Lead construction and development legal matters for major renewable energy projects including solar, wind, and battery storage across Australia.
Location:
Melbourne or Sydney
Contact:
Ivan Pignataro, D'Arcy Weil |
Focus:
Front-end construction, EPC contracts, project development
D'Arcy Weil
is representing a global renewable energy company operating one of Australia's largest portfolios of renewable generation and battery storage assets. They are delivering substantial solar, wind, and battery projects across multiple states, managing multi-billion dollar construction projects whilst playing a leading role in Australia's energy transition.
The business is expanding its renewable energy pipeline with multiple large-scale projects entering construction phase. They require experienced construction legal expertise to negotiate and manage EPC contracts, development agreements, and front-end construction matters across their growing portfolio.
They are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel with front-end construction focus to lead legal matters for renewable energy projects from development through construction completion. This role offers the opportunity to work on Australia's largest renewable energy projects whilst building legal frameworks supporting multi-billion dollar construction.
The Role
As
Senior Legal Counsel - Construction & Development
, you will provide legal support across renewable energy project construction and development activities. This role focuses specifically on front-end construction matters including EPC contract negotiation, contractor management, construction risk allocation, and development agreements for solar, wind, and battery storage projects.
You will negotiate and draft EPC contracts, balance-of-plant agreements, and construction-related documentation, manage contractor relationships and construction disputes, advise on construction risk and liability matters, and coordinate with project development, engineering, and procurement teams throughout project lifecycles.
This is a high-impact in-house legal role requiring deep construction law expertise, commercial pragmatism, and the ability to support multiple concurrent large-scale renewable energy projects through construction phases.
Key Responsibilities
Construction & EPC Contracts:
* Negotiate, draft, and manage EPC contracts for solar, wind, and battery storage projects
* Lead balance-of-plant (BoP) agreements and construction subcontract arrangements
* Advise on construction risk allocation, liability frameworks, and contract structures
* Negotiate performance securities, parent company guarantees, and contractor bonding arrangements
* Support procurement processes and contractor selection activities
* Coordinate construction contract administration and variation management
Project Development:
* Draft and negotiate development agreements, land agreements, and site access arrangements
* Support project development activities including site acquisition and early-stage permitting
* Advise on development risk and structuring for greenfield renewable energy projects
* Coordinate with development teams on legal requirements for project advancement
Pre-Construction & Development Support:
* Advise on project structuring and legal frameworks for greenfield renewable developments
* Support early contractor engagement, market sounding, and procurement strategy
* Coordinate land acquisition, property due diligence, and site access arrangements
* Advise on planning approvals, development consents, and regulatory requirements for project advancement
* Support grid connection applications and network agreements
* Provide legal risk assessments for investment decisions and project approvals
Stakeholder Management:
* Work collaboratively with project development, engineering, procurement, and construction teams
* Liaise with external legal advisors, contractors, and project stakeholders
* Collaborate with international in-house legal teams across the company's global operations
* Provide commercial legal advice to senior management and project directors
* Support investment decisions and project approvals with legal risk assessments
Requirements
* Admitted legal practitioner in Australia with current practising certificate
* 8-12 years' post-admission experience with substantial construction law focus
* Proven expertise negotiating and drafting EPC contracts for large-scale infrastructure or energy projects
* Deep understanding of construction law including risk allocation, liability frameworks, contract administration, and dispute resolution
* Experience with renewable energy projects (solar, wind, battery storage) highly desirable
* Strong commercial acumen with ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
* Demonstrated capability managing multiple concurrent construction projects
* Experience handling construction disputes, claims, and contractor performance matters
* Understanding of development agreements, land agreements, and project structuring
* Familiarity with regulatory frameworks for renewable energy projects advantageous
* Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills
* Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary project teams
* Experience in private practice construction/infrastructure teams or in-house roles with major developers, contractors, or energy companies
What This Role Offers
* Competitive remuneration package with a host of benefits
* Comprehensive benefits including flexible working arrangements, professional development support, and wellness initiatives
* Opportunity to work on Australia's largest renewable energy projects
* Exposure to utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage construction programmes
* Career progression within global renewable energy leader
* Collaborative, purpose-driven culture focused on energy transition
* Hybrid working model with flexibility between Melbourne or Sydney offices
Please submit your CV and a professional biography addressin
g:
* Experience negotiating and drafting EPC contracts and balance-of-plant agreements for large-scale construction projects
* Specific examples of renewable energy or infrastructure projects including project value, role, and key front-end construction legal matters
* Approach to pre-construction structuring, land acquisition, and development agreements
* Experience working with international in-house legal teams and coordinating across multidisciplinary project teams
* Ability to provide commercial legal advice supporting project development and construction objectives
For Further Information Contact
Ivan Pignataro | Director
D'Arcy Weil
T:
M:
phone calls only - no texts please)
E:
This role is being managed exclusively by Ivan Pignataro at D'Arcy Weil. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.