(12 Month FTC)
This role will ideally be based in Belfast, we are open to receiving applicants who can work remotely.
About Us
The FT has an uncompromising mission: delivering independent, quality information, news and services to individuals and companies around the globe. It’s the cornerstone of our reputation and the heart of our ambitions for the future. But for our people, the FT offers so much more than what we do. FT people come from all kinds of backgrounds and work across a huge range of disciplines and locations, and find an empowering, warm and welcoming culture that values curiosity and rewards smart, ambitious thinking. Those who are willing to unite around our mission and live our values will find plenty to challenge, inspire and interest them. Like the audiences we serve, no two FT people are the same; but together we help our audience be better informed and understand the world around them. It’s a job that’s never mattered more, and a career that can take you anywhere you want to go.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace
At the FT, we aim for employees across all regions to have a voice so that diverse perspectives are heard and valued. We believe that a supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves at work and have the flexibility they need to meet their personal needs. We’ll continue to remove barriers for all, and in particular barriers facing employees from underrepresented groups.
Role Overview
The Financial Times is recruiting for a commercial contracts lawyer to be based at its office in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The Belfast office is an integral part of the FT’s highly-regarded in-house legal team. The Belfast team currently comprises four commercial lawyers who report into a Senior Legal Counsel (also based in Belfast) and the FT’s deputy company secretary. The Belfast legal team provides dedicated support to important business divisions within the Financial Times, including the FT’s corporate subscriptions and services business, the Financial Times Live global conferences and events business (http://www.ft-live.com), FT’s thought leadership business, FT Longitude, and the FT Specialist range of titles.
The Belfast office is situated in Belfast city centre. The Legal team has a hybrid working model, which provides flexibility while maintaining collaboration and culture through regular in-person contact.
What you will be responsible for
- Advising the business on contracts with clients from a wide range of industries and jurisdictions
- Engaging directly in negotiating contract terms with external customers
- Providing highly responsive, pragmatic and commercial advice
- Managing contracts which are usually based on standard templates, but can be subject to extensive negotiation
- Understanding how the templates reflect the FT’s business model and updating templates as required to meet changing business needs and product developments
- Delivering training to business partners
- Identifying ways in which legal support can be delivered more effectively, leveraging new legal technology tools
Experience/skills you need to be successful in this role
Essential
- Solicitor qualified in the UK.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong commercial contract drafting skills and legal knowledge, with a good understanding of copyright, licensing, data protection, indemnity and liability issues
- Demonstrates commercial awareness that takes strategic objectives into account
- Highly organised, with strong time management skills, including the ability to prioritise work and keep internal stakeholders informed
- Can build effective relationships within the legal team and wider business
Desirable
Previous in-house experience
What’s in it for you? Our Benefits
Our benefits vary depending on location, but we are committed to providing best in class perks across all our offices as well as an inclusive environment to develop your career. Examples of our benefits include; generous annual leave allowances, flexible working (including working from home), medical cover, enhanced maternity & paternity packages, subsidised gym memberships and Giving Back opportunities. Full details of our benefits can be found here.
Further Information
The FT is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer who seeks to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We also promote flexible working and will consider specific requests around flexibility for all roles where it can be accommodated. Please let us know if you require any adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements, or have any questions, [email protected] and a member of our team will be happy to help.
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