Assistant General Counsel - M&A

Welcome to Haleon. We’re a purpose-driven, world-class consumer company putting everyday health in the hands of millions. In just three years since our launch, we’ve grown, evolved and are now entering an exciting new chapter – one filled with bold ambitions and enormous opportunity. Our trusted portfolio of brands – including Sensodyne, Panadol, Advil, Voltaren, Theraflu, Otrivin, and Centrum – lead in resilient and growing categories. What sets us apart is our unique blend of deep human understanding and trusted science. Now it’s time to fully realise the full potential of our business and our people. We do this through our Win as One strategy. It puts our purpose – to deliver better everyday health with humanity – at the heart of everything we do. It unites us, inspires us, and challenges us to be better every day, driven by our agile, performance-focused culture.

About the Role

The role of Assistant General Counsel will be part of the M&A and Business Development Legal Team reporting to the Head of Corporate Legal. The role will be responsible for, amongst other things, legal support for worldwide business development ("BD"), mergers and acquisitions ("M&A") and Corporate Finance activity for Haleon. The role will require engagement and influence across the central corporate stakeholder group, with particular focus on the Head of BD and M&A and their reports, as well as the ability to work cross-functionally with Group Legal, Supply Chain, R&D/Innovation, Treasury, Tax, Investor Relations, Communications and Finance.

The role will be a key strategic partner to deliver Haleon’s Inorganic Growth Strategy. To do so, the role requires deep subject matter experience in public and private M&A, divestitures, corporate transactions and licensing at an operational/execution level. In addition, and critically, the role requires the ability to partner cross-functionally to design M&A strategies and hold a seat at the table with our partners in the finance and corporate strategy functions. The role is particularly suited for an individual who thrives in multi-stakeholder teams in the fast-paced BD sector across jurisdictions and across businesses and brands in a truly global role. In terms of development, this role carries critical responsibility for the establishment and delivery of high-quality transactional strategy and support to Haleon. The role will be responsible for leading a team of three M&A and BD lawyers and has the potential for growth and advancement as part of a high performing legal team at Haleon, including as potential successor to the Head of Corporate Legal.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Assistant General Counsel for global M&A, BD and Corporate Finance. The role will require the successful candidate to partner effectively cross-functionally to develop and execute strategy on complex transactions.
• Innovate on due diligence, transaction process and agreement templates with focus on the use of technology and AI to modernise transaction support.
• Manage external advisers including External Counsel, consultants, financial advisers in a cost efficient and effective manner.
• Partner with members of Group Legal on other aspects of deal advisory work including financing, insurance, anti-trust and competition law.

What You’ll Bring

Basic Qualifications:

• Strong academic background, University Degree or equivalent law degree and law conversion.
• Legal Practice Course complete.
• 15 years PQE in one or more of the following substantive areas: M&A, Corporate, Commercial, Competition, Intellectual Property, Tax and Licensing Demonstrable and extensive global transactions experience.
• Strong commerciality and familiarity with how value is created through M&A Comfortable leading negotiations alongside BD colleagues.
• Experience operating with senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new legal concepts quickly, proactively identify issues, and succeed in developing solutions in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills, including careful listening to facilitate understanding of business needs, and the ability to translate complex legal considerations into practical business advice.
• Track record of accountability and sound judgment, including ability and willingness to take ownership of projects, prioritize and resolve issues, and obtain business results.
• Strong negotiation and drafting skills.
• Detail-oriented yet pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
• High energy and motivation to learn new areas, stay current with relevant legal developments, influence leadership, and contribute to the success of Haleon.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in consumer healthcare or fast-moving consumer goods industry.
• Experience operating in an international context.
• Post-qualified experience working in the corporate department of a top tier law firm.
• In-house experience through a permanent role.
• Participation as a member of an in-house leadership team.

Why Haleon

Our Win as One Framework is a simple, stretching definition of our future direction. It includes our purpose, ambitions, strategic drivers, and behaviours that will enable us to Win as One. This framework guides our decision-making, strategy, and culture. The successful candidate will demonstrate the following capabilities:

• Consumer first, always: Engage key business counterparts and operational stakeholders to deliver operational execution of Haleon strategies related to eCommerce activities, always putting the consumer first.
• Collaborate for impact: Establish and maintain relationships with critical groups to ensure customer knowledge is utilized to inform and deliver on the eCommerce roadmap, collaborating for impact.
• Unlock value, at pace: Drive business process improvement throughout the commercial and operational support teams, unlocking value at pace.
• Grow myself and others: Continuously look for opportunities to learn, build skills, and share learning, growing myself and others.

Equal Opportunities

Haleon are committed to mobilising our purpose in a way that represents the diverse consumers and communities who rely on our brands every day. It guides us in creating an inclusive culture, where different backgrounds and views are valued and respected – all in support of understanding and best serving the needs of our consumers and unleashing the full potential of our people. It’s important to us that Haleon is a place where all our employees feel they truly belong.

During the application process, we may ask you to share some personal information, which is entirely voluntary. This information ensures we meet certain regulatory and reporting obligations and supports the development, refinement, and execution of our inclusion and belonging programmes that are open to all Haleon employees. The personal information you provide will be kept confidential, used only for legitimate business purposes, and will never be used in making any employment decisions, including hiring decisions.