Senior M&A Counsel, Insurance

Fry & Brown; Paris; Hybrid; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Fry & Brown is assisting a leading global insurer with a senior M&A role based in Paris. You will steer high-stakes transactions from inception to closure, negotiating with counterparties and external counsel, and presenting strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders.

The role requires 7+ years of PQE from top firms, fluency in English and French, and the gravitas to engage with board-level committees. Hybrid working and international travel are integral to the position.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years' PQE with training from a leading corporate and international M&A firm.
• Fluent English and French are essential.
• Gravitas with senior management, sound commercial judgement, and the confidence to challenge external advice.
• Willingness to travel internationally, often at short notice.

Responsibilities

• Lead transactions from start to finish, negotiating with counterparties and external counsel.
• Provide advice on private and public M&A, IPOs, JVs, long-term partnerships and corporate restructurings.
• Collaborate with Deputy CEOs and Group committees to drive strategic deals.

Skills

Deal making

Cross-border deals

Stakeholder management

Autonomous working

Job description

A senior deal role at the centre of one of the world's largest insurance groups, advising on major transactions at board level.

Our client is a leading global insurer operating in around 50 countries. Its Group headquarters drives strategy across the business, and the Group Legal team is small, highly regarded, internationally diverse and has won awards for innovation. The Group is going through an active period of transformation, with major disposals, acquisitions and restructurings under way.

You will join the Group M&A legal team covering private and public M&A, IPOs, joint ventures, long-term strategic partnerships and large distribution agreements, as well as significant corporate restructuring projects. You will lead transactions from start to finish, negotiating directly with counterparties and external counsel. You will work directly with senior stakeholders Deputy CEOs and the Group on committees.

The client is looking for a solicitor with at least 7 years' PQE with training from a leading corporate and international M&A firm. Fluent English and French are essential. You may already be in-house, or you may be a senior associate ready to move in-house. Either way, you will need gravitas with senior management, sound commercial judgement, and the confidence to challenge external advice and the status quo. The team wants a deal maker, not a deal blocker: someone who works well autonomously and collaboratively, and who is comfortable travelling internationally, often at short notice.

This role offers rare exposure to the most senior levels of a global group, with a steady pipeline of complex, high-profile cross-border transactions. The culture is collaborative and international, and the team actively encourages innovative legal structuring. Hybrid working, a strong focus on training and real scope for internal mobility are also on offer.