Senior Legal Counsel

South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services. With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities. With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

Job Summary:

As a Senior Specialist Legal Counsel for EMEA, you will support the Legal team in managing legal activities in the dynamic carbon markets, focusing on trading and commercial operations. You will work closely with our different business lines which include Advisory, Portfolio and Certificates teams to ensure compliance with relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, assist in contract negotiation, and contribute to the refinement of legal templates, playbooks, and processes. You will draft, review, and negotiate business-as-usual (BAU) contracts, including client and partner agreements, ensuring alignment with company policies and participate in and support commercial negotiations.

You will also contribute to fostering a culture of excellence within the EMEA Legal Commercial team and have initiative and drive to deliver governance transformation, automation and standardisation goals within the organisation, participating in special projects commissioned by the General Counsel from time to time.

Main tasks & responsibilities:

1. Commercial Contracting and Negotiation:

   • Draft, review, negotiate, and draft a variety of contracts, including voluntary carbon trading contracts, environmental attribute certificate contracts (including Go’s, REC’s, IREC’s, REGO’s, etc.), services consultancy agreements, emission reduction purchase agreements, and commercial trading-related agreements, utilizing templates and playbooks.

   • Act as a lead negotiator in contract discussions with relevant counterparties (clients, partners, suppliers, service providers), with support from key business stakeholders.

   • Support the tender process and help structure transactions for the commercial functions.

2. Risk Assessment and Management (Trading/Regulatory):

   • Perform risk assessments of proposed contractual terms and conditions, developing recommendations to minimize potential risks and add value to business activities.

   • Monitor developments and implementation of relevant new legislation and advise on due diligence.

   • Update and maintain templates and the overall contracting process.

3. Legal Advisory and Collaboration:

   • Act as a trusted advisor to the business on all contractual, corporate, and contract-related legal matters, providing sound legal advice and highlighting the need for review or development of new alternate positions.

   • Collaborate with and advise local and global business teams, including HR, Risk Management, Operations, and participate in global procurement & trading and legal improvement projects.

   • Lead South Pole legal representative with regards to trading activities on online platforms and exchanges, as well as financial derivatives such as futures on regulated exchanges (e.g., ICE, CME), swaps, and options.

Requirements
Essential skills and experience:

1. Law degree from an accredited law school or equivalent in other jurisdictions; licensed to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction.

2. 3-5 years PQE in an international law firm or comparable in-house experience.

3. Preferable to have physical and financial commodity trading experience or project development and finance experience.

4. Experience transacting in frontier markets and carbon market experience are advantageous but are not requirements.

5. Experience in contract review, negotiation, and management in the context of project development or commodities trading.

6. Strong leadership, team management, and mentoring skills with a proven track record in developing legal professionals.

7. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

8. Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, senior management, and external stakeholders.

9. Ability to de-escalate and build consensus.

10. Knowledge of relevant legal regulations, compliance requirements, and industry standards in the voluntary carbon market is a plus.

What we offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international, and fast-growing organisation.

We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make; South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

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