We’re looking for a VP, Senior Commercial Counsel in London UK

In a senior management capacity to provide first class general and specialist business and legal leadership and support as a part of the management / leadership of the Commercial Legal team (working closely with the MD) on all aspects of its general commercial, outsourcing and procurement and technology contract work including working closely as a key business partner to Liberty Procurement Services and Liberty Tech and teams (and any Opco’s and investments as needed) (the “Group”) .  The role will have a particular focus on managing the legal support for customer premise equipment and service delivery platform procurement and technology related legal projects and contracts [it may also manage network operations and IT]. The role would also manage a developing new area of AI.

Key Accountabilities

Liberty Global has steadily grown in complexity and scope with the launch of many new products and services across the Group requiring ever increasing support from the legal team to advise on, draft and negotiate contracts in line with such support.  This role will require the VP to:

• act as lead point of contact to senior management (including Liberty Procurement Services and Liberty Tech VPs and MD’s) and the management of the business units in considering the legal aspects associated with business operations of the Group;

• manage and oversee the preparation, determination of strategy and technical details relating to contract negotiations with third parties, and thereby help to bring about a result which is in the best possible interests of the Group;

• build a Legal AI practise deep into the team and support the nascent ambitions of Liberty Tech in all its AI related projects including all aspects of Project Jordan at a central and OpCo level, liaise with local counsel and GC’s to ensure co-ordination and best practice in this area is shared and exercised across the Group, work with Digital Confidence team and input into governance, policy and ethics re AI, work with LPS to ensure co-ordination on all new AI / Gen AI tech introduced (whether PoC / trials or full build projects) and educate Legal department to base level of competency re AI issues;

• work closely with the Managing Director and other VPs in the Commercial Legal team as part of the leadership group to help drive and assist in the improvement in quality of legal services across the Group and wider business;

• manage and supervise one senior direct report (Director SDP) and at least one other Senior Legal Counsel (possibly two) which will involve coaching the less experienced members of the team and oversee their work and bring them on to work more independently and realise their full potential;

• provide legal assistance in resolving disputes and conflicts, and to co-ordintate the involvement of external lawyers in the event of legal proceedings being taken and liaise with lead litigation lawyer internally as relevant;

• work hand in glove with the Regulatory and CA team on all issues relating to competition and regulatory advice and take note of and manage all new regulations and laws and ensure seamless integration for compliance with such matters in the day to day workings of the Legal team and LPS processes;

• project manage legal aspects of commercial transactions to ensure execution within the required timescales and budget;

• work on significant, high value, complex and groundbreaking outsourcings either alone or with another VP and support the Liberty Tech team in its objectives to deliver world class services whilst also delivering efficiencies to the Group;

• working in collaboration with Liberty Global’s Legal M&A team to provide commercial legal support in connection with M&A transactions of the Group (including in relation to procurement and transitional services);

• to keep abreast at all times of relevant legal developments, and also developments in the business arena and across units, so as to be able to maximize the quality of support provided to the management of those units; and

• drive the definition and execution of Legal policies concerning commercial contracts entered into across the Group, having a sufficiently high level of professional seniority as a result of a wide variety of work experience and a broad network of contacts.

Knowledge & Experience

• Qualified lawyer with significant PQE (gained in private practice and preferably industry

• Experience of the technology sector and a desire to learn and keep abreast of developments.

• Broad knowledge of international commercial law including intellectual property and some corporate law  / M&A exposure.

• Experience managing direct reports, coaching and developing talent.

• Demonstrable leadership qualities – being able to be the face of Legal with senior stakeholders including ELT and communicate with gravitas and tact when the message is hard to deliver, engender trust as the final word on Legal.

• Experience in driving, managing and being accountable for workstreams/teams/complex transactions across different jurisdictions.

• Outstanding work ethic a must – demonstrable can-do attitude and problem solving commercial approach.

• Holder of at least one post-graduate Legal/Business qualification (LLM, MBA) or having successfully completed similar internal management courses  

• Strong communication and project management skills.

• Team player and capable of working with/leading teams and individuals from different disciplines and cultures.

• Sophisticated and strategic thinker in line with the overall objectives of the Group leading definition/execution of policy in support of such objectives.

• Writing skills, for expressing matters, contracts, reports, etc., in legal terms accurately, pragmatically and inventively.

• Strong ethics and strength of conviction.

• Fluency in English.

• Ability to travel as and when required (short haul / not frequent).

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary + Bonus

• 25 days annual leave with the option to purchase 5 more

• Access to wellbeing and mental health benefits such as the Calm app, personal medical, critical illness cover and dental insurance

• Matched pension contribution up to 10%

• Access to our car benefit scheme and our online learning platform to continue to develop and grow your career with us

• The chance to join an innovative, fast-paced and passionate team

Who we are:

We’re building Tomorrow’s Connections Today, bringing people together through the power of our technology.

Liberty Global is a world leader in converged broadband, video and mobile communications and an active investor in cutting-edge infrastructure, content and technology ventures.

With our investments in fibre-based and 5G networks we play a vital role in society, currently providing over 85 million fixed and mobile connections and rolling out the next generation of products and services, while readying our networks for 10 Gbps and beyond.

We’re creating national champions, combining the best broadband and mobile networks under brands such as Virgin Media-02 in the UK, VodafoneZiggo in The Netherlands, Telenet in Belgium, Sunrise in Switzerland, Virgin Media in Ireland and UPC in Slovakia.

Liberty Global Ventures, our global investment arm, has a portfolio of more than 75 companies and funds across content, technology and infrastructure, including strategic stakes in ITV, Univision, Plume, Lionsgate and the Formula E racing series.

Our scale enables us to transfer knowledge and expertise across our operations and investments, creating a dynamic family of brands united in the pursuit of innovation and excellence.

And we’re prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplace and communities, while reducing our impact on the environment. We are using technology as a force for good; for our people, our partners and the planet.

Liberty Global is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our people. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process. We’re 100% committed to having a workforce that represents every part of our society. So we’re keen to hear from candidates of all background and circumstances.