Legal Counsel (Sunderland)

OVERVIEW:

AESC, a fast-growing leading EV and BESS battery technology company, is seeking a Legal Counsel to be a member of the European legal team. The Sunderland plant, operational since 2012, is Europe’s first and the UK’s only EV battery factory for over a decade. In July 2021, AESC announced the construction of AESC’s second Sunderland battery plant, which will be the UK’s largest gigafactory. When operational, it is expected to employ more than 1,000 people. The new gigafactory is expected to be powered by 100% carbon neutral energy, aligning with our company’s global commitment to sustainability.

In this role, you will provide hands-on legal advice and work on a wide variety of corporate legal matters that reflect the changing needs of a high-growth battery business. You will be a contract negotiator, build and maintain a corporate governance structure, manage internal legal know-how and support the business’s growth initiatives.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the General Counsel, EMEA on UK- and, as required, European-wide matters and projects
• Prepare and negotiate contracts related to both building and operating existing and new gigafactories in UK and Europe: EPC, design-build, equipment supply, construction, service, subcontractor, MPAs, lease, consultancy, IT, Utility and logistics & transportation
• Provide commercially-sound legal advice to key international functional teams (Purchasing, Sales, HR) in UK, Europe, China, Japan and US on various UK- and, as required, Europe-related matters
• Collaborate with global teams to create and maintain a library of contract templates and other legal operations initiatives
• Develop and provide compliance related training programs (trade compliance, data privacy, anti-bribery), manage filings and other corporate secretarial matters for corporate entities in UK and Europe
• Manage external counsel cost-effectively

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Automotive or manufacturing sector (or a related sector) knowledge will be a significant advantage
• Experience with handling contracts for any of EPC, design-build, equipment supply, construction, service, subcontractor, MPAs, lease, consultancy, IT, Utility and logistics & transportation will be an advantage
• Comfortable with working on issues related to employment, litigation, regulatory compliance, data privacy, real estate and other commercial areas of law
• The role is primarily aimed for candidates with junior- to mid-level commercial legal experience gained at a respected law firm and/or in-house at an MNC
• In the context of a ‘start-up’ and multi-cultural environment: a commercial (not just legal) mindset; capable of working independently; capacity for problem-solving; sharp attention to quality; a growth mindset to learning about the business and the sector; a strong communicator; and an astute builder of working relationships with relevant stakeholders
• Qualified to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales
• Fluency in English is required. Chinese language skills would be significant advantage. French, Spanish, German and Japanese language skills would be advantageous – reflecting the global footprint of the company