Senior Legal Counsel - Corporate

Sky; Stanmore; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sky is seeking a English-qualified solicitor with 4+ years PQE to support its Legal team on high-profile deals and strategic projects. You will advise on corporate matters, restructurings, JVs, and acquisitions, coordinating large matters and leading smaller ones.

The role involves interaction with Sky's management and external counsel, with hybrid working three days in the office. The successful candidate will bring strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills, excellent stakeholder

Qualifications

• Qualified English solicitor with 4+ years PQE.
• Strong corporate background across private practice or in-house.
• Experience in share/asset acquisitions, disposals and JVs.

Responsibilities

• Support the Sky Legal team on high-profile, strategically significant deals and projects.
• Coordinate large matters and independently manage smaller matters.
• Instruct and manage external corporate legal support.

Skills

Corporate law

English law

Negotiation

Drafting

Analytical thinking

Job description

What you’ll do:

play a key role in supporting the Legal team on high‑profile, strategically significant deals and projects, while running and coordinating large matters and independently managing smaller matters.

support Sky group management and advise on corporate matters, including:

• Advising on General corporate matters (e.g., directors’ duties; restructurings, solvency, dormancy and liquidation of entities; corporate elements of commercial transactions etc.)
• Advising on Corporate finance matters (e.g., intragroup and external debt management; recapitalisations; dividend payments)
• Support for JVs on the strategic questions around divestment/ exit/ renewal from the Sky perspective as well as interaction with the commercial deals which form part of the JVs;
• Support for other investments (BAU matters, including preparation for board and shareholder meetings, corporate resolutions, investor consents, director/officer appointments, letters of support etc.)
• Flexible support for new acquisitions and other M&A activity (point person for Sky) working closely with Comcast corporate legal in London and Philadelphia.
• Instructing and managing external corporate legal support.

What you’ll bring:

English qualified solicitor of a minimum of 4+ years PQE (or equivalent)Strong corporate background with experience in English corporate law (or equivalent) either from private practice or equivalent in-house across a range of corporate transactions (including share and asset acquisitions, disposals and JVs)Excellent attention to detail, negotiation, drafting and analytical skillsProactivity, taking the initiative and with a willingness to help out on a range of projectsStrong organisational skills and ability to adapt quickly, organise, prioritise and plan effectively in a fast-paced environment with competing prioritiesAn ability to think strategically, creatively and commercially and to advise stakeholders on legal and commercial risks.Strong communication skills and proven track record in distilling complex legal issues and risks into concise summaries suitable for commercial stakeholders and an ability to think laterally and identify creative, customer-focused solutions.Excellent inter-personal skills, a positive outlook and the ability to build trust and rapport at all levels and work collaboratively across the Sky Group to deliver Sky’s objectives.Experience in instructing and managing external legal counselPrior in-house or secondment experience at a corporate with a developed legal function is a plus.

How you’ll workAt Sky, we want to be a community that thrives by being together. Flexible working remains a key part of that. We want our people to have the best of both worlds – time working at home, as well as time in the office.The hybrid working expectations for this role are 3 days in the office per week.

Where you’ll work:

Our Osterley Campus is a 10-minute walk from Syon Lane train station. Or you can hop on one of our free shuttle buses that run to and from Osterley, Gunnersbury, Ealing Broadway and South Ealing tube stations. There’s also plenty of bike shelters and showers.

On campus, you’ll find 13 subsidised restaurants, cafes, and a Waitrose. You can keep in shape at our subsidised gym, catch the latest shows and movies at our cinema, get your car washed and even get pampered at our beauty salon.

Team overview:

Sky’s Legal department is a fantastic place to work.

We comprise over 200 industry leading lawyers and legal and compliance professionals across the Sky territories, providing commercial, risk-based advice to the wider business.

We regard ourselves (and are recognised) as trusted partners of the business functions we support.

We seek to employ the “Believe in Better” mantra in our day-to-day work, both in our output and in our behaviours.

Our Vision is to be one team, business partnering to deliver Sky’s Protect & Grow plan, empowered to be our best.

The rewards:

There’s a reason people can’t stop talking about

#LifeAtSky . Our great range of rewards really are something special, here are just a few:Sky Q, for the TV you love all in one placeA generous pension packagePrivate healthcareDiscounted mobile and broadbandAccess a wide range of exclusive Sky VIP rewards and experiences

Inclusion:

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We don’t discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We’re a Disability Confident Accredited Employer, and welcome and encourage applications from all candidates. We’ll look to ensure a fair and consistent experience for all and will make reasonable adjustments to support you where appropriate. Please flag any adjustments you need to your recruiter as early as you can.

A job you love to talk about.

Just so you know: if your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a criminal record check. And depending on the role you have applied for and the nature of any convictions you may have, we might have to withdraw the offer.