Legal Counsel

About AXA

As a world-leading insurance company, we act for human progress by protecting what matters. With 153,000 employees in 54 countries working for 105 million customers, we've created a truly dynamic and vibrant community. Inclusion and diversity link closely with our values, and together we're nurturing a culture of respect, for each other, for our customers and the communities around us. Join AXA and you'll feel like you belong, are included and can thrive. You'll be able to shape the way you work and truly grow your potential as you seek out new opportunities, push boundaries and benefit people in critical moments of their lives. This is your chance to build the tomorrow you want. Know you can.

About the entity

AXA is becoming a sustainable tech-led company and at AXA Group Operations we are one of the major catalysts for this transformation. 

We set the tone by triggering and empowering the evolution of our insurance business model through technology and innovation, driving its concrete implementation globally at speed, with a high quality of advisory and execution.

We are present across 17 countries with committed, highly qualified teams. We leverage technology, data, sourcing, security and investment allocation in a global way, but also achieve economies of scale and synergies when necessary.

At AXA Group Operations, we want to be recognized in three fields of action:

• State-of-the-art Data Technology to drive customer experience
• State-of-the-art Procurement & Sourcing to drive efficiency and better manage risks
• High-Performing Global Team for stronger partnerships with AXA entities

Job position pitch

The division

You will join the General Secretary & Risk division, which regroups the transversal and control functions (Legal, Compliance, Data Privacy, Risk Management, Internal Control and Audit Remediation). Those activities intend to support and secure AXA Group Operations (hereafter "AXA GO") strategic orientations by defining, implementing and monitoring, compliance of the activities operated by AXA GO with AXA Group standards and regulatory requirements across geographies.

Our missions:

• Support GO and Group Corporate functions hosted within AXA GO (e.g. contract negotiations with Group Procurement, M&A activities with Group/GO Finance, etc)
• Position AXA GO as a safe and reliable partner for AXA entities by providing expertise for Group IT products and services delivered to AXA entities worldwide (Risk & Data Privacy by design principles)​
• Deploy a consistent risk management framework across AXA GO ensuring adequate risk identification, risk assessment and risk response strategy (Internal Control, Audit Remediation, Insurance coverages) in alignment with the AXA GO risk appetite
• Drive the balance between risk and value delivery to foster better decision making by Senior Management
• Guarantee and develop a strong Risk Culture at all levels of the organization

The division is composed of several departments with respective accountabilities:

• Legal
• Compliance & Data Privacy
• Risk & Control
• Audit Remediation & Transversal Services for the General Secretary & Risk division

About the job 

Main missions

The M&A Legal Counsel will work on a variety of legal topics, will negotiate contracts and provide legal advice, notably:

- Provide legal support in the negotiation and implementation of M&A related agreements essentially Transitional Services Agreements but also, as the case may be, Share Purchase Agreements, Sale of Business Agreements, partnership agreements.

- Design, negotiate and monitor the conclusion or amendment of intercompany agreements between AXA Group Operations entities and their customers (i.e. AXA Group companies worldwide) related to M&A transactions and in collaboration with GO Corporate Finance (e.g. financial mandate agreements)

- Act as a legal Business Partner in all activities relating to M&A transactions at GO level, in relation with GO Corporate Finance, Group Procurement, Group Legal and Group M&A teams.

- Advise on legal processes and execution of contracts, in coordination with internal partners, notably contracts with third party providers and assess rights to use in the context of M&A transactions, including divestitures.

- Perform legal research and drafting of notes and summaries regarding diverse legal and regulatory questions, coordinate diverse reportings and processes deployment.

- Answer to ad hoc legal requests 

Expected skills & experience

We are looking for someone with the following experience and skills:

Experience

- Contractual and corporate legal experience in law firm(s) and/or in-house, notably in negotiation with third party vendors in an IT environment (e.g. SaaS solutions, software, license agreements)
- 8+ years' solid legal experience 

Technical skills

- Qualification to act as a lawyer in France (or another jurisdiction depending on the experience)
- High standards knowledge in corporate law, commercial law, IT law and Intellectual Property 

- Ability to draft legal documentation in English and attend negotiation meetings in English

Soft skills / transversal skills

- Autonomous 

- Ability to work in an international and culturally diverse environment;
- Self-motivated and creative with good interpersonal skills;
- Outstanding drafting skills;
- Fluency in English. French is a plus 

What we offer

We bring together the expertise, cultural diversity and creativity of over 8,000 employees worldwide and we're committed to equal opportunities in all aspects of employment (gender, LGBT+, disabled persons, or people of different origins) and to promoting Diversity & Inclusion by creating a work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect, and where individual differences are valued.