Senior Commercial Lawyer

Why this job matters

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of connectivity? We’re looking for a commercially astute and strategically minded professional to join a team that sits at the core of delivering BT’s ambition to build, connect and accelerate. This is your opportunity to support the rollout of cutting-edge technologies and services that connect our customers in a digital world, while driving the modernisation and simplification of our processes.

In this role, you’ll be a trusted partner to the business—providing first-class commercial advice, leading complex contract negotiations, resolving disputes, and supporting strategic and operational projects. You’ll work on the latest technology innovations and help deliver BT’s network strategy, making a real impact on how we connect the UK and beyond.

What you’ll be doing

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex, high-value transactions with suppliers and partners, including negotiation, drafting, and contract management.
• Provide clear, commercially focused legal advice to stakeholders across the business, enabling informed decision-making and opportunity maximisation.
• Promote effective risk management by identifying, assessing, and mitigating legal and commercial risks.
• Support innovation and product development by advising on funding initiatives and drafting agreements for collaborations and technology trials, particularly those emerging from BT’s R&D centre at Adastral Park.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, governance, and competition law requirements, escalating issues to appropriate internal functions as needed.
• Act as the lead on disputes with suppliers and partners, driving resolution strategies and outcomes.
• Support and mentor junior colleagues and external legal service providers, acting as a key escalation point.
• Contribute to the Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Centre’s (LRACC) strategic goals, helping shape and deliver its broader objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand their business strategies and align legal support accordingly.

Skills and Experiences

Skills

We’re looking for someone who can bring a strong mix of legal expertise and commercial acumen, with the following key skills:

• Legal Advisory & Analysis – Ability to provide pragmatic, solution-focused legal advice to stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Negotiation – Skilled in navigating complex commercial negotiations and securing outcomes that protect BT’s interests.
• Business Partnering & Consulting – Trusted advisor who can guide the business through legal and commercial challenges, with a strong understanding of risk and opportunity.
• Business Acumen – Solid grasp of business strategy, financial literacy, and the drivers of organisational performance.
• Growth Mindset – Committed to continuous learning, self-improvement, and adapting to change.
• Storytelling & Communication – Able to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences.
• Decision-Making – Confident in making sound, timely decisions while managing competing priorities.
• Teamwork & Collaboration – A strong team player who works effectively across legal and business teams, supporting colleagues and contributing to shared goals.

Experience

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:

• A qualification as a commercial lawyer with 5+ years’ post-qualification experience.
• Experience working closely with senior stakeholders and business partners.
• A proven track record of delivering expert legal support in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and manage expectations effectively.
• A flexible and proactive approach to change and innovation.
• Demonstrated initiative through project leadership or taking on additional responsibilities beyond core duties.

Benefits

• Annual On target bonus 15% (personal and company multipliers)
• Car allowance - worth £5500 a year, can be taken as cash)
• Private healthcare for you and your family
• BT Pension scheme; minimum 5% employee contribution, BT contribution 10%
• Life Assurance
• Direct share scheme
• Exclusive colleague discounts on our latest and greatest BT broadband packages
• 50% off EE mobile pay monthly or SIM only plans and 50% discount for friends and family on EE SIM only plans
• My Discounts gives colleagues access to unbeatable savings on everyday purchases at hundreds of retailers
• Discounted EE TV including TNT Sport and the NOW Entertainment membership
• Great support for working parents including pay whilst on maternity, adoptive, and paternity leave
• 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service with buy holiday option
• Volunteering days so you can give back to your local community
• Brand new electric vehicle salary sacrifice arrangement, known as ‘My EV’

Our leadership standards

Looking in:
Leading inclusively and Safely
I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity.
Owning outcomes
I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.

Looking out:
Delivering for the customer
I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business.
Commercially savvy
I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.

Looking to the future:
Growth mindset
I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation.
Building for the future
I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.