Renewable Energy
Legal Counsel or Senior Legal Counsel
• Sydney CBD location
• Dynamic role working for a recognised industry leader
• Focus on supporting the different development and transaction execution activities of the business
Our client is one of the leading global renewable energy companies operating in Australia. They are recruiting an Inhouse Legal Counsel, (up to 7 pqe) or Senior Legal Counsel (8pqe+) to join its local Legal Team in Sydney. They are searching a motivated candidate wanting to gain exposure to some of the most significant renewable energy assets built in Australia and NZ. The role requires a person with good technical legal experience from a major law firm or with a sophisticated in-house legal department with a focus on projects and construction, a critical eye, excellent attention to detail, written and verbal communications.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide counsel to the local commercial team with respect to the development, financing, construction and operation of utility-scale renewable energy projects (primarily photovoltaic and BESS)
• Assist with the management of land, regulatory and permitting affairs, particularly during project development stages, including negotiating and managing land options
• Research, review, interpret, draft and negotiate project contracts such as power purchase agreements, EPC agreements and O&M agreements and project finance documents such as facility agreements and security documents
• Review, interpret, draft and negotiate corporate documents such as SPAs, JVAs, co-development/ joint development agreements
• Manage and supervise outside counsel; manage and be responsible for administrating legal budgets; review and approve outside counsel invoices
• Provide counsel on legal issues identified by construction management in connection with projects under construction
• Provide counsel on legal issues identified by O&M and asset management in connection with projects under operation
• Provide support with the corporate housekeeping activities of the clients Australian entities, including company secretarial support
• Provide support to their new technologies development business including batteries and hydrogen.
• Assist with potential disputes
SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
• 6-10 + years of professional legal work experience
• Strong technical knowledge around the negotiation and drafting of project documentation particularly EPC, PPA and Construction agreements
• Project Finance experience, whilst not necessary, would be looked upon very favourably
EDUCATION
• Law degree from a leading law school
• Licensed to practice law in Australia
SOFT SKILLS
• Detail-oriented, proactive, communication skills, team spirit
About the client
Our client is part of a global group of companies with the ambition to continue leading the global transition to a more sustainable energy future. They have evolved from being just a developer to becoming an independent power producer.
The company expects to invest more than US$ 1.5 billion globally, with the goal of doubling total installed capacity from 2 GW in 2021 to 4 GW in 2024.
About the Australian business
Our client was one of the first international solar developers to enter the Australian market and developed its first Australian solar PV project pipeline over 10 years ago. They were also the first company to deliver a project-financed large scale solar farm in Australia. To date, the company has developed over 1GW of PV assets built or under construction across 10 projects for a total project investment value of over 1 billion dollars.
They have a very strong pipeline of new projects which are all hybrid in nature, and include Solar, Battery & Hydrogen. They are exploring acquiring or developing Wind projects currently.
This is a very strong, well run, and well funded, renewable energy business, with a proven track record of successful energy project developments and operations in Australia and internationally. They have a strong existing legal team and are looking to add another lawyer to help with their growing needs.