Senior M&A Counsel

Job Description SummaryWe are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Senior M&A Counsel to join our nimble and dynamic legal team at GE Vernova, a ~$250+ billion global energy company. This role is pivotal to driving complex M&A transactions, advising on strategic initiatives, and building scalable legal frameworks to support the company’s rapid growth across global markets. With a focus on leadership, execution, and collaboration, this position requires a seasoned professional capable of managing multiple high-stakes deals autonomously while engaging with senior executives and cross-functional teams. This role reports to the Lead M&A Counsel and works in close partnership with the VP, Business Development, Chief Corporate Counsel and Chief Legal Officer.

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities:

M&A Transaction Management 

• Lead all legal aspects of assigned global M&A transactions from inception through post-closing matters, including deal structuring, due diligence, risk allocation, negotiation, and closing, exercising independent judgment on strategy and approach while keeping senior leadership appropriately informed
• Advise on potential deal structures, including stock purchase agreements, asset acquisitions, joint ventures, and mergers
• Draft and negotiate key transaction documents, including purchase agreements, confidentiality agreements, letters of intent, and ancillary agreements
• Work closely with other functional legal experts in areas such as antitrust and securities to ensure regulatory compliance and other legal considerations relevant to transactions
• Oversee post-closing activities, including contract assignments, resolution of outstanding issues, and compliance with post-closing obligations. 

Strategic Advisory 

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing strategic insights on M&A transactions and related opportunities. Translate legal risks into clear business impact, providing actionable guidance aligned with business needs and outcomes. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align legal strategy with business objectives, enhancing value creation across the enterprise. 
• Support integration planning from a legal perspective, ensuring that strategic acquisitions deliver the anticipated value

Governance and Compliance 

• Develop and maintain robust M&A deal governance frameworks to ensure compliance with enterprise-wide policies and regulatory requirements. 
• Work with functional experts in the preparation of regulatory disclosures, and other governance-related documentation for M&A transactions. 
• Monitor and manage compliance with post-closing obligations and address any disputes arising from completed transactions

Leadership, Framework Building, and Coordination 

• Partner with and influence a high-performing, globally distributed business development team and cross-functional stakeholders — using indirect influence (without direct reporting authority) to upskill team members, elevate collective capability, and foster a collaborative and inclusive culture. 
• Champion the value and capabilities of the legal function by engaging with stakeholders across the enterprise. 
• Drive strategic initiatives, including the adoption of Lean principles, to improve operational efficiency and contribute to recommendations on resource allocation within the M&A function. 
• Drive the design and implementation of scalable frameworks and operational processes for M&A to support the company’s rapid growth, ensuring alignment across geographies. 
• Partner with external counsel to provide cost-effective, high-quality legal solutions for complex M&A transactions, and hold external counsel accountable for cost discipline, quality of work product, and delivery against agreed timelines and outcomes. 
• Build repeatable systems for M&A knowledge sharing and stakeholder engagement, enabling seamless execution of global transactions. 

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree; admission to a recognized bar association
• Significant legal experience, with a strong focus on M&A transactions, preferably in both law firm and in-house environments. 
• Proven track record of managing complex, high-value global M&A transactions autonomously. 
• Expertise in regulatory compliance, governance, and risk management for cross-border transactions. 
• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills. 
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities, with a business-oriented mindset. 
• Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting to senior executives. 
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, managing multiple priorities simultaneously. 

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience in the energy sector, power generation, regulated utilities, or infrastructure industries. 
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks applicable to the energy sector, cross-border infrastructure transactions, or regulated industries is strongly preferred. 

Travel & Other: This role requires regular travel among GE Vernova's offices, as well as periodic international travel to support global transactions.

Estimated travel is 10%. Expectations are for presence in office at least 3 days per week.

Why Join GE Vernova? 

• Join a company at a pivotal moment: spun off from GE in April 2024, GE Vernova is building its own identity and M&A capability as an independent public company. 
• Work on landmark transactions, including the recently completed $5.275 billion Prolec GE acquisition, that are shaping the future of the global energy transition. 
• Collaborate with senior leadership on enterprise-wide strategy in a fast-growing company with approximately 85,000+ employees across 100+ countries. 
• Enjoy opportunities for professional growth and direct impact in a dynamic corporate environment where the legal function is a strategic partner to the business. 

Additional Information