Principal Legal Counsel (261612)

Who we are

We are a leading international Telco, serving millions of customers. At Vodafone, we believe that connectivity is a force for good. If we use it for the things that really matter, it can improve people's lives and the world around us. Through our technology we empower people, connecting everyone regardless of who they are or where they live and we protect the planet, whilst helping our customers do the same.

Belonging at Vodafone isn't a concept; it's lived, breathed, and cultivated through everything we do. You'll be part of a global and diverse community, with many different minds, abilities, backgrounds and cultures. ;We're committed to increase diversity, ensure equal representation, and make Vodafone a place everyone feels safe, valued and included.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, please refer to https://careers.vodafone.com/application-adjustments/ for guidance.

Together we can.

Would you like to be part of our new adventure? Vodafone Group launched its new technological HUB in 2021, an international center of excellence dedicated to research and development of technical solutions, such as Secure Networks, 5G and 6G development, Open RAN, IoT, MPN & MEC and UCC for Vodafone Business, platforms and enterprise solutions.

This vacancy is part of VOIS Spain, legal entity part of Vodafone Group.

Come and join us to create the future together!

Who you are

Legal Counsel key role is seeking experience in a multi-national shared service environment, with the opportunity to develop legal, organizational and communication skills and to work with experienced lawyers in multiple jurisdictions. The role will be reporting to the Senior Legal Manager _VOIS EU . Role Overview We are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel a generalist inhouse counsel who is in addition specialized in Spanish and EU intellectual property law to join our legal team based in Malaga. The ideal candidate will have experience in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters, including copyright, trademarks, designs, domain names, patents, trade secrets, commercial IP law and related areas. This role offers the opportunity to work on a broad range of intellectual property issues across the global VOIS organisation, making it ideal for a growth-oriented professional with a strong legal foundation and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership:

• Local country legal support regarding the daily ongoing legal matters relevant for inhouse counsel for _VOIS SP entity
• Participating _VOIS EU related legal project, amongst others supporting cross country agreements for all EU locations
• Keeping up to date with future changes in legislation regarding _VOIS SP, which could affect the operation of _VOIS EU (SP ) and working to enable _VOIS SP (to implement any required changes on time)
• Intellectual Property Expertise
• Provide expert legal advice on intellectual property law, including copyright, trademarks, designs, domain names, patents and trade secrets.
• Handle contentious IP matters such as infringement disputes and enforcement actions before courts and administrative bodies.
• Manage non-contentious IP matters, including registration of trademarks, designs, and domain names, as well as drafting and negotiating IP-related agreements (e.g., licensing, assignments).
• Advise on IP portfolio management and strategies to protect and enhance the company’s intellectual property assets, including its patent portfolio.
• Support the business in navigating cross-border IP issues within Spain and EU and beyond for the wider VOIS organisation, including for the VSOL parent company based in the UK.
• Broader IP Legal Support
• Work on broader intellectual property issues such as brand protection strategies, online content regulation, and digital rights management.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure compliance with IP laws in product development, marketing campaigns, and digital platforms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advise on a range of legal issues in Spain and the EU, including for example on disputes, intellectual property, employment, commercial and privacy law.

What you bring

• Spanish Degree in Law and Master Acceso a la Abogacía
• Full legal qualification,  Admission to the SP BAR.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in private practice or as in-house counsel in an international company.
• Stakeholder Management
• Strong knowledge of IP regulations, regulatory practice and Spain and EU jurisprudence.
• Experience representing companies in interactions with external counsel, regulatory authorities, and third-party partners. 
• Advanced level of English and Spanish, working experience (at least C1 in english).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Pragmatic approach to legal issues and business solutions.
• Growth mindset and willingness to expand expertise in other legal areas.
• Experience in disputes, employment law, and intellectual property is advantageous

• Proactive and detail-oriented with ability to work independently
• Adaptable to changing priorities and able to work under pressure
• This role offers the opportunity to work on a diverse range of legal matters related to IPS law at a global company.
• Competent in Microsoft Office Packages, particularly Outlook, Word & Excel
• Ability to perform under pressure.
• Teamwork with high levels of responsiveness, adaptability, and prioritization skills.
• No criminal background

Nice To Have: 

• Further study in Intellectual Property law.
• Experience in the telecom. industry dealing with legal issues such as compliance, commercial law, data protection, and corporate law.

Benefits

• Hybrid work model
• Bonus on top of the gross salary.
• Meal voucher (Ticket Restaurant), additional to gross salary.
• Flexible working hours from Monday to Thursday, and an intensive schedule on Fridays.
• Intensive Summer Schedule during July and August.
• Up to 20 days per year of 100% remote work from other locations.
• Private Health and Life Insurance for employees.
• 25 vacation days, plus December 24th and 31st off.
• Optional Pension Plan.
• Access to an online learning platform for continuous training.

Please, apply with an English version of your CV.

#Li-Hybrid

REF: 261612

Why Vodafone?

At Vodafone, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We take pride in our commitment to providing equal opportunities to individuals of all backgrounds and abilities.  We firmly believe that diversity includes a spectrum of experiences, and we welcome and support individuals with functional diversity.

Our mission is to create an accessible workplace where all team members can thrive, regardless of their unique abilities or challenges. We are committed to making reasonable accommodations to ensure that everyone can fully participate and excel in our organization. We value the unique perspectives and talents that individuals with functional diversity bring to our team and consider them an integral part of our success and innovation.
We recognize and celebrate the importance of diversity and inclusivity in our workplace so that we are as diverse as the customers and communities we serve. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination especially related to but not limited to race, colour, age, veteran status, gender identification, sexual orientation, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, religion, political affiliation, trade union membership, nationality, indigenous status, medical condition, HIV status, social origin, cultural background, social or marital status.
 

Not a perfect fit?

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about empowering people and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to still apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another opportunity.