General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer - (Budapest)

Our client is a leading player in Hungary’s telecommunications sector, delivering voice, data, Internet and TV services to residential and business customers through its fixed line and broadband communications networks.  They are seeking a General Counsel with top tier international law firm pedigree and significant exposure to a range of private M&A issues.

 

The role will entail:

·       Serving as a member of the company’s Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, and as Secretary to the Board of Directors of the company;

·       Leading a team of internal lawyers in structuring, conducting legal due diligence and drafting principal documentation for acquisitions, and acting in primary advisory capacity to the business during transactions;

·       In larger transactions, overseeing the various work streams undertaken by outside counsel and serving as a liaison between outside counsel and the business;

·       Organising and supervising the integration of businesses acquired by the company, including asset transfer, labor, corporate and other issues;

·       Managing and overseeing an internal legal team of six Hungarian qualified legal professionals, including commercial, real estate, telecommunications, labor, disputes, and other issues that arise in the day-to-day operations of the business;

·       Assisting the company with respect to external relations, including its annual reports and other reporting requirements in connection with its listed securities, press releases, etc.;

·       Supervising outside counsel in relation to various other matters, including the company’s external financing facilities.

Depending on your background, you may also be involved in supporting the management of the company’s regulatory affairs (the company has a separate dedicated regulatory team).

This is a replacement role for the current GC who will be departing at the end of 2011. 

We are seeking candidates who have a broad legal background and, in particular, substantial experience in running private M&A transactions.

Whether UK or US qualified or experienced in the law of another common law jurisdiction, you will have several years of work experience in a major financial market, with a major international law firm or a combination of a major international law firm and senior in-house work experience.

You must be able to demonstrate possession of the communications skills to facilitate interaction at the highest level.  You will be capable of presenting succinctly key issues to senior business people, and then supervising the implementation of policies and decisions with little guidance. You will also possess the drive to project manage transactions and other matters to a successful conclusion.

Absolute fluency in English, both verbal (at a negotiation level) and written.

An energetic lawyer, having strength in M&A and possessing a broad range of legal experience, capable of working independently on intricate issues, will be suited for this position. Often attending key strategy or negotiation meetings, you will be a key adviser on legal matters and will be included in the deal-making process, having your say directly in what are often highly technical and commercially demanding transactions. You will be a sophisticated presenter, confident negotiator, and renowned for your ability to be innovative in deal structuring and your ability to overcome bottlenecks in transactions.  Overall, your personality should be suited for a more front line challenging role.

In return, you will be rewarded with a top financial package, a pleasant and professional working environment and the opportunity to work with an outstanding leadership team.

Those candidates meeting the skills and experience required of the position are asked to submit a detailed cover letter and CV in English.

All applications and materials will be held in complete confidence. Hudson Legal will not forward any CV or related candidate material to our client without the express permission of the candidate.

Applications and inquiries should be directed to:

Ellen Hayes

Managing Director – Hudson Legal

Emerging Europe & Latin America

Email:

Desk line (direct – Hayes) TEL 36 1 430 5412

 

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