It matters to us that Team O2 is as diverse as the communities we serve. 

We’re aware that we need more diversity in our senior leadership roles, so we welcome and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. 

Whoever you are, O2 has a place for you. 

Come join us.

About the Team

Virgin Media O2 launched on 1 June 2021, combining the UK’s largest and most reliable mobile network with a broadband network offering the fastest widely available broadband speeds.  We’re a customer-first organisation that brings a range of connectivity services together in one place with a clear mission: to upgrade the UK.  Virgin Media O2 is the corporate brand of the 50:50 joint venture between Liberty Global and Telefónica SA and is one of the UK’s largest businesses.  It’s an incredibly exciting time to join.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Head of Legal – Competition, Regulatory & Competition Policy, this Senior Competition Counsel role comprises a senior member of the legal department, accountable for legal matters relating to Virgin Media O2’s compliance with competition law, as well as providing legal input on telecoms regulatory matters and assistance with competition policy projects, working collaboratively with colleagues in the Regulatory Affairs & Public Policy teams. 

The role is varied and fast-paced ranging from behaviour to transactional matters.  From one day to the next, the Senior Competition Counsels within Virgin Media O2 are responsible, within the business units to which they are allocated as Special Points of Contact (SPOC), for matters ranging from supporting commercial teams with contractual negotiations and business conduct, managing competition investigations (including market investigations, Competition Act investigations, State Aid matters), assisting with merger processes and strategic projects, litigation processes related to competition law and competition compliance.

The Senior Competition Counsel will work collaboratively with the two other Senior Competition counsel in the team, as well as other legal colleagues within the General Counsel’s Office (GCO) and be accountable for the efficient and effective execution of material matters, including timely and accurate reporting to the Head of Legal – Competition, Regulation and Competition Policy, Director of Competition, Regulation and Litigation, General Counsel (GC) and the EC. Working with the GC and other senior leaders within the GCO, this individual will play a key role in shaping Virgin Media O2’s legal strategy and in the delivery of key initiatives across a broad range of matters.

Key Responsibilities

Assists in leadership within competition and regulatory team, supporting the development of standards and practices for competition and regulatory legal compliance, seeking feedback from the business and external partners to ensure quality of service.

Execution of strategic legal advice as a SPOC for particular areas of the business and relevant Senior Leadership Team members: formulating legal strategy, identifying risk, working autonomously (with little or no supervision) across a broad range of competition and regulatory matters, escalating as appropriate, recommending mitigation and implementing solutions, demonstrating proficiency at handling multiple demands and working calmly under pressure to meet business challenges.

Delivers the provision of legal advice and support to the Regulatory Affairs team within the GCO on matters including investigations, projects, and policy.

Represents the business in external cross-industry relationships and forums.

Horizon scans and keeps abreast of UK and EU policy developments that might impact Virgin Media O2 and its shareholders; works collaboratively with the Public Policy and Public Affairs teams on Virgin Media O2 policy positioning and stakeholder engagement.

Trusted, influential and credible member of the business team, whilst maintaining the necessary independence and integrity of a senior legal advisor.  Influences at all levels, acts as a source of counsel and sounding board, participates in the setting of divisional business strategy and acts as a catalyst, with confidence and gravitas, challenging the status quo, pushing back when appropriate, providing lateral thinking.

Create credible and effective ‘client’ relationships across all levels, including the highest levels of management. Influencing EC members and their Leadership Teams.

May have direct reports, e.g., legal counsel, paralegals, or support staff.

Work effectively to appraise, review, and provide strong critical thinking on major deals, bringing fresh perspective and insight, challenging thinking, and providing creative solutions to complex problems.

Provide a leadership role to Legal overall:

motivates, develops, and elevates Legal team colleagues by role modelling, championing the business partner model, setting clear direction, sharing knowledge and expertise

manages effective workflow, actively working alongside team members to drive high performance

Develops and ensure adherence to agreed standards and ensure good governance

Proven discretion and ability to deal with sensitive issues and to influence at all levels.

What We Need from You:

Essential Skills:

•              Recognised professional in UK and EU competition law with a track record in providing strategic legal advice, with good understanding of the industry, regulatory backdrop and key issues facing Virgin Media O2.

•              Experience of providing clear, credible commercially focused advice confidently and to influence and manage key relationships at all levels, including the highest levels of management.

•              Experience in dealing with competition authorities and regulators and handling formal or informal requests for information against pressured timetables (e.g., as part of M&A or market investigations).

•              Experience with compliance programmes and crafting and delivering bespoke training needs for business units.

•              Ability to solve unique and sophisticated problems that have a broad impact on the business in a creative way.

•              Ability to anticipate regulatory and competition challenges.

•              Ability to handle external legal and economists’ resources effectively, including budget management.

•              Proven discretion and ability to deal with sensitive issues, escalating as appropriate.

•              Self-sufficient and proactive with sound business acumen, demonstrating ability to understand the core business issues and challenges

•              Strong moral/ethical convictions.

•              Capable of providing temporary cover for N-3 Head of Competition, Regulatory & Competition Policy where required.

•              Degree level education / relevant professional qualifications

•              Highly experienced lawyer who has a track record of working either at senior level in a highly commercial environment or private legal practice

•              Extensive and demonstrable legal experience, gained both in private legal practice and, ideally, in industry as well

Desirable:

A ‘doer’ as well as thinker – exercises sound judgement and strength in both strategy and delivery. Versatile, practical, and professional and confident in dealing with ambiguity. Able to solve complex problems, innovate and bring fresh ideas and thinking to the table.  Solutions orientated and able to simplify complex matters.

Recognised as a dynamic and pro-active leader, proficient in managing senior stakeholders with gravitas and confidence, building effective relationships across an organisation.

Exudes high energy and is results focused, with the ability to operate in a very fast paced and high-pressure environment, keeping pace with the business and driving execution whilst managing pressure and working calmly and quickly in crisis situations; managing multiple material matters at any one time, “fire-fighting” where necessary whilst maintaining excellent service in “business as usual” matters.

Ability to think and act quickly on their feet. Strong instincts.

Politically astute.

Self-knowledge – ability to know own limits and to manage these.

Great team player, collaborative, and flexible attitude and generous in sharing knowledge and expertise with others.

Track record of execution

Excellent communication skills.

Location(s):  Slough/ Flexible 

We’ll be sending you emails about the status of your application. To make sure you receive these, please add @O2.com and @telefonica.com to your Safe Senders list.

We’re looking to pay a great compensation package (depending on experience) for this position. We also offer plenty of extras to sweeten the deal, which could include things like bonuses, life assurance cover, health care and lots of flexible benefits.  

Also, every employee has their personal development supported with a LinkedIn learning account; plus other role specific learning available through our award-winning digital learning platform - O2 Campus. 

We also believe a great work-life balance is important, so we’re open to considering flexible working arrangements. Like to know more, feel free to raise it.  

Join us and we’ll encourage you to be bold every day. So take a deep breath, your career is about to go to exciting new places. 

If you have any questions around the role then please email ResourceTUK@o2.com who will be happy to help.