Senior M&A Legal Counsel

Company Description

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity.Our 99,600 employees operate a network of2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Job Description

The SeniorM&A Legal Counselwill play a pivotal role in supporting the organization's strategic M&A initiatives and corporate legal matters. This role combines deep transactional expertise with strategic legal advisory responsibilities, ensuring smooth execution of high-value and multi-jurisdictional transactions. The successful candidate will lead legal workstreams for significant projects while providing oversight for smaller, country-level deals, ensuring compliance, risk management, and alignment with corporate objectives.

Strategic and Transactional M&A Support:

• Lead legal workstreams for larger bolt-on and strategic M&A transactions, including transaction structuring, due diligence, drafting, reviewing and negotiating transactional documents.
• Provide guidance and oversight on smaller bolt-on acquisitions, collaborating with in-country teams to manage risks and ensure alignment with group strategy.
• Coordinate with Corporate Development, Tax, Finance, and other functions to structure and execute transactions efficiently.

Legal Advisory and Operational Support:

• Provide legal input on intercompany restructurings or reorganizations, financing arrangements and similar transactions.
• Ensure compliance with company laws, financial transaction regulations, and Swiss stock exchange requirements.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on legal aspects of strategic transactions and corporate governance.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with C-level executives to align on deal strategies and execution.
• Manage external counsel and vendors to ensure high-quality support and cost efficiency during transactions.
• Provide support to the Corporate Development team in areas requiring legal expertise.

Team and Leadership Development:

• Act as a legal point of contact for strategic projects, fostering collaboration across geographic and functional boundaries.
• Provide guidance to country team members and contribute to the development of a cohesive, best in class M&A practices aligned with organizational priorities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in law or equivalent qualification; admission to the bar in Switzerland or another relevant jurisdiction.
• At least 7 years of experience in Corporate / M&A in a law firm, private equity, or an in-house legal role.
• Proven track record of handling complex, high-value cross-border transactions from inception to completion.
• Expertise in managing legal workstreams, including due diligence, negotiation, and drafting of transactional documents.
• Familiarity with Swiss stock exchange regulations

Key Competencies and Skills:

• Highly analytical and organized, with excellent attention to detail.
• Self-confident and ambitious, capable of working autonomously while managing cross-functional and cross-geographic teams.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with C-level executives and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage dynamic workloads and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Information

Why this role at SGS?

• A strategic and impactful role at the heart of the organization’s global M&A activities.
• Opportunity to work on high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions and strategic projects.
• Collaboration with senior leadership and exposure to complex business challenges.

Join Us:At SGS, we are committed to fostering an open, friendly, and supportive culture that thrives on teamwork. We value diversity and provide endless opportunities to learn, grow your expertise, and fulfill your potential. Apply now to be part of our motivated and dynamic team!