Legal Counsel – fixed term for 18 months (m/f/d)
Location(s): Melbourne, VIC, AU, 3000
Salary: AUD 120,000 - 160,000
RWE Renewables Australia Pty Ltd. This role requires a fixed‐term contract of 18 months. RWE Renewables is a leading player in the global energy transition, with an international team of around 3,500 employees working together to provide electricity for a sustainable life. We currently have a total capacity of more than 9 gigawatts from existing onshore and offshore wind parks, photovoltaic plants and battery storage, plus ambitious plans for continued growth to drive a net‐zero future for the world.
The role
As Legal Counsel / Senior Legal Counsel within the Renewables Australia Legal Team, you will act as one of RWE Renewables' key legal advisors on matters relating to the development, financing, procurement, construction and operation of wind, solar and battery energy storage projects across Australia. You will be a member of the Australian Legal Team and will also work closely with Legal Counsel across OPEA's European markets.
Key responsibilities
* Manage procurement and construction contracting activities, drafting and negotiating agreements such as ECI, EPC, balance‐of‐plant contracts, turbine supply agreements, civil and electrical BOP packages, battery system supply and integration agreements, and other OEM supply agreements.
* Advise on procurement strategy, tender documentation, contractor selection processes and tender evaluation, working closely with procurement, technical and project management teams.
* Draft and negotiate ancillary construction‐phase agreements, including owner's engineer appointments, independent certifier agreements, grid consultant agreements, environmental and geotechnical contractors and consultant terms, mast supplier contracts, and construction‐phase insurance arrangements.
* Support the construction and other operational RWE team members to manage construction and services contracts.
* Provide advice on contract administration issues such as payment claims, pricing validity mechanisms, variations, programming, extensions of time, delay liquidated damages, force majeure, performance liquidated damages, work quality, defects, warranties and interface risk.
* Work with real estate, planning, environmental, engineering and other experts to ensure appropriate contractual flow‐downs and risk allocation across procurement and construction contracts.
* Support contracting for services and works on RWE's operational assets – on both a 'business as usual' and planned/project basis.
* Provide general legal advice on procurement, health and safety, intellectual property, regulatory and other matters relating to the development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects.
* Support legal team initiatives, including process improvement, precedent development, knowledge management and standardisation.
* Assist with equity and debt financing of RWE's projects, partnering activities and project financing, lender due diligence, project contract risk analysis, M&A, joint venture and project financing transactions.
* Support the negotiation and review of power purchase agreements (PPAs), LTESAs and other off‐take or revenue arrangements.
* Review major construction and procurement contracts in the context of project financing and advise on bankability risks.
Grid connection and regulatory matters
* Advise on connection works, grid connection agreements and related TNSP interface arrangements.
* Support development, construction and engineering teams on grid connection matters and Australian electricity regulatory issues.
* Review legal obligations in construction, procurement and financing documents relating to grid matters.
* Provide ongoing support to the operations team regarding grid‐related obligations and contracts.
Claims management
* Identify, assess and pursue affirmative claims against contractors and suppliers, including delay, defects, performance shortfall, warranty and negligence claims.
* Respond to and resolve claims brought by contractors, including extension of time claims, disruption claims and variation disputes.
* Manage dispute escalation processes under construction contracts, including expert determination, adjudication, litigation, and arbitration proceedings.
* Coordinate external counsel on litigated or arbitrated disputes and manage external legal spend.
* Develop and maintain claims registers, evidence preservation protocols and lessons‐learnt processes.
* Advise on, and support the construction team to manage security of payment claims.
Candidate profile
* At least 7 years post‐admission experience.
* Australian legal qualifications and admission to practise in an Australian state or territory, or the ability to obtain admission.
* Experience with front‐end construction, procurement and major project contracting and a strong understanding of back‐end construction contracting including contract administration, claims management and dispute resolution.
* Experience with project and/or equity (partnering) finance and bankability requirements, ideally in the renewables, energy or infrastructure sectors.
* Excellent organisational, analytical and commercial skills.
* Flexibility and the ability to work professionally and accurately under pressure.
* Continuous improvement mindset with interest in process optimisation and standardisation.
* Strong written and verbal English skills; capability in another European language would be beneficial.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective cross‐functional relationships.
* A proactive, service‐oriented and solution‐focused approach.
* Personal drive, initiative, commitment and the ability to work effectively in an international team.
* Willingness to travel from time to time, including semi‐regular international travel.
* The right to work in Australia.
Benefits
* Flexible and hybrid working, enabling a balance between remote work and in‐office collaboration.
* Company pension scheme to help secure your future.
* Employee stock programme giving you a stake in our success.
* Training and development opportunities to support your professional growth.
EEO Statement
We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications – regardless of gender, disability, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, age, sexual orientation, and identity. #inclusionmatters
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