Corporate Counsel – Contracting

Description

Gcis Corporate Counsel Contracting will provide comprehensive legal support to a wide range of company business units departments and subsidiaries. This role is responsible for reviewing drafting and negotiating contracts; supporting larger corporate transactions; delivering practical legal advice on day-to-day business matters; and ensuring legal compliance while advancing the companys business objectives. This position requires a proactive business-oriented attorney who thrives in a dynamic fast-paced environment demonstrating initiative creativity and sound judgment to navigate a diverse array of legal and business challenges.

Positions Customer(s): GCI business units departments subsidiaries and internal stakeholders across multiple functional areas.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Contract Drafting Review & Negotiation

• Serve as the primary legal resource for drafting reviewing negotiating and finalizing a wide range of commercial agreements including but not limited to master services agreements software licensing agreements SaaS PaaS IaaS agreements vendor contracts professional services agreements and technology-related agreements.
• Analyze legal terms and assess business regulatory and compliance risks with a strong understanding of cybersecurity privacy intellectual property AI and data protection implications.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure agreements reflect business needs while protecting the companys legal and financial interests.
• Engage and effectively manage outside counsel as needed on complex contract negotiations and specialized subject matters.

Corporate Transactions & General Counsel Support

• Provide legal guidance on broader corporate matters mergers and acquisitions and strategic business transactions.
• Assist General Counsel in keeping corporate books of GCI subsidiaries making corporate and public company filings corporate regulatory monitoring and keeping officer lists up to date.
• Monitor changes in relevant laws regulations and industry standards and proactively advise the business on their potential impact.

Strategic Legal Support & Counsel

• Act as a trusted legal advisor to business units by providing timely practical and solutions-oriented legal counsel to advance corporate objectives while minimizing risk.
• Partner with business teams to understand operational needs evaluate legal risks and develop innovative solutions that align with company goals.
• Apply existing legal knowledge while developing expertise on novel legal and regulatory issues affecting the telecommunications and technology sectors.

Contract Administration Support

• Advise and support the contract administration team on contract structuring legal review negotiation strategies and drafting of agreements.
• Develop and refine contract templates playbooks and negotiation guidelines to promote consistency efficiency and compliance across the organization.
• Provide training and guidance to contract administration personnel and business stakeholders on legal considerations and best practices in contract management.

COMPETENCIES:

• ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions decisions and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve. Positive self-starter with ability to take initiative identify needs and work independently with minimal direction and supervision.
  • Takes full ownership for actions decisions and outcomes; accepts feedback constructively and demonstrates a continuous desire to improve performance.
  • Positive self-starter who takes initiative to identify needs develop solutions and follow through with minimal supervision.
  • Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct; adheres to GCIs Code of Conduct and Basic Principles at all times.
  • Protects confidential information and complies with internal controls security policies and all applicable business conduct guidelines.
• BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust confidence and respect; adheres to GCIs Code of Conduct for Employees the Basic Principles.
• COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.
  • Builds and maintains positive collaborative relationships across all levels of the organization including with internal clients external counsel and business partners.
  • Ability to navigate difficult conversations and negotiate outcomes while preserving long-term business relationships.
• COMMUNICATION - Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills with the ability to clearly and persuasively communicate complex legal concepts to both legal and non-legal audiences.
• COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCIs Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
• CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
• RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings training and other work obligations.
• RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge initiative sound decision making innovation adaptability and problem solving.
  • Effectively manages and prioritizes a diverse workload in a dynamic fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and deadlines.
  • Demonstrates flexibility and resilience maintaining composure under pressure and managing multiple projects with competing demands.
  • Actively develops relationships and networks across the organization to influence outcomes and drive business initiatives forward.
  • Maintains a collegial solution-oriented approach even in high-pressure or complex situations.
• SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complying with applicable Enterprise Security Office policies and procedures.
• CHANGE MANAGEMENT - champions and supports department and company change.
  • Supports and champions change management initiatives helping teams adapt to evolving business priorities and regulatory developments.
• DECISION MAKING - uses sound logical judgment based on data research and experience to choose an appropriate course of action.
  • Demonstrates a strong understanding of business operations strategic priorities and financial drivers; applies legal expertise to advance corporate objectives.
  • Uses sound data-informed judgment and research-based analysis to make decisions that mitigate risk and support business growth.
  • Proactively identifies legal risks and proposes practical solutions that balance legal requirements with business needs.
  • Maintains a customer-centric approach consistently prioritizing service excellence and business partner satisfaction.
• TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY -Technically proficient in MS Office applications (Outlook Teams Word Excel) and legal document management systems; comfortable navigating databases intranet portals and collaboration tools to efficiently complete work assignments.
  • Strong foundation in commercial contract law corporate transactions and complex commercial negotiations with both transactional and litigation perspectives.
  • Extensive experience drafting reviewing negotiating and closing a wide variety of complex agreements including commercial contracts technology licenses SaaS procurement agreements and corporate acquisition transactions.
  • Demonstrated ability to resolve complex legal and business issues creatively and effectively.
  • Strong knowledge of or demonstrated interest in privacy data protection and cybersecurity regulatory frameworks.
  • Skilled in managing multiple transactions and legal matters simultaneously while maintaining strategic oversight and attention to detail.
  • Proficient in legal research and analysis with strong analytical and organizational skills that support sound legal judgment.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Juris Doctorate Degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar; eligible for admission as Corporate Counsel in Alaska.
• Minimum of five years of progressive legal experience including significant commercial contracting and transactional work preferably in both law firm and in-house environments.*

Preferred:

• Familiarity with legal issues related to telecommunications technology software licensing cybersecurity data privacy procurement and intellectual property.
• Other relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

• This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations offices worksites or other locations as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is primarily sedentary requiring daily routine computer usage.
• Ability to work shifts as assigned work in standard office/home office setting and operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
• Physical agility and effort sufficiently to perform job duties safely and effectively.
• Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.
• Available to work additional time on weekends holidays before or after normal work hours when necessary.
• Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.
• Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.
• Occasional out-of-town travel for meetings and training/conferences.
• Occasional extra work required throughout the year. Heavy extra work required for specific transactions; may involve working during evenings and weekends. May need to attend periodic evening meetings.
• Employee will be exposed to rigorous debates when developing legal positions and strategies.

The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to the immediate emergency. As such you will be requested to provide emergency after-hour contact numbers to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services.Culture Engagement and Connection:At GCI we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees customers and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer.EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race color religion national origin age sex sexual orientation gender identity marital status mental or physical disability veteran status or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.