Head of Legal - Renewable Energy Platform

Head of Legal for a dynamic and highly successful international Renewable Energy company.

As the sole legal counsel within the business the Head of Legal will understand company’s strategy and objectives, producing viable, tangible and commercially astute solutions enabling informed strategic choices to be made within an acceptable legal risk profile. The Head of Legal will use their well-rounded renewable energy or infrastructure experience alongside their knowledge and skills in project development (land, planning, grid), construction (EPC/O&M), and operational aspects (PPAs) to support this strategy.

Working as part of a highly collaborative cross functional team, and from time-to-time external counsel, the Head of Legal will support the business with legal advice for the development, construction, acquisition, and operation of renewable assets. This will include providing advice on regulatory matters with regards to tariffs, grid connections, planning, consenting and providing support with regards to dispute resolution.

The Head of Legal will also support corporate activities e.g. Companies House Filings.

Responsibilities

• Provision of corporate and commercial advice, alongside the identification and management of legal risks for projects. This includes providing advice and support in submitting bids, responding to invitations to tender.
• Supporting the Legal Services Department and, where appropriate, leading the management of due diligence processes for acquisitions and divestments by coordinating information flow, supervising calls, and meetings, as well as reviewing and analysing complex company and asset information.
• Drafting and negotiating on a wide range of bespoke agreements, including commercial contacts, consultancy agreements, construction and supply agreements, non-disclosure agreements and other agreements, as required, ensuring that there is comprehensive tracking of project based and commercial documents.
• Helping to manage day-to-day deal execution, interacting with senior deal team members and colleagues within the Legal Services Department, developer management teams, transaction counterparties and other advisors.
• Providing contract management support to enforce contract rights and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Involvement and, where relevant, responsibility, for legal aspects of CfD/ relevant auction submissions, corporate, contracting, financing and other key features relating to the project’s development.
• Supporting on property and planning matters (including onshore and offshore wind).
• Monitoring and advising on regulatory developments within the renewable energy sector and on the regulatory framework applicable to projects at national, regional, and local level.
• Ensuring good governance and compliance with all regulatory aspects, by supporting the business in following the correct legal, compliance and governance procedures ensuring effective contracting, procurement, and negotiation.
• Managing relationships with internal parties e.g. Legal Services Department and external parties such as external lawyers, corporate brokers, regulators.
• Researching and evaluating risk factors regarding business decisions and operations.
• Managing disputes and litigation for the company.
• Reporting on project progress, both through written status reports and presentations to senior management.

Skills and Qualifications

• Fluent in English
• UK or Common Law qualified Lawyer
• 5 – 10 years PQE with training in a reputable firm or in-house legal function
• MA or BSc in Business Administration will be considered an advantage
• Renewable energy related experience, ideally within a project environment alongside experience in infrastructure or construction matters. An understanding of banking and finance would be a bonus
• Exposure to European markets would be a big plus
• Full comprehension of the influences of the external environment of a Renewable Energy Organisation
• Demonstrated ability to create legal defensive or proactive strategies
• Sound judgement and ability to analyse situations and information
• Ability to comfortably interact with senior management and project developers in a professional and mature manner
• Can work independently, producing high quality deliverables such as Board materials and other presentation materials as necessary
• Intellectual curiosity with a high degree of professional ethics and integrity
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects with different teams.
• Highly organised, meticulous, proactive, flexible, and entrepreneurial
• Outstanding communication skills with exceptional written skills coupled with specific ability to communicate concepts and ideas concisely and defend their validity.