Legal Counsel Corporate, M&A and Finance

Job Summary

We are looking for a Legal Counsel Corporate, M&A and Finance to join our Belgrade-based team. This position is responsible for supporting all functions of the organization across various material, complex and strategic legal matters concerning corporate, M&A and finance, with an emphasis on commercial contracting and transactional support. The position is based in the group’s Shared Services Center in Belgrade, Serbia, and reports into the Senior Legal Counsel Corporate, M&A and Finance.

gategroup is a global food and hospitality company offering a full spectrum of culinary experiences and services for all tastes and preferences. We deliver operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving more than 700 million passengers annually in over 60 countries worldwide. We bring together the best culinary minds to shape the future of cuisine.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide legal support in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating international and local commercial contracts, primarily related to procurement, corporate, and HR matters, and liaise with internal stakeholders and third parties as required.
• Assist with domestic and international M&A and finance transactions, including participation in due diligence processes and preparation of relevant transaction documentation.
• Support headquarters and subsidiary stakeholders on general corporate and commercial matters, including involvement in national and international legal projects.
• Identify potential legal risks and contribute to practical solutions aimed at mitigating risk and minimizing business disruption.
• Assist with legal operations and administrative matters, including maintenance of legal databases and drafting, reviewing, and processing legal documentation.
• Coordinate with external legal advisors and internal teams, supporting engagement management and budget monitoring where necessary.
• Collaborate closely with the group legal team and regional stakeholders to promote effective communication and knowledge sharing.
• Support the use and maintenance of standard contract templates and provide guidance to internal stakeholders on their application.

Qualifications

Education

• Law degree from a reputable law school / university and admitted to a bar of relevance
• Excellent academic credentials

Work Experience

• 2 - 4 years of relevant experience in a multinational corporate environment or international law firm
• Demonstrated experience in independently negotiating, drafting and reviewing commercial contracts and documentation or handling of corporate, M&A and finance matters
• Proven track record of working successfully in an international and decentralized environment and in cross-cultural teams

Other Skills and Experience

• Ability to manage assigned legal matters with a high degree of autonomy, including prioritization, stakeholder coordination and delivery of high-quality legal output, while appropriately escalating complex or high-risk issues
• Ability to provide high-quality legal services globally in the relevant areas of responsibility that are technically excellent, commercially relevant, timely, effective, cost efficient and risk appropriate
• General agility, sound judgement and a highly developed legal and commercial sense with a pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach
• Team player in fast-paced and high-performance culture with highest levels of ethics and integrity
• Self-motivated person with a structured work approach, conceptual thinking, and strategic reasoning, while being hands-on and not afraid of making decisions
• Superior analytic and problem-solving skills with outstanding attention to detail
• Strong business and operational acumen and ability to effectively balance legal requirements against commercial and operational needs
• Ability to multitask, prioritize and deliver under pressure
• Excellent time management skills

Language / Communication Skills

• Strong technical and legal writing skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills that allow to effectively facilitate, influence and communicate with legal teams, senior management and other stakeholders as well as with external partners
• Effective negotiation skills
• Fluent and articulate English speaker with advanced English drafting and writing skills particularly involving sensitive matters asl well as complex legal, commercial and operational concepts. Knowledge of other languages is considered an advantage