Senior Legal Counsel, Corporate Development

Job Description

You will provide legal support in complex M&A and other strategic transactions from end to end, bringing practical judgment, deep subject matter expertise, and a collaborative mindset. This position is ideal for a dynamic deal lawyer who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys partnering closely with business teams, and is motivated by shaping high value corporate initiatives.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to influence impactful corporate transactions that shape the company’s long term strategy.
• High visibility role working directly with executive leadership.
• Collaborative, inclusive culture that empowers legal professionals to innovate and lead.
• Opportunity for meaningful professional growth in rapidly changing technology sector
• Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and comprehensive benefits.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE AND WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Transactional Leadership and Strategic Advisory

Lead and manage all legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, venture investments, strategic partnerships, and other transactional matters from initial evaluation through closing and post-closing, including:

• providing pragmatic guidance on deal structuring, valuation considerations, governance issues, risk mitigation, and strategic alignment
• conducting and coordinating cross-functional due diligence, and preparing findings and risk assessments with actionable mitigation strategies;
• leading and managing the drafting, reviewing, and negotiating of transaction documentation
• partnering closely with internal experts to advise on corporate governance matters, including approvals, resolutions, and disclosure considerations, as well as regulatory and legal developments affecting the corporate development landscape (e.g., antitrust, foreign investment, data/privacy, and securities regulations).
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with relevant internal stakeholders, including finance, tax, HR, IP, compliance, IT, business and integration teams, to ensure cohesive planning and execution of strategic transactions.
• Manage and coordinate external counsel effectively to ensure high quality, cost efficient outcomes.
• Support post-closing integration planning, including employment, equity, IP, and regulatory matters.
  
  

Required Qualifications

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 6 years of post-qualification experience in complex corporate and transactional work, with a strong focus on M&A.
• Demonstrated ability to structure, negotiate, and close sophisticated transactions, including those with international, multi‑jurisdictional elements.
• Strong drafting skills and fluency across a range of transactional structures.
• Strong competency in key intellectual property considerations involved in technology sector transactions
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent matters in a fast-paced environment.
  
  

Priority candidates will additionally have experience supporting venture capital, minority investments, or emerging company transactions; familiarity with technology sector transactions, especially innovation driven or IP intensive businesses; and experience with data privacy, IP, and employment/equity issues encountered in M&A.

Future-fit Competencies

We are seeking candidates who consistently demonstrate the following:

• Strategic Business Partnership
• Ability to embed with business leaders as a trusted, solutions oriented advisor.
• Demonstrates commercial instinct and understands how legal choices impact strategic outcomes.
• Commercial & Analytical Judgment
• Balances business objectives, legal risk, and operational realities with sound judgment.
• Brings a pragmatic, “clear yes / clear no / clear path forward” style to decision making.
• Communication Excellence
• Communicates with clarity and impact, especially when translating complex legal issues for non-lawyers.
• Skilled negotiator with strong presence and credibility.
• Collaboration & Influence
• Operates effectively in matrixed, global teams; works fluidly across functions and time zones.
• Builds trust quickly and aligns stakeholders around shared objectives.
• Adaptability & Resilience
• Thrives amid ambiguity, shifting priorities, and time sensitive environments.
• Maintains poise under pressure and delivers consistently high quality output.
• Ownership & Leadership
• Proactive self starter who anticipates needs, escalates wisely, and drives matters to completion.
• Models integrity, accountability, and discretion in handling sensitive information.
  
  

About Us

Advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Learn more about life at Nokia .

Our recruitment process

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

If you’re interested in this role but don’t meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.

The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role's requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia .

About The Team

Some of our benefits in US :

• Corporate Retirement Savings Plan
• Health and dental benefits
• Short-term disability, and long-term disability
• Life insurance, and AD&D – Company paid 2x base pay
• Optional or Supplemental life and AD&D insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
• Paid time off for holidays and Vacation
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Plan
• Adoption assistance
• Employee Assistance Program/Work Life Resource Program
  
  

The above benefits exclude students.

Disclaimer for US/Canada

Nokia Maintains broad annual base salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience and market conditions, and with consideration to internal peer equity. Check the salary ranges in the job info section for this role.

All North America job posts will post for a minimum of 7 calendar days and up to 180 days or until candidate/s identified.