The Role
Lead legal strategy for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, investments, and other corporate transactions. Draft and negotiate transaction documents, manage due diligence and outside counsel, advise executives and boards on legal and regulatory risks, coordinate banking regulator approvals, and support integration and post-closing governance. The role also provides counsel on strategic initiatives, partnerships, vendor transactions, compliance matters, and regulatory inquiries.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Summary & Responsibilities
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Lead and manage all legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, asset purchases, branch acquisitions, strategic investments, and support related capital markets, securities and other corporate transactions.
- Structure, draft, negotiate, and review letters of intent, confidentiality agreements, purchase agreements, merger agreements, ancillary transaction documents, and disclosure schedules.
- Exercise significant independent judgment in advising business leaders and executives, escalating matters and offering practical advice based on materiality, complexity, reputational impact, or legal risk.
- Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams and oversee legal due diligence processes, including management of internal stakeholders and outside counsel.
- Identify and advise on legal, regulatory, litigation, employment, operational, compliance, and contractual risks arising from potential transactions.
- Develop and execute transaction-related regulatory approval strategies, including coordination of filings, applications, approvals, regulator engagement, responses to information requests, and satisfaction of approval conditions with applicable federal and state banking regulators.
- Prepare concise, decision-ready materials for executive management (and as necessary the Board of Directors) regarding transaction structure, key legal and regulatory risks, approval requirements, alternatives, and recommended mitigation strategies.
- Support transaction integration and post-closing activities, including implementation of legal and governance requirements.
- Advise business leaders and executive management on strategic initiatives, partnerships, vendor transactions, and other significant commercial arrangements.
- Select, manage, and evaluate outside counsel and other transaction advisors; establish expectations regarding scope, staffing, timelines, and budgets; ensure timely, high-quality, commercially practical legal support.
- Partner with Compliance, Risk, and business units to evaluate regulatory implications of strategic transactions.
- Assist with examination inquiries and regulatory requests related to corporate transactions and strategic initiatives.
Required Skills:
- Strong understanding of M&A transaction structures and negotiation strategy.
- Ability to assess and communicate legal and business risks in a concise and actionable manner.
- Excellent drafting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative approach with strong executive presence and interpersonal skills.
- High degree of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
Required Experience:
- Juris Doctorate, minimum of 10 years of mergers and acquisition experience, through a combination of law firm and in-house roles and active membership in good standing with at least one state bar. Extensive experience drafting and negotiating complex transaction documents and independently managing transactions through closing and integration. Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated business judgment and the ability to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice.
Preferred Experience:
- Relevant experience within the banking industry.
Skills Required
- Juris Doctorate degree
- At least 10 years of mergers and acquisitions experience through law firm and in-house roles
- Active membership in good standing with at least one state bar
- Strong understanding of M&A transaction structures and negotiation strategy
- Experience drafting and negotiating complex transaction documents
- Experience independently managing transactions through closing and integration
- Strong project management, communication, analytical, drafting, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to assess and communicate legal and business risks concisely
- Demonstrated business judgment and ability to provide practical, solution-oriented legal advice
- Relevant banking industry experience
Valley Bank Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Valley Bank and has not been reviewed or approved by Valley Bank.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage spans medical, dental, and vision with HSA/FSA options alongside life, AD&D, disability, and EAP support. The breadth presents as a comprehensive, modern package for a regional bank.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off offerings include vacation/PTO, sick leave, and volunteer PTO. Feedback suggests these elements contribute positively to work–life balance even when base pay feels light.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a 401(k) with company match and, for eligible employees, a deferred compensation plan. The presence of these programs strengthens total compensation.
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The Company
What We Do
At Valley, we aren’t just your average financial institution; we're your trusted partner in building a brighter future. With a widespread presence across the U.S., we've been serving communities since 1927. For over 95 years, our team of dedicated professionals has been committed to creating better banking opportunities for our customers and fostering growth and prosperity in the communities we serve. From personalized financial solutions to comprehensive banking services, home mortgages, commercial lending, and wealth management, we're here to help you achieve your financial goals, no matter how big or small. We understand that each individual and business has unique challenges and opportunities, and we're here to listen, understand, and provide tailored solutions to help you succeed. ©2025 Valley National Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Housing Lender. All Rights Reserved.
