Legal Counsel (M&A)

This role represents an exciting opportunity to help develop and enhance the legal function at the heart of a rapidly growing, global business, and to work with the senior management to help accelerate the growth of the business, by acquisition and organically, and to position the Group for further success.

This is an M&A-focused role at the heart of a busy and successful Group Legal function, reporting to the Legal Director, M&A. It will primarily involve support for international M&A activity, including legal responsibility for a pipeline of your own transactions. Where possible, it will also give the opportunity to provide support for other critical areas such as commercial, IP, IT, procurement, litigation, governance and compliance initiatives.

The successful candidate will work closely with both the Group and divisional legal teams and key functions and management across the business to help create value and generate growth through delivering the acquisitions pipeline. While managing this, the successful candidate will ensure that the Group's businesses are compliant and that risks are effectively managed. They will form part of the Group legal and company secretarial team, and a wider global legal function of around 50 professionals, including colleagues based in the US, France, Germany, Italy, India, the UK and Australia.

Major Responsibilities/Accountabilities

• Support for international M&A activity, from smaller bolt-on acquisitions to new country entries and major transactions. This is expected to be the core of the role, working with the Legal Director, M&A, the General Counsel - Corporate and the central M&A team and in-country/region management, as well as external counsel and advisers as necessary, acting as supporting legal adviser.
• Providing general legal support and advice across a range of areas including commercial, IP, IT, procurement, litigation, governance and compliance with assistance from external experts in the relevant field where necessary.

Requirements

Technical / Professional Skills & Competencies

• Legal expertise: strong analytical skills, experience of dealing with complex legal issues, delivery of straightforward, pragmatic, action-oriented advice.
• Influencing skills: a strong ability to affect the behaviour of multiple stakeholders so that a good legal and fiscal position is maintained for the company.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, to identify and resolve legal issues, comfortable working with less-than-perfect information and recommending courses of action despite uncertainty.
• Interest in understanding the business in depth, and operating within a dynamic, international context.
• Willingness to work in areas of law that are new to the candidate with appropriate support.
• Able to work well as a team member and build rapport and trust with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, flexible environment.
• Must possess a high level of integrity and professionalism.
• Possess highly-developed organisational skills and be articulate, detail-oriented and hard-working.

Certifications / Education

The candidate will be a lawyer qualified in England & Wales (solicitor or barrister, with 1-3 years PQE).

Professional Experience

• Must have considerable M&A experience.
• Trained at a reputable firm or in a major corporation's corporate / M&A legal department.
• Deep knowledge, understanding and experience of advising on and managing legal support for M&A transactions. International experience is preferred.
• Experience of other legal areas (e.g., dealing with contracts, IP, litigation, competition, technology) would be advantageous, this is not essential as M&A is at the core of the role.
• In-house experience would be an advantage but is not a requirement.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme.
• Hybrid working.
• Rentokil Initial Reward Scheme.
• 23 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Death in service benefit.
• Healthcare.
• Free parking.

At Rentokil Initial, our customers and colleagues represent diverse backgrounds and experiences. We take pride in being an equal opportunity employer, actively encouraging applications from individuals from all walks of life. Our belief is that everyone irrespective of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs, has the potential to thrive and contribute.

We embrace the differences that make each of our colleagues unique, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can be their authentic selves and feel a sense of belonging. To ensure that your journey with us is accessible if you have any individual requirements we invite you to communicate any specific needs or preferences you may have during any stage of the recruitment process. Our team is available to support you; feel free to reach out to (joanna.sharpe@rentokil-initial.com) if you need anything.

Be Yourself in Your Application! At Rentokil Initial, we value innovation, but we want to see the real you! While AI can help with structure and grammar, make sure your application shows your true passion and understanding of the role. A personal touch will help you stand out.