Disputes Counsel
Location: Newbury + *Hybrid
Salary: Excellent basic salary plus bonus and Vodafone benefits
Working Hours: Full Time
*Hybrid
At Vodafone UK we believe that through collaboration and connection with our colleagues we can achieve great things. Our hybrid working approach allows our people to work both in the office and at home, providing the flexibility and resources you need to succeed in your role. We don't require you to be in on specific days; instead, we ask people to come into the office 2-3 days each week, on average 8 days a month. Our “Office in a Box” home working kit will provide you with everything you need, no matter where you are.
Who We Are
We’re a global technology communications company that empowers people and businesses to stay connected and thrive in a digital world. With a focus on innovation, sustainability and earning customer loyalty, we leverage cutting-edge technology to offer products and services that enhance communication and improve lives.
At Vodafone UK, diversity isn’t just a buzzword, it is core to who we are as a company. We’re proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work and are committed to driving inclusion for all; creating a workplace that is fully representative of the communities and customers we serve.
Join us at the heart of Vodafone UK in Corporate, one of the central support functions that underpin our business and keep us moving forward. We provide centralised support, expertise and guidance across our UK and Group operations, continuing to build on our success and trailblazing the way to our next stage of digital growth.
What you’ll do
The Disputes Counsel role sits within the Vodafone UK multi-disciplinary Legal Risk Management Team. The role provides pragmatic, proactive and solution focused commercial disputes advice, in accordance with Vodafone’s values on a wide range of matters and includes managing a range of disputes arising in Vodafone’s day to day business, as both Claimant and Defendant. Key accountabilities include:
- Commercial Dispute Resolution Advice, including:
- Providing strategic business and legal advice in relation to any disputes that may arise across the business, either as actual or potential Claimant or Defendant.
- Teams within the business that role regularly supports include: Supply Chain, Networks, Consumer, Collections and others;
- Identify and mitigate pre-litigation risk issues threatening the business by providing advice and guidance to the wider Legal team and to the business direct; and
- Liaising with our external panel of law firms to manage issued claims, overall risk as well as maximising value from these relationships.
- Ability to manage commercial disputes matters independently, adapt and manage competing priorities independently and provide advice in a timely and efficient manner with appropriate supervision.
- Produces concise, clear internal briefing notes and advice with ability to brief stakeholders at all levels (including the board) both verbally and in writing.
- Collaborates effectively with other parts of the UK Legal Teams.
- Assisting with updating precedents, transformation activities, internal briefing notes and providing ongoing training to stakeholders and legal colleagues.
Who you are
- Knowledge and experience of commercial disputes law and procedure, either from in-house or private practice.
- Excellent communication skills. Able to deliver concise, clear advice and training according to the audience.
- Proficient drafting skills with ability to draft complex correspondence, settlement agreements and contractual documents when required.
- Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to build and maintain an excellent network of contacts across the business.
- Willingness to support junior members of the team.
Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about Inclusion for All 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 apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.
What we offer
We believe that taking care of our employees is the key to their success. That is why we offer an excellent remuneration and bonus package with up to 28 days holiday entitlement, in addition to bank holidays and paid leave for charity projects. We offer an extensive benefits package that can be tailored to suit you and your family, including employee discounts, retail vouchers, pension plan and share schemes. We take pride in our commitment to supporting you at every stage of your career by providing top of the range learning and development tools and market leading parental leave policies.
Together we can
Vodafone UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and all offers of employment for this role are subject to background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks to meet the regulators standards.
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, a sign language interpreter, or assistive technology, please refer to the Accessibility section of our Careers website (https://careers.vodafone.com/uk/applying-to-vodafone/) for guidance.
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