About the business

Our client operates in the renewable energy space with a portfolio of projects in the pipeline across NZ and with ambitions to scale. As a result, the business is looking to hire a legal counsel to join its team in a newly created role. In this role, you will provide critical legal support across the business, with a focus on project development, delivery, M&A, contract drafting and negotiations and financing.

Working closely with the executive team, project developers, engineers, project managers and external legal advisors, you will play a key role in driving the successful development, financing and delivery of the pipeline of projects the business has on the go. 

This role will allow you to work remotely during the period of this contract. There is potential for this role to go permanent depending on business needs that will be reassessed down the track and, if extended or made permanent, will move to a hybrid working model. 
 
Day to day responsibilities include:

• Advising on the full project lifecycle for large-scale energy developments
• Drafting and negotiating key project documents including supply agreements, project delivery subcontracts, land agreements, connection agreements, offtake agreements, finance documents, shareholder and sale agreements (prior experience with all these agreements isn't a must).
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts relevant to renewable energy projects.
• Lead legal due diligence and support technical, insurance and tax due diligence for project financing and M&A (buy and sell side). 
• Provide proactive strategic legal advice on structuring, regulatory compliance, risk management and corporate governance.
• Partner with internal stakeholders, including development, engineering, delivery, and operations teams, to drive commercial outcomes and successful project execution.
• Engage and manage external legal advisors where required.
• Manage day to day corporate legal affairs of the business and deliver training to internal teams.

About You 

• NZ Qualified lawyer with a minimum of 4+ year's PQE (from private practice and/or in-house). Those more senior are of interest as well.
• Experience across at least one of the following areas (a combination would be an advantage): commercial construction and major projects, property, M&A / Corporate, project finance or energy and infrastructure related experience.
• Commercially minded with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.
• Sound organisation, stakeholder management and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically and communicate complex information simply and clearly.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively with the support of the exec team.
• A genuine interest in the renewable energy sector.

This role could well suit someone looking to make their mark in an industry that is growing in NZ, or someone looking for their first in-house legal role. The role will give you experience in an industry that will set you up well for the future, and may suit you if you've got a young family or want to cut down on commute times by working remotely.

For more information, contact Liz Sloan on 027 211 6718 or Anand Ranchhod on 027 2746 186 or email your CV to liz@colegal.co.nz or click APPLY now.