Senior Paralegal, Mergers & Acquisitions

Here at Kraft Heinz, we grow our people to grow our business, because we believe that great people make great companies. When you join our table, you can expect access to an array of holistic wellness benefits* and perks, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 7% 401(k) matching, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to help foster diversity, inclusion, and belonging for all employees, an industry-leading total rewards package that emphasizes a high discretionary bonus.  *Benefits begin 30 days after hire for hourly employees, and immediately upon hire for salaried employees.    Get a peek into life here at Kraft Heinz through our Instagram and TikTok channels!

The Senior M&A Paralegal is responsible for providing advanced paralegal support to attorneys and business stakeholders on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic investments, corporate restructurings, and other complex strategic transactions. This role will help manage transaction workflows from initial diligence through signing, closing, and post-closing integration/separation, coordinate with internal teams and external counsel, maintain transaction records, assist with external counsel budget tracking, and independently anticipate and execute legal tasks under attorney oversight.

This is a hybrid role requiring 3 days onsite weekly at our office in Chicago.

What’s on the menu?

M&A and Strategic Transactions

• Support attorneys on all phases of M&A and strategic transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, minority investments, carve-outs, internal restructurings, and post-closing integration matters

• Assist with management of virtual data rooms, including preparing diligence request lists, organizing and uploading responsive materials, tracking open diligence items, coordinating Q&A processes, and maintaining document control

• Coordinate cross-functional diligence with Legal, Finance, Tax, Accounting, Treasury, HR, IT, Procurement, Operations, Regulatory, and other business teams

• Assist with preparation, review, execution, and organization of transaction documents, including confidentiality agreements, term sheets, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, ancillary agreements, officer certificates, resolutions, powers of attorney, and closing deliverables

• Assist with maintenance of transaction checklists, signing and closing agendas, diligence trackers, issues lists, post-closing obligation trackers, and other project management tools

• Coordinate signing and closing mechanics, including collecting signatures, managing closing sets, tracking conditions to closing, organizing funds-flow and wire-related deliverables, and coordinating with external counsel and counterparties

Transaction Process Management

• Develop and maintain repeatable M&A processes, templates, playbooks, diligence materials, execution checklists, and transaction filing protocols

• Support legal intake, external counsel RFPs, matter opening, budgeting, invoice review, and external counsel coordination for strategic transaction matters

• Track key transaction milestones, approvals, regulatory filings, contractual deadlines, consent requirements, and post-closing obligations

• Maintain organized electronic transaction files and records in accordance with legal department standards, privilege considerations, and document retention requirements

• Research and summarize corporate, transactional, regulatory, and filing requirements as needed to support deal execution

Corporate Support for Transactions

• Assist with preparation of corporate resolutions, written consents, secretary and incumbency certificates, good standing certificates, certified organizational documents, and other governance deliverables needed for signing and closing

• Coordinate with Corporate Legal team to support Know Your Customer, beneficial ownership, sanctions, anti-bribery, and other onboarding or counterparty diligence processes related to transactions

Recipe for Success – apply now if this sounds like you!

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher with excellent academic credentials

• Paralegal certificate program a plus

• 5+ years of paralegal experience in a law firm and/or corporate legal department, significant experience supporting M&A, divestitures, strategic investments, corporate restructurings, joint ventures, or other complex transactions strongly preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to analyze legal advice and then apply it to the business needs

• Strong transaction management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple transaction workstreams, deadlines, stakeholders, and deliverables simultaneously

• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential business information, legal advice, and privileged transaction materials

• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills with ability to speak to audiences of every level

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, virtual data rooms, document management systems, e-signature platforms, and legal matter management or billing systems

• Interest in developing broad knowledge of Kraft Heinz’s business, portfolio strategy, transaction processes, and cross-functional operating model

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.