As Senior Legal Counsel at AniCura in France, you will play a crucial role in shaping our legal strategy and ensuring legal support to our business as we deliver exceptional veterinary care in France and across the rest of Europe. Your expertise will guide us through complex legal landscapes and support our commitment to high-quality petcare.

About AniCura

AniCura is a family of well-known animal hospitals and clinics specialized in veterinary care for companion animals. AniCura provides modern, high-quality veterinary care for pets at over 500 practices in 17 European countries and creates peace of mind for pet owners through excellent access and patient safety. Every year, AniCura’s 12.000 passionate veterinary professionals attend to three million companion animal patients. Since 2018, AniCura has been a part of Mars Veterinary Health, a family-owned company focused on veterinary care.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to deliver comprehensive legal support for AniCura's operations in France, which are primarily managed from our office in Lyon. This role is crucial for managing legal risks and opportunities, overseeing corporate governance, and supporting M&A initiatives. Reporting to the Head of Legal Affairs of AniCura Group, you will operate with a high degree of autonomy, delivering legal support with a commercial and solution-oriented approach, while guiding the business through complex legal and regulatory landscapes. While this role is primarily focused on supporting AniCura’s French operations, you will collaborate with various stakeholders on different levels within AniCura across Europe and the worldwide Mars organization, including your colleagues in both the AniCura Legal Function and wider Mars Legal Department.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Governance Representation: Represent AniCura’s interests in the day-to-day management of its ownership stake in French clinic entities, including governance and corporate law activities, such as preparation of and participation at board and shareholders' meetings and managing redistributions of shareholdings.
• M&A Support: Provide legal support and assistance for M&A projects, in collaboration with external counsel, including preparation of internal briefs, due diligence, transaction documentation, and post-closing integration of acquired clinic entities.
• Day-to-day Legal Support: Provide comprehensive day-to-day legal support to corporate functions and clinics. This includes, for example drafting and reviewing veterinary practice agreements, lease agreements, and delivering legal and compliance training to ensure adherence to relevant regulations.
• Veterinary Chamber Relations: Represent AniCura in communications with regional and national Veterinary Chambers (Ordre des Vétérinaires)
• External Counsel Management: Oversee and manage the use of external counsel for quality and cost efficiency.
• Risk Management: Develop and implement strategies to manage legal risks effectively.
• Team Collaboration: Contribute to AniCura’s group-wide projects and provide legal support to AniCura's other markets and functional teams, as appropriate.

About you:

• Education: LL.M or equivalent French law degree.
• Experience: 7+ years in private practice or senior in-house legal roles, preferably in healthcare or veterinary sectors.
• Skills: Strong expertise in French corporate law and M&A. Familiarity with real estate and employment law is a plus, as is experience from regulatory topics, particularly pertaining to the veterinary sector or broader healthcare sector.
• Competencies: Excellent analytical and organizational skills, ability to manage complex legal and regulatory matters, and to explain them in an easy to comprehend manner. Strong communication and negotiation abilities.
• Personal Attributes: Responsible, proactive, strong decision-making skills, and able to work effectively in ambiguous environments with diverse stakeholders
• Languages: Proficient in English and French is mandatory, any other European language is a plus.
• Employment Visa: Preference for Candidates with a Valid Work Permit

Our offer:

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to shape the future of veterinary care, together.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package.
• A stimulating work environment with good opportunities for personal development.
• Freedom to take responsibility and the opportunity to influence.
• Flexible working hours, hybrid working, international, digital work environment.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• The opportunity to cuddle our beloved 4-legged friends in our offices.
• We are always open for a conversation to discuss your individual needs.

If this sounds like you

Please contact Lekya Kanamarlapudi, Group Corporate Recruiter, who is happy to tell you more about this opportunity and the recruitment process. Or apply by submitting your resume through clicking the apply button below.

AniCura is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds.