General Counsel - Interim role in Australia

The opportunity

Our client is a well-established Australian renewable energy business with a broad and active portfolio — spanning energy generation, retail, storage, and large-scale infrastructure development. Operating across multiple states, they are a recognised participant in Australia's energy transition with a strong pipeline of projects at various stages of development and delivery.

This interim General Counsel appointment has arisen to provide senior legal leadership during a period of organisational activity. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will take ownership of the legal function and act as a trusted adviser across the full range of commercial, regulatory, and strategic matters the business faces day to day.

What you will be doing

• Leading the in-house legal function and serving as the primary legal adviser to the executive team and board
• Providing counsel on commercial contracts, project agreements, joint ventures, and strategic transactions
• Managing regulatory compliance obligations across the NEM and relevant state-based frameworks
• Overseeing legal risk across an active development and construction pipeline, including BESS, solar, and long-duration storage projects
• Instructing and managing relationships with external counsel across multiple practice areas
• Supporting governance processes and advising on corporate matters as they arise
• Working closely with finance, development, and commercial teams to support business objectives

What we are looking for

• Qualified Australian lawyer with 12+ years PQE and a track record in senior in-house or GC-level roles
• Experience in energy, infrastructure, or project finance — exposure to renewables, BESS, or large-scale development projects is highly regarded
• Comfortable operating as the sole senior legal lead, managing a broad remit across commercial, regulatory, and strategic workstreams
• Strong communicator with the credibility to advise boards and executive leadership directly
• Available at short notice and able to commit to the full duration of the engagement

Why this role stands out

• Step into a genuine leadership position with direct board and CEO access from day one
• Work across a diverse and technically interesting portfolio — generation, retail, storage, and infrastructure all in one remit
• A business with clear purpose and a meaningful role in Australia's clean energy future
• Melbourne-based with flexible working arrangements