Legal Counsel, M&A (12 month FTC)

We are Reckitt, home to the world's best loved and trusted hygiene, health, and nutrition brands. Our purpose defines why we exist: to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We are a global team united by this purpose. Join us in our fight to make access to the highest quality hygiene, wellness, and nourishment a right and not a privilege.

Step into the world of our Legal and Compliance Function and prepare to be challenged and stretched with a combination of impact, innovation, and excellence. Our Legal team is at the forefront of shaping the corporate landscape and redefining the boundaries of what is possible. We go beyond the traditional realms of a legal and compliance function, transforming ourselves into strategic partners who help drive business growth, mitigate risks, and champion ethical and sustainable practices. Every day, our team delivers on groundbreaking transactions and navigates complex regulatory landscapes that help our organisation make a positive societal impact. Join us, and you will be collaborating towards shared goals, solving complex challenges, and leaving an enduring legacy.

About the role: This role is an integral part of the deal team, supporting predominantly on international merger, acquisition, and divestment activity relating to the Reckitt group of companies, helping to advise the business on key considerations and risk areas. You will have the chance to enhance your skills in identifying business risks and deepen your legal expertise through engaging and complex projects. Additionally, you will have exposure and opportunities to collaborate in stakeholder management, work closely with external counsel, and contribute to driving business innovation and legal solutions, leveraging technology to make impactful improvements.

Your responsibilities:

• Serve as a key support to the Group M&A Legal team on deals by working cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders and advisers.
• Undertake process management and review and draft transaction documents including confidentiality agreements and adviser engagement letters, as well as principal and ancillary agreements such as transitional services agreements.
• Assist with facilitating the integration of feedback from cross-functional teams (e.g., Accounting, Finance, Tax, R&D, Supply).
• Act as a point of facilitation between functional teams and propose business and legal solutions to the context under the guidance of your supervisor.
• Engage and manage external legal counsel supporting on projects.
• Understand and apply all legal know-how materials, including guidelines, playbooks, and standard operating procedures.
• Support in identifying, assessing, and mitigating legal risks in M&A transactions.

The experience we're looking for:

• A qualified solicitor of at least 2 years PQE in England and Wales, Scotland or other common law jurisdiction.
• Experience in handling aspects of M&A transactions, including due diligence, negotiation, and execution of transaction documents.
• High level of attention to detail and ability to prioritise and manage a diverse workload working within tight deadlines.
• Cross-functional stakeholder management.
• In-house experience and/or FMCG exposure would be valuable.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft suite e.g. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ensure adherence to corporate governance standards and practices.

Personal attributes:

• Strive for excellence and proactively seek improvements to processes.
• Strong communicator with the ability to communicate effectively with a non-legal audience both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to utilise data and facts to inform legal decisions.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

The skills for success:

• Integrity
• Corporate Governance
• Compliance Management
• Solutions Focused
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Risk management
• Intellectual property
• Patents
• Commercial contracts
• Marketing
• Teamwork
• Fact-based Decision Making
• Ability to manage and prioritise workload
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Legal Services
• Process Optimisation
• Qualified Lawyer

What we offer: With inclusion at the heart of everything we do, working alongside our four global Employee Resource Groups, we support our people at every step of their career journey, helping them to succeed in their own individual way. We invest in the wellbeing of our people through parental benefits, an Employee Assistance Program to promote mental health, and life insurance for all employees globally. We have a range of other benefits in line with the local market. Through our global share plans we offer the opportunity to save and share in Reckitt's potential future successes. For eligible roles, we also offer short-term incentives to recognise, appreciate and reward your work for delivering outstanding results. You will be rewarded in line with Reckitt's pay for performance philosophy.

Equality: We recognise that in real life, great people don't always 'tick all the boxes'. That's why we hire for potential as well as experience. Even if you don't meet every point on the job description, if this role and our company feels like a good fit for you, we still want to hear from you. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, disability or medical condition; colour, ethnicity, race, citizenship, and national origin; religion, faith; pregnancy, family status and caring responsibilities; sexual orientation; sex, gender identity, gender expression, and transgender identity; protected veteran status; size or any other basis protected by appropriate law.