Legal Counsel - Corporate M&A

The Company

COLAS Australia, a leader in the Road Construction and Maintenance Industry, continues to expand its operations throughout Australia and New Zealand as a company which is now supported locally by over 700 employees, across 15 work sites in 5 states. Colas is a subsidiary of the Bouygues Group which includes over 200,000 staff worldwide.

We are seeking a Legal Counsel – Corporate M&A to join our ANZ legal team, based in Macquarie Park. Reporting to the Group General Counsel, you will provide strategic and commercially focused legal support across a broad range of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, and other growth initiatives. You will work closely with senior executives, operational leaders, finance teams, and external advisers to ensure transactions are executed effectively, risks are managed proactively, and outcomes align with the organisation's long-term objectives.

As Legal Counsel – Corporate M&A, you will support and lead legal aspects of complex transactions from initial opportunity assessment through to completion and post-acquisition integration. You will provide practical, business-focused advice that enables informed decision-making while ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Transaction Leadership and Execution

• Assist the General Counsel in leading legal workstreams on mergers, acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions.
• Support transactions from origination through due diligence, signing, completion, and integration.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders and external advisers to ensure transaction timelines are achieved.
• Help ensure transactions align with the Group's strategic, commercial, and governance objectives.

Due Diligence and Risk Management

• Plan, conduct, and coordinate legal due diligence activities.
• Identify, assess, and communicate legal, commercial, and regulatory risks and opportunities.
• Prepare concise reports outlining key findings, transaction issues, and mitigation strategies.
• Escalate material legal or regulatory concerns to the Group General Counsel and transaction sponsors.

Drafting, Negotiation and Structuring

• Draft, review, and negotiate a range of corporate transaction documents, including, Confidentiality Agreements, Term Sheets, Share and Asset Sale Agreements, Shareholders Agreements, Disclosure Letters and Completion Documentation.
• Advise on transaction structure in collaboration with finance, tax, and external advisers.
• Negotiate warranties, indemnities, and contractual protections to manage risk and maximise value.

Regulatory Approvals, Governance and Integration

• Manage regulatory approvals and filings, including FIRB and ACCC merger clearance processes.
• Engage and manage external counsel within agreed budgets and scopes of work.
• Maintain transaction documentation, records, and virtual data rooms.
• Support management of post-completion obligations, including warranties, indemnities, escrow arrangements, and completion accounts.
• Assist with legal aspects of post-merger integration activities.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB or JD) with a current Australian practising certificate. 
• 6+ years' post-qualification experience, ideally gained with exposure to construction, infrastructure, or major projects. 
• Demonstrated experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions, and complex commercial negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of Australian corporate law, governance requirements, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience managing due diligence processes and advising senior stakeholders on transaction risks.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• A commercial mindset with the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously.

At COLAS Australia our people are vital to our success. Our employees make us different and set us apart from our competitors. Our goal is to attract, retain and develop visionary, talented, and passionate individuals. Our people are central to everything we do.

The successful applicant will be rewarded with: 

• A competitive salary package 

• Annual renumeration reviews

• Flexible Work Arrangements

• Paid Parental Leave Program

• Life insurance & health care benefits

• Corporate fitness program + discounts on healthy meals, active wear, supplements + more!

• Employee recognition & assistance programs

Colas Australia Group does not accept any unsolicited resume referrals from Recruitment Agencies. Colas Australia Group will not pay any placement fees relating to unsolicited resume referrals.

To view more: www.colas.com.au/job-vacancies/

“Colas Australia are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander & people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply”

Successful applicants will be contacted via phone.