Senior Commercial Lawyer (Riverside Tower, Belfast (N.I), United Kingdom)

Location - Belfast, Bristol or London - 3 days a week on site

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.

With over 175 years of heritage, BT is now the flagship business brand of BT Group. We’ve brought together our best people and capabilities into a B2B powerhouse serving 1.2 million business customers internationally.

We’re 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 it’s not just the technology that matters, it’s 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 you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.

We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.

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.