JUMP TO CONTENT
Search

Saved jobs

Saved jobs

From Private Practice to Global M&A: Deniz’s Journey

Posting date: 14/11/2025

What does it mean to lead high-impact, cross-border legal work inside one of the world’s most global tech companies? We sat down with Deniz Özkan Ergün, Senior Director, Head of M&A Legal and Integration at Delivery Hero, to learn about her journey and challenges.

Deniz Özkan Ergün, Senior Director, Head of M&A Legal and Integration at Delivery Hero

Deniz Özkan Ergün, Senior Director, Head of M&A Legal and Integration

What mindset shift is needed when moving from a law firm to in-house M&A?

Deniz, originally from Turkey, worked for 10 years in private practice before joining Delivery Hero. But the move in-house, she explains, was more than just a change in setting, it was a change in thinking.

“The biggest challenge was the mindset shift. In a law firm, you’re focused on delivering the perfect legal advice. But here, you’re not just an advisor, you’re a strategic business partner. You have to balance legal risk with business reality, and that often means finding fast, practical solutions.”

This shift can be uncomfortable for some, but for Deniz, it’s what makes the work exciting.

“People often think in-house roles are more relaxed,  but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Especially at Delivery Hero, the work is far more complex and rewarding than what I experienced previously.”

What does leading cross-border legal deals look like?

Deniz joined Delivery Hero at the height of the pandemic, remotely from Turkey. Six months later, she was finally able to move to Berlin, where she now leads the M&A Legal and Integration team,  a centralized unit that operates across all of Delivery Hero’s global markets.

“We deal with cross-border transactions, from acquisitions to integrations. One day I’m negotiating agreements; the next, I’m working with the business to structure a new market entry. Every day is different.”

The work spans regions and time zones, and success often depends on staying agile.

“It’s a dynamic environment. We work with evolving information, and we need to make decisions quickly. That requires resilience and a strong commercial mindset.”

How does legal work with the business?

Legal at Delivery Hero doesn’t sit in a silo. It's embedded in the business.

“We collaborate daily with other Legal teams, but also Product, Operations, and Leadership. We’re not a support function. We help shape the strategy of the company.”

Her team works closely with senior stakeholders and helps deliver on the company’s most transformative initiatives.

“Whatever legal team you join at Delivery Hero,  whether it’s M&A, Employment, or Privacy, your work will have a direct impact on our growth and success.”

What can new joiners expect? 

New joiners in Legal at Delivery Hero don’t wait long to get involved.

“You’ll be working on high-impact projects from day one. In our team, you won’t just be supporting in the background. You’ll be part of the negotiation, the decision-making, and the strategy.”

The pace is fast, and expectations are high, but so is the opportunity to grow.

“We’re proud of how quickly our team members take ownership. And we support that by improving our processes, investing in legal tech, and building leadership skills at every level.”

What does growth look like? 

Deniz’s own growth is a perfect example. She recently took on an international assignment as interim Head of Legal at foodpanda, one of Delivery Hero’s brands based in Asia.

“It was a great opportunity to step outside my comfort zone. I learned a lot, contributed in a different region, and saw firsthand how global our legal function really is.”

These kinds of mobility and stretch opportunities are part of what makes Delivery Hero unique.

“We look at our legal team as a global talent pool. If you want to grow, raise your hand, there’s always something to take on.”

What’s it like to work in the team? 

Deniz leads a team of legal professionals, currently five in M&A Legal and two senior project managers on the integration side. Her leadership approach is inclusive and ownership-driven.

“We take leadership seriously and we expect it from everyone. Our global leadership principles guide how we work. For me, it’s about staying curious, diving deep into issues, and asking lots of questions.”

And while legal work can be intense, culture matters just as much as competence.

“We take our work seriously, but even under pressure, we support each other. Good vibes to me means being polite, collaborative, and staying kind,  especially during tough negotiations.”

What are the qualities for success? 

What does it take to thrive here?

“Resilience. Adaptability. Commercial thinking. And collaboration. You’ll be dealing with fast timelines, so staying solution-oriented is key.”

What advice do you have for candidates?

Deniz is passionate about helping new joiners succeed. Her advice?

“Ask questions. During the interview process, and after you join. Don’t stay in your lane, extend your network beyond Legal, talk to stakeholders, and take time to understand the business deeply.”

For lawyers coming from private practice, she emphasizes one thing above all:

“You’re no longer just giving advice, you’re part of shaping the decisions. That’s what makes this so meaningful.”

What's next?

We are hiring for multiple opportunities across our Legal teams, check open roles here!


Tags

List #1

Roles you might be interested in

Legal Counsel, Employment Law

Salary

Location

Berlin, Germany

Job Category

Legal & GRC

Job Type

Full-time

Location

Berlin

Remote working

On-Site

Brand

Delivery Hero

Description

We are on the lookout for a Legal Counsel, Employment Law (Individual Labor Law) to join the Employment Law & Employee Relations Team on our journey to always deliver amazing experiences. In this role

Reference

442f42f2-d52b-4710-af21-03ad5d11870b

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

John Doe

Author

John Doe
John Doe

Author

John Doe
Apply
Apply
Lead, Controls Assurance

Salary

Location

Berlin, Germany

Job Category

Legal & GRC

Job Type

Full-time

Location

Berlin

Remote working

On-Site

Brand

Delivery Hero

Description

We are looking for a Lead, Controls Assurance to join GRC (Governance Risk and Compliance Team)  on our journey to always deliver amazing experiences.GRC seeks to add value by equipping the company wi

Reference

f98b6ad7-d52d-4795-b74d-57c8111754c0

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

John Doe

Author

John Doe
John Doe

Author

John Doe
Apply
Apply
List #1

Articles you might like

Black History Month: A Time to Reflect, Learn & Celebrate

Teaser

DE&I

Brand

Delivery Hero

Publish date

10/31/2025

Summary

October is always a special month, a time when our community comes together to celebrate, reflect, and honor the impact of the Black community across history and culture.This year’s Black Histor

Teaser

October is always a special month, a time when our community comes together to celebrate, reflect, and honor the impact of the Black community across history and culture.

Read more
The 5 Most Common Interview Questions and How to Answer them

Teaser

Candidate Tips & Resources

Brand

Delivery Hero

Publish date

10/17/2025

Summary

Interviewing can feel like a mystery, but it doesn’t have to! Recruiters at Delivery Hero speak with thousands of candidates around the world every year, and they’ve spotted a clear pattern: most

Teaser

Interviewing can feel like a mystery, but it doesn’t have to! Recruiters at Delivery Hero speak with thousands of candidates around the world every year, and they’ve spotted a clear pattern: most interviews come back to a handful of core questions.

Read more
10 Things You Should Know Before Moving to Berlin

Teaser

Candidate Tips & Resources

Brand

Delivery Hero

Publish date

10/14/2025

Summary

Welcome to Berlin! If you're relocating to join Delivery Hero at our HQ, we're here to help. We have pulled together 10 essential tips to make your move smoother, from visa paperwork to finding yo

Teaser

We have pulled together 10 essential tips to make your move smoother, from visa paperwork to finding your new home. Our dedicated relocation team supports every step.

Read more
Bringing Good Vibes: Inside Delivery Hero’s HeroChella

Teaser

Events

Brand

Delivery Hero

Publish date

10/09/2025

Summary

This year’s company party 'HeroChella', was inspired by the energy and diversity of a creative music festival. What started as a simple idea, grew into Delivery Hero’s biggest celebration of the

Teaser

This year’s company party 'HeroChella', was inspired by the energy and diversity of a creative music festival. What started as a simple idea, grew into Delivery Hero’s biggest celebration of the year!

Read more
Hybrid work at Delivery Hero: Flexibility & Life on Campus

Teaser

People & Teams

Brand

Delivery Hero

Publish date

09/24/2025

Summary

At Delivery Hero, we believe that the best work happens when employees feel connected and supported. That’s why our approach to hybrid working is all about flexibility, balance, and making the t

Teaser

At Delivery Hero, we believe that the best work happens when employees feel connected and supported. That’s why our approach to hybrid working is all about flexibility, balance, and making the time you spend at the office worthwhile.

Read more
Black Students Early Career Day

Teaser

DE&I

Brand

Delivery Hero

Publish date

09/19/2025

Summary

What happens when you put curious students, inspiring professionals, and career wisdom into one room? You get the Black Students and Early Career Open Day! A buzzing, interactive event hosted by

Teaser

What happens when you put curious students, inspiring professionals, and career wisdom into one room? You get the Black Students and Early Career Open Day! A buzzing, interactive event hosted by Delivery Hero’s Black Heroes Employee Resource Group.

Read more
Good Vibes Only: Wrapping Up Our Spotlight Series With a Smile

Teaser

Events

Brand

Delivery Hero

Publish date

08/01/2025

Summary

The final chapter in our Leadership Principles Spotlight Series went with a smile. Hosted by Laura Gonia, Senior Director, Product Management, the session opened with a warm welcome and a remind

Teaser

The final chapter in our Leadership Principles Spotlight Series went with a smile. Hosted by Laura Gonia, Senior Director, Product Management, the session opened with a warm welcome and a reminder: “I’m your host… and the official bringer of Good Vibes!”

Read more
Empowering Women at Delivery Hero Through Practical Negotiation Workshops

Teaser

Learning & Development

Brand

Delivery Hero

Publish date

07/31/2025

Summary

At Delivery Hero, we are committed to building high-performing teams and investing in our people. One of the most recent examples of this came via Women at Delivery Hero, one of our employee res

Teaser

At Delivery Hero, we are committed to building high-performing teams and investing in our people. One of the most recent examples of this came via Women at Delivery Hero, one of our employee resource groups, which led an initiative focused on empowering women with negotiation skills to help them advocate for themselves confidently and effectively.

Read more
Raise the Bar: The Leadership Principle That Pushes Us to Be Better!

Teaser

Events

Brand

Delivery Hero

Publish date

07/15/2025

Summary

What do baristas and high performing teams have in common? As it turns out, a lot!That’s how Wafaey (Ahmed Wafaey, Senior Director of Commercial Product) kicked us off at the Raise the Bar Spotl

Teaser

What do baristas and high performing teams have in common? As it turns out, a lot! That’s how Wafaey kicked us off at the Raise the Bar Spotlight Session. Coffee, he said, hasn’t changed. The beans are the same, the process is the same. But great baristas ask one simple, powerful question: How can I make this just a little bit better?

Read more
How We Are Shaping the Future of Hiring at Delivery Hero

Teaser

Events

Brand

Delivery Hero

Publish date

07/15/2025

Summary

At Delivery Hero, we’re not just about building teams, we’re building exceptional ones! The Bar Raiser Program is one of the key ways to ensure we continue to hire and develop the best. Let’s ta

Teaser

At Delivery Hero, we’re not just about building teams, we’re building exceptional ones! The Bar Raiser Program is one of the key ways to ensure we continue to hire and develop the best. Let’s take a closer look at the program, why it matters, and how we recently celebrated the incredible people who make it all possible.

Read more
List #1

Jobs you have shown an interest in

Search

Browse Jobs