Commercial Lawyer - Private Sector

About the role

We keep over 1 million business customers connected in 180 countries. We run the fixed and mobile networks that cover 99% of the UK’s non-residential premises, underpin critical national infrastructure and public services and enable trade. We support more than three million more end-users through our UK wholesale operations. Our customers range from big household names, government departments and public service organisations right through to small businesses and new start-ups.

The role holder will report to the Principal Lawyer - Private Sector, and will provide first class legal, commercial and contractual services to the UK Sales and Commercial vertical of BT’s Business unit to help Business achieve its strategic goals. The role holder will also support Business Legal’s transformation programme, with a focus on how AI can improve the way we support the business.

The role holder will be responsible for working with cross-functional teams across BT to deliver high-quality legal support and advice on complex commercial and legal matters including:

• drafting and negotiating complex customer contracts and advising on associated in-life contractual issues and disputes;
• working with an intricate supply chain to negotiate operating agreements and flow-downs from the customer contracts to multiple key subcontractors;
• advising on associated in-life contractual issues and disputes; and
• advising on key legal and regulatory risks.

What you’ll be doing

• The role holder will lead for Legal on bids regarded as being medium in complexity but also support more senior lawyers on higher complexity deals.
• Give clear and pragmatic legal guidance (and formal advice where appropriate) that helps UK Sales and Commercial understand legal risk, and maximise opportunity.
• Working with members of the wider business on a range of legal matters, including disputes, new initiatives, legal interpretation and legislative changes.
• Develop and comply with BT’s legal and compliance policies and strategies, including development and utilisation of standard contracts for provision of standard product offerings.
• Influence the strategic approach taken for the bids they are leading working with the deal leads.
• Assist in managing our external legal providers.
• Promote a compliance culture and model that is second to none in the industry and becomes an important selling tool for customer retention and new business acquisition.
• Identifying other governance and compliance issues within and referring them to appropriate owners and support functions.
• Promote effective risk management – identifying, assessing and managing legal and commercial risk.
• Drive up levels of legal and commercial awareness across Enterprise.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Legal & CoSec to support cross-working on UK Sales and Commercial matters and other legal matters across BT.

Build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders to understand their business, strategy and goals.

Essential Skills / Experience

We’re looking for a commercially minded, pragmatic team player with excellent people and management skills who has the relevant experience and capability to understand the ‘bigger picture’ issues, risks and opportunities, as well as the detail where required.

• PQE: Must be a qualified Lawyer (NQ upwards) or proven relevant experience.
• Proven experience of working in a fast-paced legal environment (ideally in-house and/or in the Telecoms & Technology sector), working on all manner of commercial contracts, providing commercial legal advice across a variety of disciplines (where relevant, with specialist inputs) including contract law and data privacy.
• Experience leading medium complex bids in either an inhouse/T&T sector and worked on commercial deals ranging upwards of £10m

Desirable Skills / Experience

• Private Sector experience: Proven track record of dealing with customers who sit in heavily regulated industry sectors such as Finance, Infrastructure, Construction, Manufacturing, Transport, Media Tech Comms, Retail, Business Services, Acquisition, Inside Sales.
• Security clearance: Have or be willing to obtain levels of security clearance.
• Risk Management: an understanding of the approach taken to balancing contractual risk with the overall reward on offer from a customer contract and a clear understanding of the link between commercial drivers of a transaction and the contractual terms.
• Drive & Enthusiasm: must be self-motivated, capable of working independently with drive and enthusiasm, and being part of a team.
• Communication & Analytical Skills: must possess strong communication and analytical skills in building the case for change, and possess the ability to communicate complex matters to the business and manage senior stakeholders.
• Business Acumen: knowledgeable in business strategy and the drivers of organisational performance, including people drivers of performance and financial literacy.
• Pragmatic: The role holder must be pragmatic and solutions driven.

Our Package

Tailored benefits make a real difference. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range to support your growth, wellbeing, and

everyday life. You can design the package to suit you and your lifestyle. Your core benefits include:

• 10% on target annual bonus

• Access to an online private GP 24/7 for you and your immediate family

• Market-leading paid carers leave with up to 2 weeks off

• Equalised maternity, paternity, and adoption leave – 18 weeks’ full pay and 8 weeks’ half pay

• Discounted EE and BT products, including mobile and broadband

• Market leading Pension scheme – 5% from you and 10% from us

• Holiday purchase scheme

You can select additional benefits, including healthcare, dental, gym memberships and more when you’re ready.