Legal Counsel, UK Origination - London in East Grinstead

Legal Counsel, UK Origination - London in East Grinstead

East Grinstead Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Centrica

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide legal support for renewable energy projects and negotiate complex energy agreements.
  • Company: Join Centrica, a leader in revolutionising a cleaner, greener future.
  • Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to engage across various teams and drive strategic value.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy sector while supporting sustainable initiatives.
  • Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with experience in contract law and a passion for business collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

We are Centrica! We're so much more than an energy company. We're a family of brands revolutionising a cleaner, greener future. Working here is #MoreThanACareer - we're powered by purpose. Together we can make an impact that will truly change tomorrow. Whether you're developing cutting-edge green tech, helping customers on the front line or simplifying operations behind the scenes. Your work here isn't just a job; it's a mission. We all play a vital role in energising a greener, fairer future.

We have a new opportunity for a Legal Counsel, UK Origination. The purpose of this role is to primarily provide legal support and management of matters for our origination business which has a strong focus on renewable energy.

Location: With our Flexible First working arrangements we empower our colleagues to work in a way that best suits them - meaning location doesn't need to be a barrier. This role can be mostly based at home but you must be flexible to work from our London office and travel as needed.

In this role, you will be required to manage a varied legal workload. Key areas will include:

  • Provide strategic legal advice on the negotiation of complex energy agreements, including power, gas, biomethane, and certificates.
  • Draft and negotiate commercial contracts in close partnership with the business.
  • Support cross-functional projects and working groups, offering clear legal insight and risk assessment.
  • Partner with Contract Management and Credit teams to manage and optimise the existing contract portfolio.
  • Advise on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including NDAs, guarantees, letters of credit, and PoAs.
  • Enable business growth by supporting new products, market expansion, and entry into new jurisdictions.
  • Monitor and assess regulatory developments, advising on impact and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Collaborate with renewables teams to support green certificate trading activities.
  • Manage disputes, including pre-litigation matters, working with external counterparties and legal counsel.
  • Contribute to wider legal team initiatives and engage external counsel where required.

The role has close interaction with the Origination, Trading and Contract Management teams as well as other functions such as Compliance, Credit, Business Control and Regulatory Affairs.

Here's who we're looking for:

We're looking for a commercially minded Legal Counsel with a strong foundation in contract law and a passion for partnering with the business to drive value. You'll be a qualified lawyer, ideally with experience in the energy, commodities, or a similarly complex, regulated sector. In-house experience is beneficial but not essential - we welcome candidates from private practice who are keen to move into a dynamic, business-facing role.

You'll bring:

  • A strong track record in drafting, structuring, and negotiating complex commercial contracts.
  • The ability to manage multiple stakeholders and navigate large, complex matters with confidence.
  • Sound commercial judgement, with a clear understanding of how legal decisions support strategic business goals.
  • Confidence in communicating legal risk clearly, alongside pragmatic, solution-focused mitigation strategies.
  • A collaborative, proactive approach - comfortable working closely with teams across the business as a trusted advisor.
  • Experience managing or instructing external counsel, where required.
  • A keen interest in regulatory developments and industry trends, particularly within the energy sector.

Above all, you'll be a team player with a pragmatic mindset, ready to operate as an embedded partner to the business enabling smart, compliant, and commercially effective decision-making.

Legal Counsel, UK Origination - London in East Grinstead employer: Centrica

At Centrica, we pride ourselves on being more than just an energy company; we are a family of brands dedicated to creating a cleaner, greener future. Our flexible working arrangements empower you to balance your professional and personal life, allowing you to work primarily from home while still engaging with our vibrant London office. With a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, we offer a dynamic environment where your legal expertise will directly contribute to innovative projects in renewable energy, making your role not just a job, but a meaningful mission.

Centrica

Contact Details:

Centrica Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel, UK Origination - London in East Grinstead

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the energy sector, especially those who work at Centrica or similar companies. Use LinkedIn to connect and engage with them; you never know who might have a lead on your dream job!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Centrica's values and recent projects. Show us how your skills align with our mission of energising a greener future. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience in contract law and your passion for renewable energy.

Tip Number 3

Practice your negotiation skills! Since the role involves complex energy agreements, consider role-playing scenarios with friends or mentors. This will help you articulate your legal insights and risk assessments confidently during interviews.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission-driven team at Centrica.

We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel, UK Origination - London in East Grinstead

Legal Support
Contract Law
Negotiation Skills
Commercial Contracts
Stakeholder Management
Sound Commercial Judgement
Risk Assessment

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience in contract law and any relevant work in the energy sector. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of energising a greener future!

Showcase Your Commercial Mindset:In your application, emphasise your ability to provide strategic legal advice and how you've successfully navigated complex commercial contracts. We’re looking for someone who can partner with us to drive value, so let that shine through!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your cover letter, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to communicating legal risks and solutions. Make it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for this role!

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our potential future team members!

How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica

Know Your Legal Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your contract law and energy sector regulations. Be ready to discuss specific legal frameworks and how they apply to the role. This shows you're not just familiar with the basics but can also provide strategic insights.

Show Your Business Acumen

Centrica is looking for someone who understands how legal decisions impact business goals. Prepare examples of how you've partnered with businesses in the past to drive value and mitigate risks. This will demonstrate your commercial mindset.

Be Ready to Collaborate

Since this role involves working closely with various teams, think of instances where you've successfully collaborated across departments. Highlight your proactive approach and how you’ve acted as a trusted advisor in previous roles.

Stay Updated on Industry Trends

Familiarise yourself with current trends in the energy sector, especially around renewable energy and regulatory changes. Being able to discuss these topics will show your genuine interest in the field and your readiness to contribute to Centrica's mission.