ERSG USA are currently recruiting for a General/Legal Counsel to work for a global leader in offshore wind and renewable energy.
Based in Boston, we are looking for an individual to advise on and oversee the full range of legal matters involving our client, including advice in regulatory, environmental, and administrative law as well as drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts. The General Counsel will provide advice to the Managing Director and senior management on all legal, regulatory, policy, and commercial law matters related to the activities of the company and its affiliates and employees, particularly related to renewable energy project development, construction, and operations and will complement the company's legal team with regard to US-related matters. The General Counsel will provide support to the preparation and negotiation of power purchase agreements, component supply agreements, partnership discussions, community benefit agreements, real estate agreements, operations and maintenance contracts, engineering services agreements, consulting services agreements, purchase agreements, and other documents. Finally, the General Counsel, which will work closely with the company's legal department in Germany, will also oversee day-to-day company- and project-related legal issues and provide legal expertise and support to the company overall.
Responsibilities:
* Manage legal affairs in support of advancing the company's offshore wind development efforts in North America * Operate as a senior member of the company's management team and fulfill the central function for legal matters with responsibility for setting overall legal strategy and opportunity for input on EnBW North America's strategic direction * Collaborate and closely coordinate with the ocmpany's legal team in Germany * Manage relationship and workflow with principal outside legal counsels and, where appropriate, identify, procure, and manage specialized law firms for specific tasks and transactions * Manage legal budget, including legal budget associated with outside legal counsel and support * Provide legal advice to origination, asset management and other business areas with respect to offtake, trading and other agreements relating to renewable energy projects * Provide legal advice in connection with energy marketing topics associated with entering into financial and physical electrical energy transactions, and in support of the legal and regulatory compliance matters related to such transactions * Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and other agreements, including RFPs, template agreements, real estate agreements, service agreements, as well as renewable energy power purchase agreements and OREC contracts and REC sales with a variety of counterparties, e.g., utilities, C&I customers, & financial counterparties * Provide strategic and legal advice on partnership discussions, community benefit agreements, and local content initiatives * Assist the copmpany with investment tax credit documentation and legal due diligence * Advise on related business-related regulatory issues and compliance matters, and develop and maintain commercial policies and procedures and monitor to ensure compliance
* Advise senior management on all aspects of corporate governance and compliance, including statutory requirements, corporate bylaws, public law, employment and HR matters, and confidentiality policies, in close collaboration with the company's central departments * Prepare and deliver updates on legal developments and requirements to various audiences and provide ongoing advice on applicable laws and regulations governing commercial activities * Willingness to travel periodically within U.S., mostly in the Northeast, and to Germany
Qualifications:
Education:
* J.D. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Experience & Skills:
* 10+ years of legal experience, with a minimum of five (5) years of experience at a major law firm or public entity (a combination of law firm and in-house experience a plus) * General experience in the following areas of law preferred: regulatory, environmental, energy, contract, general business, tax * Able to analyze complex legal issues and provide judgement and guidance on appropriate corporate response * Knowledge and/or experience with the offshore wind industry or other large clean energy development preferred but not essential * Understanding of energy markets, renewable technologies and of national and regional regulation relevant for wind onshore development (e.g. to provide guidance in the permitting process) - preferred but not essential * Ability to analyze and summarize complex development topics, aggregate decision-relevant information to convey messages clearly and concisely, and objectively develop, challenge, and verify conclusions * Ability to securely handle sensitive, confidential, and privileged information * Acting comfortably in cross-cultural teams, collaborating across country boundaries with a sense for diversity and inclusion * Excellent oral and written English skills. * Ability to lead and manage multiple projects, work independently, work under pressure, and meet deadlines * Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills * Strong experience with common business software tools, such as Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel)
