Senior Director, Legal – Mergers & Acquisitions

MKS Instruments

. Serve as Legal lead for M&A, corporate-level strategic initiatives, and special projects .

Posted 11/11/2026full-timeAndover • Massachusetts • United StatesSenior💰 $200,000 - $334,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive legal expertise in M&A transactions, including drafting and negotiating complex agreements, managing legal due diligence, and navigating regulatory requirements. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and provide clear legal advice while maintaining high ethical standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

JD From An Accredited Law SchoolActive Bar License12+ Years Of Relevant Legal ExperienceLeading Complex Domestic And Cross-Border M&A TransactionsStrong Project/Program-Management Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Drafting And Negotiating NDAsDrafting And Negotiating LOIsDrafting And Negotiating Purchase And Sale AgreementsLegal Due Diligence ManagementRisk Assessment And Deal ProtectionsM&A Deal StructureRegulatory Workstreams ManagementIntegration ProcessesData GovernanceLegal/Business Risk Assessment

Soft Skills

Excellent Oral Communication SkillsExcellent Written Communication SkillsInterpersonal Communication SkillsAttention To DetailAbility To Multitask

Certifications & Qualifications

Active Bar License

Industry Keywords

M&A TransactionsCorporate-Level Strategic InitiativesCross-Functional TeamsGlobal Antitrust FilingsCFIUS ReviewsExport ControlsAcquisitionsDivestituresPublic And Private CompaniesFast-Paced Environment

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as Legal lead for M&A, corporate-level strategic initiatives, and special projects
Partner with Corporate Development from preliminary structuring through signing, closing, integration, and post-closing matters
Draft and negotiate NDAs, LOIs, purchase and sale agreements, transition services agreements, and ancillary deal documents
Manage legal due diligence and convert findings into risk assessments and deal protections
Work with Tax/Treasury and outside counsel on deal structure, R&W insurance, and financing
Manage regulatory workstreams, including HSR and global antitrust filings, CFIUS and foreign investment reviews, export controls, and other regulatory matters
Present deal legal risk assessments and recommendations to executive leadership
Lead Legal integration workstreams, including Day 1 readiness, risk remediation, and post-closing obligations
Manage outside counsel and related budgets
Establish approval, escalation, and decision-making protocols for M&A transactions
Build and improve M&A deal playbooks, templates, diligence checklists, and integration processes
Lead or support companywide strategic initiatives such as data governance, AI governance, transformation, change management, and legal/business risk assessment
Support Legal Department initiatives and partner with Legal functional teams on department goals

Requirements

What you’ll need

JD from an accredited law school
Active bar license; does not have to be Massachusetts-based
12+ years of relevant legal experience
Substantial experience leading complex domestic and cross-border M&A transactions
Experience with acquisitions, divestitures, and mergers involving public and private companies
Combination of law firm and in-house experience strongly preferred
Ability to independently lead complex transactions from inception through integration
Strong project/program-management skills
Ability to navigate global, cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to synthesize complex legal concepts into clear, concise, pragmatic legal advice
Exceptional ability to multitask, stay organized, and manage competing priorities
Attention to detail and accuracy
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment
Unwavering ethics and integrity
Collaborative and collegial team-player approach
Self-starter with executive presence, mature judgment, and ability to operate independently
Eligible to work in the United States
Willingness to undergo background checks and drug screens
May need to qualify as a U.S. person for positions involving ITAR/EAR-controlled goods and technologies

Benefits

Comp & perks

Discretionary annual bonus
Health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision)
401(k) with company match
Life and disability insurance
12 paid holidays
Sick time
15 paid vacation days
6 weeks fully paid parental leave
Adoption assistance
Tuition reimbursement
Stock programs
Signing bonus
Remote work option, with preference for hybrid work
Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities