Lawyer, Litigation & Employment, AMEA

Job Req ID:

25034

Posting Date:

18 Oct 2023

Function:

Legal and Governance

Location:

54 Maxwell Drive, Johannesburg, South Africa

Salary:

Competitive

The role has the flexibility to be considered to be based in Johannesburg or Kuala Lumpur.

Why this job matters

The role holder will report to the Legal Director, Global and will support the MEA and APAC legal and HR management teams.

This role holds accountability and leadership for litigation, investigations and employment law matters for the Business CFU in the AMEA region and will be responsible for engaging with senior stakeholders regarding complex legal matters in this region.

What Youll Be Doing Your Accountabilities

The holder of this role:

• Will act as the lead lawyer on complex and high value litigation, investigations and employment law matters across, the AMEA region.
• Will give clear and pragmatic legal guidance (and formal advice where appropriate) that helps Business understand and mitigate legal and employment risk. Complies relevant laws and regulations when providing specialist legal advice to stakeholders.
• Will work with members of the AMEA legal and HR teams on a range of legal matters, including pre-litigation disputes, litigation, employment issues, new initiatives, legal interpretation, investigations, policy drafting and amendment, training and legislative changes.
• Will develop and comply with BTs policies and strategies, including development of standard contracts and policies for BTs entities across AMEA.
• Will manage our relationship with external legal providers, including engaging their support and / or providing guidance / direction as a matter progresses.
• Will build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders in the AMEA region, and across the BT central legal and HR functions, advising on the impact of business decisions, identifying legal constraints and recommending solutions that minimise risk and support Business in achieving its strategy.
• Will participate in strategic transformational projects and where relevant, will manage the implementation of those projects across AMEA
• Will identify compliance issues and refer them to senior management and to their line manager. Supports the quick resolution of issues and escalates to senior legal team members as necessary.
• Will build excellent, collaborative working relationships with peers across Legal & Co Sec supporting Business and the wider BT Group.
• Will make a material and positive contribution to Legal, Reg, Compliance & Co Sec strategy, goals and initiatives.
• Will ensure that business is conducted in accordance with BTs regulatory restrictions (including the Commitments), competition law and BT policy, including The BT Way and BTs trading policies
• Participates in ongoing training to ensure all stakeholders are engaged with critical legal issues and are aware of best practices.
• Mentors other Specialist Law professionals, helping to improve the teams abilities by acting as a technical resource.
• Champions, continuously develops and shares with team knowledge on emerging trends and changes in Specialist Law.

The Skills Youll Need To Succeed

• Proven experience: evidence of working in a fast-paced legal environment and strong record of working on all manner of employment issues, investigations, litigation and compliance matters.
• Drive and enthusiasm: must be self-motivated, capable of working independently with drive and enthusiasm, and being part of a team.
• Communication: ability to articulate complex issues in a simple way as well as make reasoned, balanced recommendations.
• Change agent: must passionate about testing the status quo and developing alternatives.
• Communication and analytical skills: must demonstrate good communication and analytical skills.
• Business acumen: knowledgeable in business strategy and the drivers of organisational performance, including people drivers of performance and financial literacy.
• Pragmatic: must be pragmatic and solutions driven.
• Advanced skill proficiency expects in legal advisory, legal analysis, legal research, business partnering & consulting, risk & case management.

Experience Youd Be Expected To Have

• PQE: 5 years PQE or similar relevant experience preferred, but not essential.
• Experience: Must be able to demonstrate a proven track record of dealing with high value and complex legal, regulatory and governance matters in a fast moving and demanding environment.
• Experience: demonstrate the ability to manage workload, prioritising where appropriate and setting (and meeting) realistic expectations with business partners.
• Experience: Ability to adapt quickly to, and be supportive of, change.
• Experience: A history of pro-actively taking on additional responsibilities such as project team involvement / leadership

Leadership Accountabilities

• Collaborative Partner: You build networks inside and outside of the business with stakeholders who share in the business unit agenda, removing barriers to collaboration.
• Commercial thinker: You implement breakthrough ideas and propositions that benefit our business, using your understanding of external market forces and internal commercial drivers.
• Solutions focused achiever: You translate strategy into ambitious goals, outcomes and timelines. You provide solutions to complexity
• Change Agent: You lead complex change programmes, supporting teams to perform effectively in all circumstances.

Key decisions

The role holder will

• work with and influence across the central and AMEA human resources teams to
• design and implement/amend HR policies across multiple jurisdictions
• set appropriate HR strategy
• resolve complex HR disputes and litigation
• work with and influence central and regional stakeholders during investigations of confidential cases
• work with the principal lawyer MEA on litigation, employment, corporate governance, compliance, regulatory and related matters, as instructed from time to time to execute on Business and legal strategy.

With over 175 years of heritage, BT is now the flagship business brand of BT Group. Weve brought together our best people and capabilities into a B2B powerhouse serving 1 -2 million business customers internationally.

Were a global leader for secure connectivity and collaboration platforms for businesses of all shapes and sizes, from big household names and government departments, right through to sole traders and new start-ups. But its not just the technology that matters, its what it can do to help them build stronger, smarter, more secure businesses.

We value diversity and inclusion and believe in making a positive impact. We connect for good by championing digital inclusion and equipping people, businesses, and communities with digital skills to thrive.

As a member of our team, you will be part of an organisation that celebrates difference, fosters innovation and provides you with opportunities to be your best. With millions of businesses relying on us daily, joining BT means you can be part of a diverse and multi-skilled team that makes a significant impact to society.

A FEW POINTS TO NOTE:

Although these roles are listed as full-time, if youre a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.

DON'T MEET EVERY SINGLE REQUIREMENT?

Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway - you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.