Legal Director-M&A

UKG

3d

About The Position

The Principal Legal Counsel will serve as a senior individual contributor and will lead M&A and strategic investment transactions end-to-end. This role exists to drive deals forward efficiently, manage risk thoughtfully, and provide practical, business-focused legal counsel that enables growth. While this is not a people management role, you will partner closely with other attorneys on the team as you help drive UKG’s transaction pipeline.

Requirements

• J.D. and active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (or ability to meet in-house counsel registration requirements, as applicable).
• Transaction leadership experience serving as the lead legal advisor on M&A and/or strategic transactions, including drafting and negotiating definitive agreements and driving deals through signing and closing.
• In-house experience providing practical legal counsel directly to business teams, including making recommendations and decisions to move transactions forward.
• Experience managing outside counsel on complex corporate transactions, including directing workstreams and controlling scope and cost.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting minority investments / venture-style transactions, including governance rights, information rights, protective provisions, and related side arrangements for strategic investors.
• Experience partnering with a Corporate Development function on deal strategy, diligence planning, and negotiation approach.
• Experience with post-close integration support and translating deal terms into operational actions.
• Experience advising on corporate governance and entity management as part of a corporate legal practice.
• Experience with cross-border or multi-jurisdiction transaction issues.
• Experience with public company deals and SEC compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead M&A and strategic transactions end-to-end by advising on deal structure, planning diligence, negotiating definitive agreements, and coordinating signing/closing to complete transactions efficiently.
• Support minority investments and venture-style transactions by negotiating investment and side agreements, advising on governance rights and protections, and aligning legal terms to UKG’s strategic objectives.
• Partner closely with Corporate Development by advising on term sheets/LOIs, translating legal risk into business options, and helping the deal team make timely, informed decisions.
• Run diligence workstreams by setting a diligence strategy, identifying and prioritizing issues, and presenting clear recommendations so stakeholders can resolve key risks before signing.
• Manage outside counsel by setting strategy, directing scope and deliverables, and controlling cost so the team gets high-quality, actionable work product.
• Coordinate cross-functional execution by working with Finance, Tax, HR, and business leaders to align objectives, close requirements, and help guide post-close intgration.
• Pitch in on core corporate matters by preparing or advising on governance actions, entity management needs, and compliance-related requirements tied to transactions and corporate operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees