Senior Legal Counsel – Competition and Regulatory - 12 month contract

Reporting to the Head of Legal – Competition & Regulatory, this Senior Counsel – Competition & Regulatory role (“Senior Competition Counsel”) 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.

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 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 senior leadership with the GCO and the EC. Working with the GC and other senior leaders within the GCO, this individual will play a key role in the delivery of key initiatives across a broad range of matters.

It matters to us that Team Virgin Media O2 is as diverse as the communities we serve. We’re aware of the importance of diversity within the Legal team, so we welcome and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

• Execution of strategic legal advice: formulating legal strategy, identifying risk, working autonomously across a broad range of competition and regulatory matters (antitrust, subsidy control, merger control, compliance) escalating as appropriate, recommending mitigation and implementing solutions, demonstrating proficiency at handling multiple demands and working calmly under pressure to meet business challenges.
• Providing legal advice and support to the Regulatory Affairs team within the GCO on telecoms regulatory matters including investigations, projects and policy.
• Providing competition law compliance and ring-fencing programs and crafting and delivering custom training needs for business units.
• Horizon scanning and keeping abreast of UK and EU policy developments that might impact Virgin Media O2 and its shareholders, working collaboratively with the Public Policy and Corporate Affairs teams on Virgin Media O2 policy positioning and partner engagement.
• Recognised as a trusted, influential and credible team member who can partner the business 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, acts with confidence and gravitas, challenges the status quo, pushes back when appropriate, provides lateral and creative thinking to complex problems.
• Able to manage external advisers (legal/economic) efficiently where required, including drafting instructions and monitoring budgets.

Who we are

The UK’s fastest broadband network. The nation’s best-loved mobile brand. And, one of the UK's biggest companies too.

Diverse, hard-working teams - jam packed with serious talent. Together, we offer the UK more choice and better value, through our boundary-pushing, customer-championing values and ambitions.

Together, we are Virgin Media O2, and we can't wait to see what you can do.

Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all

Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer, and we're working hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. So, we build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape. We support and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey with us.

The must haves

In order to be considered, you must have the following experience;

• Degree level education / relevant professional qualifications
• Relevant and demonstrable legal experience gained both in private legal practice and, ideally, in (regulated) industry as well.
• Experience dealing with competition authorities and regulators and handling formal or informal requests for information against pressured timetables (e.g. as part of M&A, antitrust, regulatory or market investigations).
• Experience in providing clear, credible commercially focused advice confidently and to influence and manage key relationships at all levels, including the highest levels of management.
• Independent and forward-thinking with strong business insight, showcasing the ability to grasp the fundamental business issues and obstacles

The other stuff we are looking for

We'd also love you to bring;

• Proven senior stakeholder management
• Excellent attention to detail

What's in it for you

Our goal is to celebrate our people, their lives and everything in-between. We aim to create a culture that empowers everyone to bring the best versions of themselves to work each and every day. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a brighter world.

Working at Virgin Media O2, you get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like to. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.

Next steps

If we feel like a place where you can belong, we'd love to learn more about you as a person and your experience to date. Once you've submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include two interview stages.

When you apply, you'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert, therefore we may bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you’re offered a job with us, it will be conditional, based on the passing of background checks. All roles require a criminal record check, and some roles need a financial probity check. Your recruiter can provide you with more information if needed.

Thanks for your patience and for showing an interest in joining the Virgin Media O2 family.

#LI-NA1