Corporate Counsel and Strategic Acquisitions

Raleigh, United States | Posted on 07/10/2026

Pay Bright is entering an exciting new phase of growth.

Over the next decade, we intend to complement our organic growth by acquiring strategically aligned businesses that strengthen the Pay Bright ecosystem and create long-term value for our merchants, partners, and stakeholders. To help lead this initiative, we're seeking an entrepreneurial attorney who wants to do far more than practice law.

This is not a traditional in-house counsel position.

While you will serve as Pay Bright's primary in-house legal resource, you will also work directly with our CEO to help build the legal and business infrastructure behind a long-term acquisition strategy. From identifying acquisition opportunities to negotiating transactions and supporting newly acquired companies, you'll play a meaningful role in shaping the next chapter of our organization.

This role blends legal leadership, corporate development, acquisitions, investment analysis, and long-term strategic planning. We're looking for someone who wants to help build an acquisition platform, not simply support one after it's already established.

You'll have the opportunity to proactively identify acquisition opportunities through networking, relationship building, conferences, referrals, industry research, and direct outreach. You'll evaluate businesses, analyze financial performance, participate in negotiations, coordinate transactions, and help guide successful integrations after closing.

This is a highly autonomous position for someone who enjoys creating opportunities, solving complex business problems, and building long-term value.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable reviewing contracts, discussing valuation models, meeting with business owners, and helping leadership think through strategic decisions. You'll frequently move between legal analysis and business strategy, helping the company make sound decisions while maintaining a practical, growth-oriented mindset.

Most in-house legal positions focus on supporting an established business. This role offers the opportunity to help build one.

You'll work directly with executive leadership to shape acquisition strategy, evaluate investment opportunities, negotiate transactions, and help establish the systems and processes that will support a growing portfolio of businesses for years to come. You'll have meaningful influence over both legal and business decisions while helping create an acquisition platform that doesn't yet exist.

As Pay Bright grows, we expect this position to evolve into a senior leadership role with increasing responsibility across legal strategy, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and portfolio oversight. For someone who enjoys business as much as law, this is an opportunity to build something enduring rather than simply advise from the sidelines.

• Legal Leadership
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Advising leadership on corporate, employment, and governance matters.
• Preparing and maintaining legal templates and corporate documentation.
• Managing outside counsel for specialized legal matters.
• Identifying legal and business risks while providing practical, business-focused solutions.
• Strategic Acquisitions
• Sourcing acquisition opportunities through networking, conferences, referrals, industry research, and direct outreach.
• Building long-term relationships with business owners, brokers, attorneys, accountants, bankers, and other referral partners.
• Evaluating businesses for strategic and financial fit.
• Conducting preliminary investment analysis and preparing recommendations for executive leadership.
• Participating in meetings with prospective sellers and helping build lasting relationships.
• Transactions and Portfolio Growth
• Assisting with valuation and transaction structuring.
• Negotiating business and legal terms.
• Working alongside outside advisors through closing.
• Supporting integration efforts after acquisitions.
• Monitoring portfolio performance and helping identify opportunities for operational improvement and long-term growth.

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• 3-8 years of experience in corporate law, M&A, commercial transactions, private equity, corporate development, investment banking, or another highly transactional environment
• Experience drafting…