General Counsel - Renewables - Australia role in Australia

About the job

General Counsel – Renewable Energy (Utility-scale) - Sydney, NSW

Role Summary

The General Counsel (GC) will serve as the chief legal advisor to the organisation, overseeing all legal, regulatory, governance, and compliance matters for a rapidly growing renewable energy business. This role is suited to a senior lawyer with 10–15 years post‑qualification experience and extensive expertise in utility‑scale renewable energy projects M&A transactions power purchase agreements (PPAs), and capital investment and divestment activities

The GC will lead the legal function, support strategic decision‑making, manage external counsel, and ensure the organisation’s interests are protected across all jurisdictions in which it operates.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Legal Leadership
• Serve as principal legal advisor to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board.
• Lead the development and execution of the company’s legal strategy aligned with long‑term commercial objectives.
• Advise on risk management, regulatory developments, and emerging trends in renewable energy markets.
• Project Development & Renewable Energy Transactions
• Provide end‑to‑end legal oversight of utility‑scale solar, wind, battery storage, and hybrid energy projects (development, construction, financing, and operations).
• Negotiate and draft key project documentation, including EPC, O&M, grid connection, land access, and project financing agreements.
• Advise on regulatory frameworks relating to energy markets, planning approvals, environmental compliance, and grid integration.
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Lead legal execution of corporate M&A transactions including project acquisitions, development platform deals, joint ventures, and corporate restructures.
• Conduct, manage, and review complex due‑diligence processes on project assets and corporate entities.
• Advise on transaction structuring, risk allocation, shareholder arrangements, and post‑completion integration.
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) & Revenue Contracts
• Negotiate, structure, and draft corporate, utility, and government PPAs for renewable and storage projects.
• Advise on merchant exposure, offtake structures, hedging mechanisms, and market pricing dynamics.
• Support origination teams in evaluating commercial and risk implications of offtake opportunities.
• Investment, Divestment & Capital Markets
• Lead legal aspects of project and portfolio investment, divestment, and refinancing activities.
• Manage investor negotiations, data rooms, term sheets, and project equity arrangements.
• Provide advice on corporate governance, capital raising, shareholder agreements, and financing structures.
• Corporate Governance & Compliance
• Oversee company secretarial functions, board governance, compliance frameworks, and regulatory reporting.
• Ensure compliance with energy regulators, environmental authorities, corporate legislation, and market rules.
• Develop and implement policies covering privacy, competition law, procurement, ESG, and risk management.
• External Counsel & Stakeholder Management
• Manage relationships with law firms and specialist advisors across multiple jurisdictions.
• Act as the organisation’s legal representative when engaging with regulators, government bodies, and commercial partners.
• Provide training and guidance to internal teams on legal and compliance matters.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• 10–15 years PQE within a reputable law firm and/or in‑house legal role.
• Deep experience in renewable energy projects, ideally across multiple asset classes (solar, wind, BESS, hydrogen).
• Proven track record in M&A, project financing, PPAs, and large‑scale infrastructure transactions.
• Strong understanding of energy regulatory frameworks, approvals processes, and market structures.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and commercial advisory skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work at executive level and influence senior stakeholders.

Desirable

• International renewable energy experience.
• Prior leadership of a legal function or high‑performing legal team.
• Experience in ESG, sustainability regulations, and climate‑related disclosures.
• Familiarity with corporate governance in high‑growth or investor‑backed companies.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded with strong business acumen.
• Strategic thinker who can balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Collaborative, approachable, and proactive in problem‑solving.
• High integrity, resilience, and sound judgment.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.