Senior M&A Counsel

Job Description Summary

We 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

Relocation Assistance Provided: No

GE Vernova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.