Senior Corporate Counsel

Job Description

Overview

Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our culture is centred on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. In doing so, we create life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world. You can help us achieve our mission.

Do you want to work in a company that is transforming the world? How about working on cutting-edge issues, with world class clients and the support of a global community of seasoned professionals? If you are ready to work directly with business leaders and their teams to solve problems and drive change, then a career with the Microsoft legal team is for you.

We have an immediate opening for a highly motivated and experienced commercial lawyer to join the Microsoft UK & Ireland Legal Affairs team in CELA (Corporate, External and Legal Affairs). The position is based at our offices in London and will report to the Head of Legal Affairs for UK and Ireland.

This individual will be the lead lawyer for the Microsoft / LSEG Partnership and support the sales teams for our commercial and public sector customers.

LSEG Partnership

As the lead lawyer for the LSEG Partnership, responsibilities include providing comprehensive legal guidance and general counsel to the Vice-President of the LSEG Partnership and their leadership team who are located both in the UK and in our headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The partnership is focused on a range of initiatives, including but not limited to:

• New collaboration to architect LSEG’s data infrastructure and build intuitive next-generation productivity, data and analytics and modelling solutions with Microsoft Azure, AI, and Microsoft Teams.
• Step-change in services for customers across the financial markets value chain, including an enhanced version of LSEG Workspace with seamless Teams communication and Microsoft 365 interoperability with built-in compliance for the first time.
• LSEG’s data platform and other key technology infrastructure to migrate to Microsoft Azure, enhancing its existing cloud migration strategy.
• Co-investment in the product development roadmap for the data platform, Workspace, and analytics initiatives.

Commercial and Public Sector

In addition to leading legal support for the LSEG Partnership, this individual will also be a strategic and legal advisor to other industries within the UK and Ireland business, working together with the sales teams to accelerate AI adoption and transformation at scale.

This includes advising on complex legal and regulatory matters, reviewing new business models, supporting transactions with public sector customers and removing legal blockers to the consumption of Microsoft’s Cloud and AI services.

This lawyer will have frequent contact with all levels of Microsoft executives, technical experts, legal peers, external partners, customers and vendors as well as our regional and global CELA teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a valued legal advisor to senior level clients and colleagues by providing proactive and actionable advice on a wide range of issues, including IP licensing, large language models, business model development, public sector procurement, government contracting issues, data protection, licensing, commercial law, contract interpretation and regulatory compliance. Simplify complex issues for internal clients and resolve legal matters with minimal oversight.

• Identify and anticipate legal and other risks to the business (e.g., geopolitical, country, reputational) and collaborate on strategy to develop creative solutions and alternatives to mitigate future risk .

• Draft new and novel policies and agreements; negotiate a variety of transactional documents (e.g., commercial agreements, joint development deals, licensing).
• Actively represent Microsoft at external events (e.g., presenting at meetings, conferences, webinars, panels).
• Develop positive relationships with external legal professionals, customers, and partners to protect and advocate for Microsoft’s interests; coordinate with government affairs professionals to ensure strategic alignment.

• Manage relationships and develop partnerships with outside counsel; collaborate with outside counsel or other service providers to develop strategies and innovative solutions to address business issues and achieve business objectives.
• Engage with legal and business colleagues to identify and share best practices.
• Use AI solutions to scale work and drive continuous improvement.
• Occasional attendance at our Reading offices as required.
• International travel will be required from time to time.

Qualifications

• UK qualified solicitor with 7+ years as a practicing commercial lawyer with in-house experience preferred
• Significant experience practicing in sophisticated legal environments with experience of advising on public sector transactions and public procurement law preferred
• Outstanding analytical and written communication skills
• A keen business sense, with the ability to find creative business-oriented solutions to legal issues, balancing legal risks against business interests
• A demonstrated ability to work efficiently, meet demanding deadlines in a fast-paced environment, prioritize workflow and adjust to frequent workload fluctuations
• An ability to work independently while also being a strong collaborator
• A strong team spirit and ability to work with colleagues based in different locations
• An ability to establish a “trusted advisor” relationship with executive and key business team members
• A high tolerance for ambiguity and change
• Passion for technology, the potential of digital transformation and Microsoft’s diverse range of products and services

The above description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this position. The actual duties, responsibilities and qualifications may vary.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer and supports workforce diversity

#CELA

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.