Lead Counsel MVNx

Join Us

At Vodafone, we’re not just shaping the future of connectivity for our customers – we’re shaping the future for everyone who joins our team. When you work with us, you’re part of a global mission to connect people, solve complex challenges, and create a sustainable and more inclusive world. If you want to grow your career whilst finding the perfect balance between work and life, Vodafone offers the opportunities to help you belong and make a real impact.

What you’ll do

The Lead Counsel role will support the MVNx project as sole counsel and play a pivitol role in joining the cross-functional project team, helping them to get set up, work together and stay aligned. It is critical to understand the inner workings of Vodafone and the complexities in structures and inter company agreements across the Group. 
   
At its heart, the individual in this role must have critical skills such as deep commercial contracting knowledge, concise drafting skills, the ability to influence very demanding stakeholders, and the ability to deliver complex information into clear articulate reporting to enable proper decisions whilst developing deep expertise to deal with global regulatory and commercial matters. This requires a proactive approach and can do attitude. 

• Advanced Legal Expertise

Regulatory Compliance: Strong understanding of telecom regulations, GDPR and equivalent data privacy laws, and cross‑border legal frameworks.
Contract Structuring: Skilled in drafting and negotiating complex agreements with partners, vendors, and regulators.
Risk & Compliance: Ability to identify and mitigate multi‑jurisdictional legal and compliance risks.
Transactional Experience: Corporate transactions, including customer base acquisitions and M&A activities.

• Technology & Platform Knowledge

Digital Ecosystems: Familiar with mobile platforms, APIs, and interoperability standards.
Cybersecurity & Data Protection: Expertise in safeguarding and managing user data across borders.
Emerging Tech: Understanding of AI, cloud, and blockchain implications for mobile services.

• Strategic & Commercial Acumen

Business Integration: Aligning legal structures with commercial goals for seamless platform launches.
Cross‑Border Strategy: Knowledge of international trade laws and telecom licensing.
Partnership Management: Experience structuring global alliances and joint ventures.

• Leadership & Influence

Stakeholder Engagement: Strong communicator with executives, regulators, and technical teams; confident presenting to ExCo and managing challenges from senior stakeholders.
Risk Communication: Able to clearly articulate and assess business risks.
Change Management: Driving adoption of legal processes in fast-paced tech environments.
Sole Contributor: Effective prioritisation and delivery as single counsel.
Negotiation: Skilled in high-stakes global negotiations.
Influencer & Challenger: Able to influence senior stakeholders, handle cross-functional dynamics, and challenge decisions when necessary.
Resource Management: Experience instructing and managing external counsel efficiently.

• Cultural & Ethical Competence

Global Mindset: Awareness of cultural and legal nuances across regions.
Ethical Leadership: Ensures integrity and compliance in all jurisdictions.
Communication & Relationships: Strong interpersonal skills; able to present confidently to senior internal and external stakeholders and manage confrontation effectively.
Multidisciplinary Advice: Capable of advising on shareholder agreements, TSAs, governance, risk management, co sec issues, and disputes without additional support.
Commercial Judgment: Comfortable interpreting ambiguous terms and advising without reliance on external lawyers.
Adaptability: Works effectively under pressure; prioritises well in dynamic environments.
Industry Knowledge: Understanding of current telecom issues; strong analytical and drafting skills with a commercial mindset.

Who you are

• Qualified solicitor or equivalent with extensive commercial and corporate experience.
• Significant exposure to complex environments, technical commercial drafting, very strong stakeholder management, strong influencing skills and in-house experience.
• Proven experience in dealing with conflicts and resolution of senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to join the dots for the organisation and eliminate siloed working. 

Not a perfect fit?

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about empowering people and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to still apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another opportunity.

What's in it for you

Yearly bonus: 20%
Company car: company funded car of £580 per month + private fuel or cash alternative of £630
per month.
Annual leave: 28 days + bank holidays + the opportunity to buy/sell/carry over 5 days/year
Charity days: 5 days/year
Maternity leave: 52 weeks: the first 13 weeks are fully paid, followed by 26 weeks of half pay
Private pension: You can contribute up to 5% of your basic pay with 2:1 matching from Vodafone up to 10%.
Access to: private medical, private dental, free health assessments, share save scheme
Additional discounts: Vodafone retail, gym, cinema, cycle to work, season ticket loan

Who we are

We are a leading international Telco, serving millions of customers. At Vodafone, we believe that connectivity is a force for good. If we use it for the things that really matter, it can improve people's lives and the world around us. Through our technology we empower people, connecting everyone regardless of who they are or where they live and we protect the planet, whilst helping our customers do the same.

Belonging at Vodafone isn't a concept; it's lived, breathed, and cultivated through everything we do. You'll be part of a global and diverse community, with many different minds, abilities, backgrounds and cultures. ;We're committed to increase diversity, ensure equal representation, and make Vodafone a place everyone feels safe, valued and included.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, please refer to https://careers.vodafone.com/application-adjustments/ for guidance.

Together we can.