General Counsel (GC)

General Counsel

Ericsson and some of the world’s largest telecom operators have announced a new venture to combine and sell network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) on a global scale to spur innovation in digital services. The venture will drive implementation and access to common APIs from multiple telecom service providers to a broader ecosystem of developer platforms. We are seeking a General Counsel for the new venture, which will be 50% owned by Ericsson and 50% owned by telecom operators.

The newly formed company will provide network APIs to a broad ecosystem of developer platforms, including hyperscalers (HCPs), Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) providers, System Integrators (SIs) and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), based on existing industry-wide CAMARA APIs (the open-source project driven by the GSMA and the Linux Foundation). Vonage and Google Cloud will partner with the new company, providing access to their ecosystems of millions of developers as well as their partners.

As the GC for the new entity, you will be instrumental in shaping the organization’s legal team, contracting with suppliers and customers, and compliance with regulatory and privacy requirements. This role is critical in building this new venture to manage the legal risk, develop corporate governance, and initiate and implement strategic legal initiatives while ensuring that the company operates within the bounds of law. The General Counsel will report to the Chief Executive Officer and work closely with senior leadership and various stakeholders to drive business growth, while also acting as a player coach for the legal team as the Company grows. This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic legal professional to make a meaningful impact.

Why this role matters:

Responsible for direction and oversight of the legal initiatives for this new company, we ensure our practices place the company in a competitive and compliant position and contribute to organizational success. The GC is a player coach who can provide executive leadership and oversight for the Legal function, while also rolling up their sleeves to ensure the legal team delivers on its core deliverables.

What you will do:

• Develop and lead the company’s legal strategy to protect the business and mitigate legal risks.
• Advise senior leadership and the board of directors on legal matters, ensuring compliance with corporate governance policies and regulations.
• Oversee the identification and management of legal risks, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations at all levels.
• Support and manage the negotiation, drafting, and management of key contracts, agreements, and transactions.
• Ensure the company’s operations comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including data protection, fraud and industry-specific requirements.
• Manage all litigation, disputes, and legal proceedings, working closely with external legal counsel when necessary.
• Lead and mentor the legal team, fostering professional growth and ensuring high performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including HR, finance, and operations, to provide legal advice on business strategies.

 What you will bring:

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal degree; active membership in a state bar association.
• Minimum 12+ years of relevant legal experience both in a firm and in-house, with a focus on corporate, regulatory, and commercial law, including leadership experience.
• Experience in the telecom and/or information technology industry.
• Strong knowledge of corporate governance, contract law, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to align legal strategy with business objectives and effectively manage risk.
• Experience working with a national or global organization and familiarity with working cross-culturally and with those of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• Experience leading legal teams and collaborating with senior executives and board members.
• A proactive, solution-oriented approach to addressing legal challenges and mitigating risks.
• High level of integrity, ethical judgment, and professional responsibility.

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