Danone Ventures Legal Counsel

Job description

Danone is a global leader in healthy food through its three businesses: Essential Dairy and Plant Based Products, Waters, and Specialized Nutrition. Its mission, bringing health through food to as many people as possible, embodies its commitment to human progress and business success.

To further this mission, Danone Ventures (DV), Danone’s corporate venture arm, was formed. Through DV, we identify early-stage food and foodtech start-ups that share our vision of a future of healthy and sustainable food. Leveraging equity investments as a tool, we help facilitate value creating partnerships between Danone and start-ups. We have strong beliefs and convictions and look to partner with like-minded, innovative start-ups as a key criterion of our investment philosophy.

 

We are looking for a bright, self-motivated, and thoughtful DV Legal Counsel with at least 3 years of professional experience. The DV Legal Counsel will provide legal, regulatory and compliance support to DV’s activities through the review, design, implementation and management of investment and partnership projects with existing and prospective start-up portfolio companies. Working closely with DV’s General Counsel, and fully immerged within a business team, this role is a unique opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the very dynamic legal and business environment of corporate venture capital at global level while pursuing the clear strategic objective of bringing innovative and game-changing tech and science-based solutions to Danone. This is a HYBRID position located in New York, NY.

 

About the Job:

·  Support the DV team’s review, design and execution of investment projects from a legal and regulatory standpoints
·  Lead and conduct legal and regulatory due diligence projects, and share insights and recommendations with the DV team
·  Participate in the legal and regulatory aspects of partnership projects between Danone and the startups in which DV is an investor
·  Support DV in legal aspects of the management of its existing investments and the reporting associated with investment and partnership activities
·  Negotiate a wide variety of investment-related and commercial agreements on behalf of DV
·  Review, analyze and summarize existing financing and shareholders’ agreements
·  Manage legal initiatives supporting the general operations of DV, including by contributing to the design and implementation of internal policies and processes, and the drafting of templates
·  Coordinate cross-functional projects with Danone internal stakeholders
·  Utilize MS Excel and PowerPoint for modelling and sharing work products with the team.

 

The base compensation range for this position is $135,000-$160,000 commensurate with experience. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.

Education and Experience:

·  J.D. and/or LL.M. from a top-tier law school
·  Admitted to practice and in good standing in the State of New York; having both civil and common law backgrounds is a plus
·  At least 3 years of transactional experience in the corporate/M&A/VC department of a top-tier law firm, the M&A/Corporate legal team of a multinational company, or the legal team of an investment fund or a family office
·  Some exposure to transactions involving Intellectual Property (especially patents) is a plus

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

·  Can-do approach to problem solving and interest in the practical implications of any legal decision
·  Ability to work autonomously, take initiatives and manage projects through completion; ability to achieve results and prioritize projects in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment
·  Business acumen (bachelor’s degree and/or prior experience in business or finance is a plus) and solid understanding of the business mechanics underlying investment and commercial agreements
·  Excellent written and oral communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with lawyers and non-lawyers
·  Comfortable working in an international, cross-functional, team environment with business leaders across all levels
·  Curious, critical thinker and pragmatic; detail-oriented with an ability to see the big picture; able to tackle and summarize complex/new issues

At Danone North America, you’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world like Activia, Two Good, Oikos, Evian, and Happy Family. You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working together to make sure our brands create real benefits for people, communities, and the planet. We have 6,000+ employees across the U.S. and Canada. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.  

 

Danone North America doesn’t just welcome what makes you unique, we value it. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We recruit, employ, train and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other protected status. Faithful to our values of openness and humanism, all of our employees share in the commitment to engage one another with dignity and respect. http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf  

https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf