Senior Legal Counsel (Construction and M&A)

Senior Legal Counsel (Construction and M&A)
Permanent, full time
Location: London or Selby, hybrid

Closing date: 10 January 2025

Who we are:

We’re not just talking about making a difference, we’re making it happen. We generate dispatchable, renewable power and create stable energy in an uncertain world. Building on our proud heritage, we have ambition to become the global leader in sustainable biomass and carbon removals.

You’ll be joining our teams of practical doers, future thinkers and business champions. We’re enabling a zero carbon, lower cost energy future for all, and working hard to decarbonise the planet for generations to come.

About the role:

As Senior Legal Counsel (Construction and M&A), you’ll provide high-quality and commercially aware legal advice to support the Capital Projects and M&A teams, as well as ensuring Drax complies with all laws and regulations in these areas. This will include assisting in the negotiation and drafting of complex, high-value commercial and contractual matters, mainly construction contracts (primarily based on FIDIC but also Drax internal templates) and the suite of legal documents associated with the sale or acquisition of a business/company.

The role will report to the Deputy General Counsel supporting Capital Projects and M&A but will work closely with members of the Drax Capital Projects and M&A teams, other members of the Drax Legal team, contract counterparties and external legal advisers. You may have supervisory responsibilities for more junior lawyers and/or support staff and you’ll make time to pro-actively develop them and other members of the Legal team.

You’ll also manage the external legal budget for projects you lead to ensure external legal advice is delivered efficiently and represents value for money.

A key part of the role will be to act as lead lawyer in support of the proposed “Cruachan 2” project developing a new pumped storage hydro station at Cruachan, Scotland and the construction elements of the Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) project at Drax Power Station. Ideally, you’ll have experience of both construction and corporate law, but experience as a senior construction lawyer is essential.

You’ll work with the other Senior Legal Counsel and Deputy General Counsel to foster a professional, collegiate and inclusive team environment where everyone feels a valued member of a winning team, with a worthwhile mission.

Who we’re looking for:

To be successful in this role you’ll be a solicitor or barrister qualified in a UK jurisdiction or alternative jurisdiction with UK advisory experience with experience working as a senior construction lawyer (ideally within the energy sector). Ideally, you’ll also have M&A experience (or otherwise be willing to upskill in M&A). Management experience is not essential.

In addition to the above, you’ll have the ability to provide clear and accurate legal advice. You’ll have excellent technical, analytical and drafting skills as well as strong negotiating skills.

You’ll be able to work under pressure with limited supervision in a multi-disciplinary environment and maintain high levels of focused drive and energy. You’ll have excellent project management skills, attention to detail, an ability to see the “big picture” in a project and build strong working relationships with colleagues of varying personalities across a diverse range of areas.

You’ll need to be flexible and willing to advise across a wide range of, and take on new, practice areas and be keen to learn and take on new challenges.

Rewards and benefits:

As you help us to shape the future, we’ve shaped our rewards and benefits to help you thrive and support your lifestyle. If successful in this role you’ll get:

1. A discretionary bonus based on company performance
2. Private Healthcare with Vitality
3. SAYE (Sharesave): discretionary scheme from time to time
4. Personal accident cover
5. Group personal pension plan where we’ll pay up to 10%
6. Holiday 25 days plus bank holidays
7. Reimbursement of the cost of your annual membership of one relevant and appropriate professional body

We’re committed to making a tangible impact on the climate challenge we all face. Drax is where your individual purpose can work alongside your career drive. We work as part of a team that shares a passion for doing what’s right for the future. With Drax you can shape your career and a future for generations to come.

Together, we make it happen.

At Drax, we’re committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their role. To make this a reality, we actively work to better represent the communities we operate in, foster inclusion, and establish fair processes. Through these actions, we build the trust needed for all colleagues at Drax to contribute their perspectives and talents, no matter their background.

How to apply:

Think this role’s for you? Click the ‘apply now’ button to begin your Drax journey.

If you want to find out more about Drax, check out our LinkedIn page to see our latest news.

We understand that you may have some additional questions about the role. If you’d like to have a confidential chat to discuss the role in more detail, please email careers@drax.com.

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