Director of Legal – EU M&A

Director of Legal – EU M&A

Type of Employment: Permanent

Location: Dublin / Europe

Visa requirements: A valid work permit from the EU/EEA (relocation assistance is not provided)

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Head of Legal, Corporate Affairs and Global M&A, the Director, Legal Affairs – EU M&A will play a critical strategic role in supporting business development and growth across Europe, leading the legal function for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, related strategic investments and EU capital markets activities. This leadership position is instrumental in shaping how the legal team contributes to business enablement, growth, and operational excellence across Europe.

The Director will work closely with the Head of Legal, Corporate Affairs and Global M&A, executive leadership, and the business development teams to ensure all transactions are aligned with operational goals and compliant with applicable legal requirements. The Director will provide expert legal advice on complex corporate and transactional matters, and drive the development of standardized playbooks, tools, and processes to enhance M&A execution, integration efficiency, and risk management across the European footprint. In addition to advisory and transactional work, the Director – EU M&A will lead, mentor, and develop a team of legal professionals, fostering collaborative excellence, accountability, and innovation.

WHAT YOU'LL DO – Key Responsibilities

• Lead all legal aspects of EU and cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures, and strategic investments – from initial evaluation through integration – ensuring high-quality, business-aligned outcomes.

• Structure, draft, and negotiate complex transaction documentation including share purchase, investment, and shareholder agreements, as well as ancillary contracts, in collaboration with external counsel as appropriate.

• Oversee the coordination of due diligence and specialist advisory work, including sector-specific, regulatory and antitrust matters; ensure timely progress, transparency, and issue escalation as needed, efficiently advising business leaders on key transactional risks and mitigation strategies.

• Design, implement, and refine M&A legal playbooks, templates, and processes to promote aligned execution across European business units and jurisdictions.

• Lead the creation of operational guidance materials and process maps that simplify deal execution steps for internal partners, helping finance and operations teams navigate complex transaction cycles.

• Develop and deliver training sessions focused on EU M&A fundamentals – due diligence principles, key contractual protections, EU antitrust, competition and regulatory compliance, and integration readiness – to strengthen cross-functional deal capacity across the region.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of EU and international developments in M&A, competition law, corporate governance, and ESG regulatory frameworks.

• Foster close collaboration with Legal, Finance, Tax, and Operations on corporate reorganizations, transaction structuring, and post-closing integration workstreams.

• Oversee legal support on capital raising initiatives, including structuring considerations, disclosure obligations, and market regulatory interactions.

• Advise executive and regional leaders on strategic decision-making to achieve timely, legally sound, and commercially efficient outcomes.

• Manage relationships with external counsel in multiple jurisdictions to ensure consistent, high-quality, and cost-efficient service delivery.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Oversee mandates given to outside counsel, ensuring compliance with billing, performance, and cost targets.

• Ensure the company is represented with integrity and consistency, implementing strategies to mitigate commercial and litigation risk and reputational harm.

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies, contributing to a culture of accountability and ethical conduct.

• Develop and deliver training on legal procedures and policies to promote awareness and reduce legal risk.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legal areas and contribute to continuous improvement of legal practices.

• Perform all related professional functions in support of the Legal Department’s transformation and strategic goals.

Leadership & Talent Development:

• Lead, mentor, and support the EU M&A Legal team, providing strategic direction and promoting a culture of continuous learning and high performance.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for European M&A business development and capital markets initiatives, ensuring the team has the resources and direction needed to address complex legal, regulatory and business matters.

• Manage relationships with external counsel and internal stakeholders to ensure high-quality, cost-effective service delivery.

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and legal excellence within the team.

• Champion the integration of technology and legal operations tools to optimize legal support delivery.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Education:

• Law degree (LL.M. or equivalent) and admission to practice in at least one EU jurisdiction.

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience focused on M&A, corporate transactional including both law firm and in‑house roles.

• Proven track record handling multi‑jurisdictional transactions and joint ventures within Europe.

• Extensive experience with EU competition law, foreign investment screening, anti‑trust frameworks, and corporate governance under EU directives.

• Experience in regional financing and capital markets activities considered an asset.

Knowledge and skills:

• Strategic governance thinker with practical, results‑driven problem‑solving skills rooted in the European business and legal environment.

• Commercially minded and agile, with an appreciation for entrepreneurial environments and the ability to adapt legal frameworks to business realities.

• Excellent analytical and strategic reasoning skills, particularly in balancing EU and national regulatory compliance with commercial objectives.

• Exceptional negotiation and drafting ability, with demonstrated experience managing diverse stakeholder interests and complex cross‑border mandates.

• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with proven capacity to engage senior management and foster credible, trust‑based relationships across functions and geographies.

• Proven ability to translate complex legal, financial, and regulatory matters into clear, actionable guidance for business, finance, and operational partners.

• Strong leadership capability focused on mentorship, collaboration, and driving accountability across multicultural and cross‑functional teams.

• Recognized for cultivating a culture of integrity, transparency, and continuous improvement within legal and business operations.

• Skilled in influencing and aligning multiple stakeholders to drive efficient decision‑making and ensure consistent execution across various legal jurisdictions.

• Proven capacity to manage a high volume of complex projects simultaneously under tight deadlines with precision.

WHY WORK WITH US

• Alimentation Couche-Tard is a proud receiver Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) for 4 years in a row.

• Complete benefits packages (health insurance, pension contribution etc.).

• Possibility to enrol in stock purchase plan.

• Employee discount on fuel.

• Learning opportunities to develop new skills and to evolve professionally in a fast-growing company. 

At Circle K, our culture is shaped by our team members and how we treat each other. Our guiding principles are the core values we live by and inform all our actions and business decisions. You can find them at Values and Culture | Circle K. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

INTERESTED?

We encourage you to apply by  31st January 2026.

If you are a visionary legal leader ready to make a lasting impact in a dynamic, global organization, we want to hear from you. We are looking forward to your application!

We know great companies are built from within, by great people like you. Come grow with us!