caseload, from long-term or strategic projects to fluid or urgent daily operational matters.
• Skilled at delivering pragmatic, considered, business-friendly legal advice across functions.
• A natural problem-solver, curious, proactive, and comfortable owning projects through to completion.
• Strong risk assessment instincts and a practical, commercially aware approach.
• Proven ability to draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements — including construction, IT, and commercial contracts.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organised, with sharp attention to detail and strong admin discipline.
• Ideally, experience in Construction/PPP and/or Corporate/Commercial law.
• A genuine interest in the Irish telecoms industry is a plus.
• Committed to upholding high ethical standards and a culture of transparency.
• Excellent ambassador for NBI, promoting the organisation and role modelling NBI’s values.