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

Head of Legal – Network Expansion, the Senior Counsel, Network Expansion is a senior member of the legal department, accountable for legal matters relating to Virgin Media O2’s network expansion and build activities and plays a key role in shaping and supporting build strategy and the delivery of key network expansion initiatives.

About the Role:

The Senior Counsel Network Expansion will be proactive and adept at engaging across functions, whilst providing best in class divisional legal business partnering to senior divisional stakeholders/EC members, leading key initiatives across a broad range of matters, analysing complex legal and commercial issues, challenging the business, developing strategies, creating tangible improvements in business performance and communicating legal advice constructively and succinctly.

The Senior Counsel, Network Expansion will also be accountable for the efficient and effective execution and delivery of material contracts and matters, including timely and accurate completion of reports to the Head of Legal – Network Expansion, General Counsel and EC

Working with the General Counsel, Directors of Legal and other Heads of Legal, 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

Functional leadership responsibilities

•              Accountable for owning a broad range of complex commercial legal matters of significant strategic and/or financial value, driving effective execution of major projects, identifying risk, escalating as appropriate, recommending mitigation and implementing solutions, with primary responsibility for ensuring key strategic deliverables are met in relation to Virgin Media O2’s network expansion and build activities, particularly:

o              Accountability for network expansion contracts, construction contracts, appointments and ancillary documents for Virgin Media O2’s property investment programme, commercial contracts to secure wayleaves and customer referrals from partners, build related agreements to include:

             ensuring all agreements are in place on appropriate terms and to include sufficient protection and rights of recourse for Virgin Media O2

             advising business and leading on disputes arising under such contracts

             proactive participation in contract management, ensuring processes are in place to ensure contracts are operated according to their terms, raising upcoming key milestones and creating and governing a clear escalation path for ongoing issues

             external benchmarking of contract terms – to ensure continuous reinvention

             strategic direction on renewal of deals, and connecting various deals

o              Ensuring best practice in corporate governance across the network operations – working with appropriate teams internally to ensure appropriate executive oversight and that business is conducted in compliance with best practice and applicable laws and regulations

o              Providing legal advice, analysis and counsel in relation to industry best practice and effective structures to manage legal and regulatory risk in connection with Virgin Media O2’s network expansion and build activities, including review of internal policies (including Health and Safety and People policies)

o              Working with other areas of the legal department to address strategic issues in relation to network expansion, e.g. wayleaves, legislative changes/consultations, liaison with government and local authorities

•              Create precedents in the industry by providing sound commercial legal advice, based on extensive understanding of the competition, industry, the bigger organisational picture and key issues facing our business.

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

•              Recognised as a trusted 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.

•              Able to work autonomously, with judgement as to when escalation is appropriate, keeping the Head of Legal – Network Expansion, and other relevant parties informed as to material issues, presenting clearly and precisely, enabling senior stakeholders to understand key facts and issues.

•              Support other areas when necessary, taking on responsibilities in other areas of the business, e.g. picking up complex deals on an as needed basis.

Team management responsibilities:

•              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:

o              motivate, develop and elevate Legal team colleagues by role modelling, championing the business partner model, setting clear direction, sharing knowledge and expertise

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

o              Develop and ensure adherence to agreed standards and ensure good governance

•              Manage and liaise with external legal resources to achieve relevant goals within budget, managing external spend and providing regular reports to cost centre managers.

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

•              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 and inspirational leader of others with collaborative and flexible attitude to step in and handle other legal matters on an "as required" basis.

•              Track record of execution

•              Excellent communication skills, expert influencer and negotiator

What We Need from You:

Essential Skills:

•              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 and commercial experience, gained both in private practice and a top city-style law firm and in house

•              Recognised Legal expert in Construction law and infrastructure projects (ideally in  telecoms industry or other comparable sectors, e.g. utilities) with proven track record of execution in leading significant, high profile related matters in commercial contracts. Excellent working knowledge of NEC4 and JCT contract suites.

•              Knowledge of Health and Safety Law.

•              Good working knowledge of wayleaves

•              Excellent drafting skills and ability to analyse complex legal and commercial issues, develops strategies and proposes commercial solutions to clients and colleagues

•              Strong project management skills.

•              Diplomatic and highly articulate: expert influencer and negotiator who communicates points constructively and succinctly

•              Proven discretion and ability to deal with sensitive issues

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

•              Demonstrable leadership qualities and experience, both across legal departments and within cross-functional senior teams:

•              Able to bring people along with them: track record in developing team members

•              Capable of leading through change and transformation

•              Strong moral/ethical convictions

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. 

Apply now »