Project Manager

Taylor Root has been instructed by Sodexo to source a Group M&A Legal Counsel to be based in its headquarters in Issy-Les-Moulineaux.

About the group :

Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is the global leader in services that improve Quality of Life, with annual revenues of €22.1 billion and more than 420,000 employees operating in 56 countries.

Sodexo serves 100 million consumers each day through its unique combination of On-site Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

Sodexo is also a global leader of the Live events hospitality experience and contributes to the success of prestigious events such as the Super Bowl, the Tour de France, Roland Garros and the upcoming 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. In addition, Sodexo operates exceptional venues including the restaurants of the Eiffel Tower (Jules Verne, Madame Brasserie), the Pré Catelan and the boats and yachts of the Seine River.

Sodexo’s success and performance are founded on its strong entrepreneurial spirit, independence, its sustainable business model and its ability to continuously develop and engage its employees throughout the world.

Sodexo promotes the fulfilment of its employees and contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the local communities with which it works.

About the role :

External growth has and will continue to be an important component of Sodexo’s growth story. The Group M&A legal team works transversally across all business lines and geographies of the Sodexo Group on the execution of all Sodexo M&A activity, working closely with the finance, tax and business teams. The scope of the M&A legal function begins from the deal sourcing through structuring, negotiation, signing, closing and post-closing support.

Responsibilities :

• Lead legal aspects of M&A transactions, and work closely with the business, jointly with the group M&A finance and tax teams.
• Draft and negotiate transaction documents.
• Assist the business teams on the assessment and management of legal and commercial risk linked to M&A transactions.
• Participate in the preparation of executive approval and help to ensure that M&A transactions are conducted in accordance with the Company’s internal governance processes.
• Instruct external lawyers and manage external legal fees under appropriate supervision.
• Follow-up on post-closing matters.

Requirements :

• You will have around 5-7 years of post-qualified experience in Corporate / M&A gained while working in a top-tier law firm or multinational company.
• Fluency in French and English both oral and written is essential to fill this role.

Location :

• Though travel is not excessive, candidates must be prepared to travel occasionally throughout the regions where Sodexo operates.
• You will work at the head office of the Sodexo group located in Issy-Les-Moulineaux, accessible from Paris by RER C, Tram T2 from La Défense and Porte de Versailles or metro line 12. The company has a smart working policy.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who is keen to develop their career in-house while working on M&A deals at an international level.