GDS corporate and generalist lawyer

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Global GDS Corporate Lawyer

The GDS firms are various service delivery centers from which EY Client Service and Enablement Services teams operate to deliver strategic support to EY member firms. GDS spans all geographies, practices, services lines, sectors and competencies within EY to deliver deeply integrated services that result in efficient and world-class solutions.

The opportunity

Our EY GDS Legal Team is seeking an experienced lawyer with specialization in corporate transactions while also being a generalist with ability to advise on matters of employment law, commercial contracts, data privacy, disputes and an array of general queries surrounding the operation of GDS entities across GDS locations.

The GDS GCO (Legal Team) is part of the EY Global GCO team and is responsible for all legal support to the EY GDS business.

Job Title: Global GDS Counsel

As the GDS Global Counsel you will be involved in working on a broad range of corporate matters advising across a wide range of matters including mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and establishment of new businesses. The work can be complex and diverse and requires logical, practical thinking and solid experience in contract drafting, negotiation and workload management.

Whilst the role is based in Bangalore (or) Wroclaw (or) Warsaw, the role will involve working with GDS centres in Poland, India, China, Argentina, Philippines, UK, Spain, Mexico, Sri Lanka and other upcoming GDS locations as well as with other EY locations across the world. You will be working closely with the other members of the GDS Legal Team, Global GCO Team as well as business stakeholders in all GDS locations.

Your key responsibilities

Working closely with business teams and GDS finance, tax, talent, risk management, GCO and other teams to provide legal advice on a variety of transactions including:

• Mergers and acquisitions
• Disposals
• Corporate Reorganisations
• Establishment of new businesses
• Financings
• Advising on corporate governance issues including new legal developments
• Strategic advice.

Providing legal advisory to business and stakeholders in the role of a generalist for matters relating to a range of portfolios.

Drafting, reviewing and negotiating various contracts and other documentation for internal use within EY Network Members as well as with third parties.

Instructing and working with external counsel. Contributing to internal guidance, best practice and templates.

Actively collaborating and positively teaming with members of the Global GCO team, a highly collaborative team of lawyers who support and advise across EY, as well as with other GCO teams and internal functions.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strong credentials with exposure to multiple jurisdictions and legal support portfolios with specialization in corporate transactions.
• Team player with excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Proactive attitude and positive mindset, high degree of emotional intelligence, and demonstrated aptitude for resilience, flexibility, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances and dynamics.
• Interest and ability to positively team and collaborate effectively across geographic locations.
• Ability to grasp, understand, and effectively articulate and document complex legal and contractual principles.

Knowledge, competency and skill requirements

• Demonstrate unquestionably high standard of ethics, integrity and values.
• Directly manage stakeholders of varied portfolios.
• Be able to manage expectations in a high-pressure, changing environment while maintaining a calm, professional working style.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, including creativity and innovative thinking.
• Possess excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English, strong interpersonal and presentation skills interacting with senior stakeholders.
• Be able to summarize complex, technical concepts into communications that can be understood by the team and other stakeholders.
• Feel comfortable and confident in a challenging global environment (face-to-face and virtual), be sensitive to cross-cultural differences and current international events.
• Demonstrate flexible teaming skills (both face to face and in a virtual setting), e.g., be able to translate guidelines from leadership into well-structured, practical and clear instructions for others.
• Bring innovation to improve processes and work products and have ability to learn/adapt quickly when required.
• Excellent negotiations skills and experience in cross border transactions.
• Ability to assess size, scope and overall risk of contemplated transactions and to tailor contracts accordingly.
• Solution oriented with relentless focus on world class execution of projects and tasks;
• High levels of personal energy and appetite for work and success. Inclination to propose initiatives and be proactive in seeking change.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• At least 10 years post-qualification, corporate law and corporate governance experience, gained in private practice (ideally from a large international law firm or an MNC with exposure to cross border transactions).
• Visible experience of providing legal advice in the capacity of a generalist demonstrating comfort in handling queries across portfolios of contracts, employment law, data privacy, disputes, litigations etc.
• Ability to provide practical legal advice and support with a high degree of professionalism in a fast-paced environment and to establish a high degree of credibility, respect and trust at all levels.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• High degree of cultural awareness.
• Experience with working with a wide variety of stakeholders.

What we look for

• Unquestioned ethics and integrity.
• High level of intellectual agility, initiative, self-motivation, resourcefulness and patience.
• Pragmatic with strong business acumen.
• Mature individual with good judgement.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and leadership potential.

What we offer

EY Global Delivery Services (GDS) is a dynamic and truly global delivery network. We work across seven locations – Argentina, China, India, the Philippines, Poland, Hungary and the UK – and with teams from all EY service lines, geographies and sectors, playing a vital role in the delivery of the EY growth strategy. From accountants to coders to advisory consultants, we offer a wide variety of fulfilling career opportunities that span all business disciplines. In GDS, you will collaborate with EY teams on exciting projects and work with well-known brands from across the globe. We’ll introduce you to an ever-expanding ecosystem of people, learning, skills and insights that will stay with you throughout your career.

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

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