Senior Legal Counsel

NEC Aspire Technology
is a company with a focus in engineering, software solutions and consulting, perfecting networks in more than 50 countries around the world. At NEC Aspire Technology, we have a culture of professionalism, innovation, and partnership. We are supporting our partners in full network lifecycle management, from R&D and setting network deployment strategy, over network design, integration, and optimization, to securing end to end-user experience and customer care. Our clients are among the top tier service providers, global system integrators, solutions vendors and ecosystem enablers like standardisation and regulatory agencies.

Role: Senior Legal Counsel

At NEC Aspire Technology we believe that to build a great company, you must have great people and great people are at the heart of our company. We work with smart, motivated and innovative people who have a great attitude.  

Location: Dublin, Ireland/Hybrid Working

Department: Central

Reports to: Reports to NEC Aspire VP

Contract Type: Permanent

Job Summary

The Senior Legal Counsel works at the heart of Aspire’s business growth, by reviewing and negotiating complex contracts, as well as providing legal guidance and ensuring corporate governance and regulatory compliance with laws and regulations. With a commercial business partner focus, the role is accountable for managing legal and compliance risks, corporate governance and negotiating complex technology contracts. The role collaborates cross-functionally with all business units in Aspire and is part of the wider NEC Corporation legal structure. The role provides guidance and advice on a prevailing range of legal topics including commercial matters, contracts, data protection, intellectual property, corporate compliance, HR matters and corporate transactions. You will act as a trusted advisor to Senior Management and the Board of Directors, helping to protect and support the company’s operations in Ireland and internationally.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Contracts

• Drafting, Reviewing, and Negotiating Contracts: Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including software licensing, SaaS agreements, master services agreements (MSAs), partnership agreements, vendor contracts, NDAs, and data protection agreements.
• Contract Management: Build on, develop and maintain standardized contract templates and ensure smooth contract execution, management, and compliance across the organization.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with sales, finance, and technology teams to ensure contract alignment with business objectives and strategic goals.

 Compliance

• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations in Ireland, the EU, and other relevant jurisdictions, particularly those related to data protection (GDPR), intellectual property, competition law, and sector-specific regulations.
• Internal Compliance Policies: Develop, implement, and manage internal compliance policies related to anti-bribery, anti-corruption, data privacy, export controls, and employment law.
• Training & Awareness: Create and conduct compliance training programs to educate employees on relevant legal and compliance requirements, including GDPR and data privacy policies, anti-bribery, whistleblowing, and ethical business practices.
• Governance: Advise on corporate governance and the company’s ongoing reporting and corporate filings; support the Company Secretary..
  

Misc.

• Employment Law: Provide legal support to the HR team and guidance on employment law matters, including contracts, benefits, and any other HR-related legal issues.
• General Legal Advice: Provide strategic legal support to the Senior Leadership Team across a range of areas, including employment law, IP (Intellectual Property), dispute resolution, and general corporate matters.
• Dispute Resolution: Handle or coordinate the resolution of legal disputes (e.g., through mediation, arbitration, or litigation), working with external counsel when necessary.

Abilities and Skills

•       Strategic decision maker to influence policy decisions

•       Pragmatic ‘common-sense’ approach

•       Resourceful

•       Problem-solving

•       Negotiation

•       Persuasiveness

Qualifications and Experience

•       Qualified solicitor in Ireland (or equivalent qualification within the EU)

•       Degree from an accredited law school/qualification (LLB or equivalent) with 5+ years PQE.

•       In-house experience working closely with senior management team within a technology company, with exposure to complex technology contracts

•       Proven legal experience, with a focus on reviewing and negotiating complex contracts, ideally within or alongside a corporate legal setting.

•       Experience in compliance, ideally in software, IT, telco or professional services.

•       Experience in corporate governance, having contributed to or led the design and implementation of governance frameworks.

•       Strong business partnering mindset and ability to work with all departments and levels.

•       High ethical standards and integrity, with a commitment to promoting a culture of compliance and transparency.

•       Comfortable working within an international and multicultural environment, with the ability to collaborate across time zones, cultures and legal jurisdictions.

•       Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.

•       Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.

•       Sound judgment, with the ability to assess risks and provide practical legal advice.

•       Excellent written and verbal communication skills, good listener, highly responsive to internal clients and ability to handle pressure.

•       Strong influencing and diplomatic skills.

•       Constructive and consultative team player.

•       Ability to manage own workload efficiently, work independently and, as necessary, work effectively as a remote worker under a hybrid working scheme.

•       Self-motivator with strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.

•       Prior experience acting as, or supporting a Company Secretary (desirable but not essential).

Key Competencies

•       Sector knowledge

•       Corporate Governance

•       Teamwork

•       Adaptability

•       Commercial Awareness

•       Persuasiveness

•       International / Multinational experience is an asset

•       Negotiation

By applying to this position with NEC Aspire Technology, you consent to your data being stored and processed in line with our privacy notice for job applicants. You can read this notice in full at http://aspiretechnology.com/careers/.