Director, Legal Counsel (North America)

Why this role matters:

In recent years Vonage has embarked on an ambitious and exciting growth strategy which has led to a significant transformation of the business and most recently, it led to the acquisition by global Telco powerhouse Ericsson.  

The Commercial Legal Affairs team is at the forefront of the business - it continues to undergo an evolution as it looks to most efficiently scale its support for multiple existing and new business services.

In late September 2023, together with Deutsche Telekom, Vonage announced a world-first in the commercialization of network APIs.  This is a key milestone achievement in the launch of Vonage’s new Global Network Platform (GNP) business services group.   GNP is focused on bringing to market software development that aggregates and integrates advanced network capabilities from Communication Service Providers such as Mobile Network operators into APIs that can be used with the  Vonage Communications Platform (VCP) to create advanced network APIs and services

Vonage’s Legal Department is looking for a number of talented and seasoned Commercial Legal Counsel to expand its current capacity and form a dedicated GNP legal support team

You will be a regional lead member of the GNP legal support team and will require a blend of legal, technical and business skills which include::

1. Legal experience

• working with an international client base including UK, EU & APAC
• working In a legal leadership capacity in a software (preferable SaaS-based) cloud, application, or platform software company
• Holding in-house position(s) providing direct support in a sales environment 
• negotiating with Mobile network operators and other carrier providers
• reviewing / negotiating agreements based on counter party templates
• displaying a proven track record of risk identification, assessment and mitigation to provide solutions for the business teams.
• A practical working knowledge of IP rights, including copyrights, patent, trademarks, GDPR and privacy regulations to be able to issue spot as a minimum

1. Technical experience:

• Experience in supporting new product development - being able to identify potential checkpoints and exposures related to areas such as IP, Data Privacy, and Regulatory, as applicable to new product development and launch.
• An understanding of and ability to navigate the telecoms regulatory landscape.

1. Business Experience:

• Displaying blend of gravitas and firm but personable communications style needed to successfully support an enthusiastic international sales /business team. 
• thriving in high pressure dynamic sales target driven environment
• having a business-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving and project management skills.
• working in an in-house position providing direct support in a sales environment 
• working in cross-functional teams to drive projects to completion.

You will also be experienced in developing new template agreements and negotiating bespoke business agreements; you will thrive in an environment where you are creating a robust foundation for optimizing legal support. 

You will help with optimizing legal engagement processes for the group - working closely with Vonage Legal Operations to drive adoption of technology solutions and ensure an engagement process capable of scale.

You will be ensuring that the Company obtains the maximum commercial advantage from its business relationships while minimizing/managing risk exposure. 

IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU, CONTINUE READING BELOW…

What’s required for application:

• Minimum of 7 years of post qualification experience qualified to practice in the UK or in the US
• Prior experience working within a fast paced, dynamic, monthly / quarterly driven company
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong team player and self-motivating. Track record of employing diplomacy and gravitas to drive consensus and results
• Proactive and self motivated; track record of challenging and improving on the status quo
• You will possess strong transactional and management skills, a high level of integrity and be committed to the highest ethical standards.

Desired Skills:

•       Able to work in a fast-paced environment with high pressure periods and deadlines
•       Able to self-manage 
•       Ability to utilize various communication methods to drive efficiency in working and be comfortable with direct communications with internal clients and stakeholders and externally with 3rd party lawyers and companies including prospects, customers, partners and resellers.

What you will bring:

Common Character/Behavioral Traits:

•       Passionate about delivering excellence
•       Embraces ‘sense of urgency’ ‘results driven’ and ‘accountability’ as key personal work ethics
•       Possess sound commercial judgment
•       Able to act clearly and diplomatically with an eye for detail and accuracy
•       Able to work collaboratively with different teams across the Company
•       Approachable, flexible, dependable.

What is in it for you:

In addition to providing exciting work, career advancement opportunities, and a collaborative work environment, Vonage provides competitive pay and benefits including unlimited discretionary time off and tuition reimbursement.

Note: The purpose of this profile is to provide a general summary of essential responsibilities for the position and is not meant as an exhaustive list. Assignments may differ for individuals within the same role based on business conditions, departmental need or geographic location.