Background Tait Communications is a global leader in designing and delivering critical communications solutions which are the right fit for a variety of industries including; public safety agencies, government services, utilities, extractive industries and urban transport providers. Across the world, users of Tait products and services are better able to protect themselves and the public, be more responsive and more productive. While several corporate functions are based in Christchurch, New Zealand, the company prides itself on its international customer base and global support network. The company works with a network of sales offices, dealers, system integrators and consultants that spans the globe. Customers the world over turn to Tait for developing products, migrating systems, customising features, configuring networks, training users, supporting engineers and deploying a full suite of installation services. Customers commit to Tait because its people have a proven track record of taking the time to listen, understand and act upon customer requirements. Purpose The legal team is responsible for worldwide legal and compliance support across the Tait Group. The team works across regions and cross functionally to provide both commercial and legal support as necessary to support business as usual activities as well as specific projects as appropriate. Scope of Role The TEMA Legal Counsel is based in Swavesey, UK and reports to the Legal and Compliance Director (based in Houston, TX - U.S.A.). In the delivery of the key performance indicators, this function interacts with TEMA's general management, Finance, Services & Operations, Sales and Pre-sales teams. Integrity, self-motivation, honesty, credibility and the ability to work productively with little supervision for significant lengths of time are key requirements of the incumbent. This role is responsible for ensuring that TEMA has a business environment that is compliant, that our customers and partners have their requirements met within the integrity of the laws that bind our business, and that we can win in the market while responsibly minimizing our risks. The TEMA Legal Counsel mission is to coordinate the TEMA Region legal function, as well as to deliver relevant and timely regional advice in support of Tait global objectives. This role also brings the required interpretation of local laws and regulations surrounding the commercial process to support the General Manager(s) (GMs) of the region, in daily business decisions and transactions. The level of contribution expected of the incumbent is that of an experienced professional with good practical legal skills, a can-do attitude and who is motivated to learn. The key aspects of the role are: Partner with the appropriate business unit to provide commercial and legal support within the region. Empower the Pre-sales and Bid proposal management teams with RFP reviews and responses and guide them through the various RFP processes. Undertake contract drafting, review and negotiate as required with a lead role in the organisation. Build a thorough understanding of client businesses by developing the ability to constantly support decisions as well as and by building and maintaining long-term relationships in a proactive way. Provide clear and practical guidance to the business working to ensure compliance of the Region with Tait regional and Group policies and processes, applicable legislation including regulations, directives and customer policies as well as developing appropriate polices to support compliance. Work closely with the supply partnering/outsourcing functions to structure, negotiate and document sound commercial partnering contracts, MOU's, multi- party, cross border, or commercial ventures including teaming agreements, etc. Manage key contractual documents including drafting (or refreshing) templates and other such relevant documentation as appropriate. Ensure all dimensions of proposed contracts are completed and reviewed (and approvals obtained) regarding appropriate mitigation of regional, corporate and contract risk, pricing and margin contribution, technical risk and commercial terms. Provide commercial expertise, legal advice and support on business opportunities arising within the region as required. Provide contract administration and management support as required from time to time which may include registering of contracts, contract review and management with business owners including facilities and procurement teams. Maintain legal registers and register approvals. Work with other functional areas to develop, establish and implement improvements to ensure legal and corporate governance compliance on a regional and global level. Crete and implement policies to improve efficiencies. Develop and conduct in-house legal and compliance trainings for Tait staff and partners. Prepare board papers as required for corporate and board approval. Functional Outcomes General Contribute to commercial policy and process Work cross functionally to provide commercial support to teams in TEMA and globally as directed by the Legal and Compliance Director from time to time - such support may include legal and commercial advice, negotiation support, drafting of legal terms and conditions, review of documentation. Work independently on projects within the Tait Group as may be required from time to time including providing support for sales opportunities for Tait New Zealand and Tait Australia. Participate and contribute as a member of the Legal and Commercial Team. Advisory Provide sounds legal advice which considers the commercial drivers of the Tait Group and the region that is being supported. Support the business in the negotiation of disputes and act as a liaison with outside counsel for the management of litigation. Bids and Contracting Prepare, review and negotiate non-disclosure agreements. In accordance with the Tait Group policies, comply with Bid and Contract Review procedure, Supplier Assessments and Supply Partnering Framework used for the qualification and negotiation of commercial contracts. Prepare commercial / legal responses to tenders and RFPs. Work with related teams within Tait to ensure a cohesive end to end supply chain. This may include preparing teaming agreements, MOUs, sub-contracts and back to back terms, confirming scope of supply and roles and responsibilities in relation to sales opportunities. Ensure that there is clarity and completeness in respect of: bid offering and bid process the scope of Tait supply that there are appropriate commercial terms and conditions Negotiate contracts with clients, suppliers and partners, escalating issues as needed and prepare contract summaries for completed contracts for approval by management in accordance with Group Approval Levels. Contract Management / Administration Ensure that procedures are in place to review and manage completed contracts. Ensure that proper process is implemented for contract variations, price indexation adjustments and the like. Record completed contracts, maintain and improve group contract register. Working towards 100% contract inclusion. Undertake some administrative support of a commercial nature. Review, refine, improve and rationalise templates and documentation. Procurement & Supply Chain Pro-actively support the supply partnering, facilities management and HR functions with commercial advice on opportunities, initiatives and contracts. Work cross functionally to undertake supply partner reviews including providing risk reviews of suppliers, monitoring and compliance reports as required by group policy for ISO27001 compliance Other Prepared to undertake development opportunities and able to deputise for Legal and Commercial Director. Occupational Safety and Health All staff have an obligation to follow Tait policy and procedures. It is imperative that all employees actively participate in managing risks and hazards, reporting accidents, incidents and near accidents, and avoiding any action which may cause harm to yourself or others. This includes: Working in a safe manner to protect yourself, your fellow workers and all plant, property and equipment. Only operating equipment for which you have been trained and / or instructed in and hold appropriate authorisations for, or with specific supervision. Cooperating with all displayed rules, safety regulations, instructions, policies and procedures. Keeping your work area or equipment clean and tidy and maintaining a high level of housekeeping. Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Ensuring no acts or omissions while at work causes harm to yourself or any other person. Being familiar with all emergency equipment in your work area and all work-site emergency procedures. Not wilfully interfering with or misusing items or facilities provided in the interest of safety. Reporting all workplace illnesses, injuries and incidents as soon as possible using the reporting form and taking all reasonable action to eliminate their recurrence. Reporting any hazardous condition, situation or event. Person Specification Relevant competencies Leadership Actively uses and promotes the use of Tait values and competencies Outwardly promotes and supports corporate policies, procedures and decisions, suppressing personal views publicly in order to ensure a unified company view Co-operates and works well with other managers across functions in the pursuit of team goals Participates in company and community events Planning Plans approach and systematically implements process daily priorities are clearly in line with the overall plan prepares in advance and produces schedules which ensure the maximum use of time accurately forecasts future activity and opportunities follows through to ensure things are completed. Problem Solving Uses past experience to solve problems Searches for relevant information, questioning people about problems Investigates issues to establish the cause, using observation and structured techniques to solve problems Uses data to keep things on an objective basis Calculates costs and evaluates profitability Presents a range of solutions and evaluates alternatives Takes time out to think about problems and possible solutions Comes up with, and is open to others suggestions for, new ways of doing and looking at things Gathers the Facts Clarifies (internal and external) customers' objectives, ensuring that any action is based on a thorough understanding of their needs Gathers relevant information to assist in the development of customers' businesses Is aware of how information may be useful to other people within Tait and takes time to feed it back Seeks clarification where things are not clear Uses networks to gather information Decision Making Communicates decision making processes to be used Bases decisions on a sound understanding of the issues, making decisions in a timely and effective manner Considers and addresses the critical issues Assesses the feasibility and risk associated with various options and seeks to maximise profitability Makes trade-offs Will listen to other people's views but prepared to make the final decision when necessary Written Communication Thinks about the audience and what information they need Conveys a clear message through the accurate use of grammar and spelling Maintains accurate records of issues and progress Uses templates and other resources Methodically lays out all the steps and information required Interpersonal Skills Able to establish and maintain rapport with individuals and team Adaptable and receptive to new ideas Willing and able to adjust to changing demands and circumstances Remains calm, objective and in control in stressful situations Maintains a stable performance under pressure Accepts criticism without becoming over defensive Self-Development Demonstrates ability to be self-directed and motivated Takes responsibility for own development Actively pursues learning and career development opportunities Seeks out and acts upon feedback on own performance Has a stable temperament and never allows work to get on top of their performance Process Improvement Continually monitors and reviews efficiency of business processes in own area identifies any problems and proposes workable solutions Communicating Uses communication approaches that are effective, appropriate and influence others. Displays excellent listening skills with colleagues, customers and others. Commercial Partnering Knowledge Understands the key requirements for effective business partnering Demonstrates the ability to manager partnership relationships on an ongoing basis Technical/Professional Essential Bachelors of Law. Five or more years' experience in a similar role (will consider less or more for the right candidate). Excellent written and verbal communication skills - ability to make presentations when required. Advanced windows applications skills. Skilled in negotiation. Skilled in commercial risk analysis and mitigation strategies. Preference in an in-house environment will be viewed favourably. Desirable ICT / Technology contracts. System Integration agreements. International contracting / Contracting in different jurisdictions. Tender and procurement processes. Familiar with regulatory and compliance requirements in other countries of Europe, Africa and/or Middle East. Bilingual language skills in a European language Confidentiality of Information During and after your period of employment you have an obligation to not disclose Tait technological or business information to any persons or organisations if it is not directly relevant to the tasks you are performing for Tait. If you are ever in doubt about any confidentiality issue, first get permission from your manager before you act. You are also obliged to not use or allow the use of Tait proprietary information in original or adapted form for work in a field that competes with or prejudices the interests of Tait. Tait retains the rights to the intellectual property that you develop. (These aspects are more fully described in Appendix Two of the Tait Core Conditions of Employment.) Non‑Limitation Clause This job description is not intended to be a complete or limiting description of the functions that the employee may reasonably be requested to undertake. I have read and understood the contents of this job description. Signed (employee) Date (print name) Signed (employer) Date (print name) Job Posted by ApplicantPro