Senior Corporate Transactions Counsel

Merck; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 331,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. is seeking a Legal Counsel, Corporate Transactions to provide strategic legal counsel and transaction support for complex business development and corporate transactions.

The role partners with business leaders through structuring, due diligence, negotiation and closing, covering M&A, divestitures, JVs, licensing, and collaborations. The position requires at least four years of transactional experience, a JD from a US law school, and NJ bar admission or eligibility, with strong

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from a US law school and active bar membership in at least one state.
• 4+ years of transactional legal experience in law firm or corporate setting.
• Experience drafting and negotiating sophisticated transactional agreements and managing related workstreams.
• Ability to manage multiple complex transactions and cross-functional workstreams under tight deadlines.
• Familiarity with legal AI tools and data protection considerations.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business development and licensing teams on complex transactions balancing business objectives and legal risk.
• Provide strategic, practical legal advice on transaction structure, negotiation strategy, and post-signing considerations.
• Lead or support structuring, due diligence, negotiation and documentation of M&A, divestitures, joint ventures, licensing, collaborations, and related agreements.
• Identify risks and communicate clearly with business partners, developing mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to plan, manage workstreams and drive execution to closing.
• Advise on applicable corporate, securities, antitrust and other laws affecting transactions; supervise outside counsel.
• Prepare executive communications on status, risks and recommended actions.
• Mentor paralegals and junior staff; uphold high ethical standards.

Skills

Legal acumen

M&A advisory

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Project management

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Bar admission (NJ or eligible)

Undergraduate degree

Tools

Contracts management

Legal research

Due diligence

Job description

Merck & Co., Inc. is seeking a Legal Counsel, Corporate Transactions to provide strategic legal counsel and transaction support for complex business development and corporate transactions.

The role partners with business leaders through structuring, due diligence, negotiation and closing, covering M&A, divestitures, JVs, licensing, and collaborations. The position requires at least four years of transactional experience, a JD from a US law school, and NJ bar admission or eligibility, with strong