Company
RWE Renewables Australia Pty Ltd. 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.
Role
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.
Responsibilities Procurement and construction contracting
* Draft and negotiate ECI and preferred supplier agreements, EPC, balance‐of‐plant contracts for wind, solar and BESS projects, including turbine supply agreements, civil and electrical BOP packages, and battery system supply and integration agreements.
* Advise on procurement strategy, tender documentation, contractor selection processes and tender evaluation.
* 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, met mast supplier contracts, and construction‐phase insurance arrangements.
* Support the construction and other operational RWE team members to manage construction and services contracts.
* Advise on contract administration issues, including payment claims, pricing validity mechanisms, variations, extensions of time, liquidated damages, force majeure, and interface risk.
* Work with real estate, planning, environmental, engineering and other subject matter experts to ensure appropriate contractual flow‐downs and risk allocation.
* 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.
* Support contract negotiations and contract administration, providing timely and commercial advice to help the business execute and manage a broad range of agreements, from consultancy agreements to major equipment supply contracts.
Financing
* Assist with the equity and debt financing of RWE's projects, including partnering activities and project financing.
* Assist with lender due diligence processes, including preparation and review of legal due diligence materials, responses to lender and technical adviser queries, review of due diligence reports and coordination of project contract risk analysis.
* Work with other RWE teams and external counsel to ensure that project contracts align with financing assumptions, debt sizing, base‐case models, construction schedules, security requirements and conditions precedent.
* Assist with 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.
* Assist with M&A, joint venture and project financing transactions, particularly to the extent relevant to construction contracting.
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, including engagement with network service providers, regulators and market operators.
* Assist with the legal review of grid‐related obligations in construction, procurement and financing documents.
* 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.
* 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‐learned processes to strengthen RWE Australia's contractual position across the portfolio.
* Advise on and support the construction team to manage security of payment claims.
Qualifications
* 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 both front‐end construction, procurement and/or major project contracting and back‐end construction contracting, including contract administration, claims management and dispute resolution processes.
* 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.
* A continuous improvement mindset, with an interest in process optimisation and standardisation.
* Strong written and verbal English language 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.
We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications – regardless of gender, disability, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, age, sexual orientation and identity.
#J-18808-Ljbffr