At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Energy Projects team to provide expert legal advice on renewable energy and market regulations.
- Company: Osborne Clarke, a leading international legal practice with a focus on energy innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the renewable energy sector while developing your career.
- Qualifications: 7+ years of experience in energy regulation and commercial law, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
A firm of great experience in energy matters and has a thriving renewable energy practice.
We have an exciting new opportunity for an experienced energy lawyer to join our Energy Projects team in either Bristol or London. You will be a central senior member of our market-leading energy practice, with a particular focus on energy market commercial and regulatory advisory mandates. This will cover:
- Grid connection and use of system arrangements
- Energy offtake agreements (including corporate PPAs)
- Complex optimisation and route to market structures across power, renewables and storage
The role combines high quality transactional support with cutting edge regulatory advice in a rapidly evolving energy market. You will also be given responsibility for building client relationships and business development whilst working in a supportive team environment. A key part of the role is your ability to work proactively and collaboratively with the other team members, and we expect you to have a strong interest in developing and supervising more junior talent.
The Energy Projects team is split between Bristol and London with 9 Partners; 1 Legal Director, 5 Associate Directors; 4 Senior Associates; 9 Associates, 6 Trainee Solicitors and 1 Solicitor Apprentice. You will work directly with a number of Partners in the team and will be a key team member for providing support and supervision to the rest of the team.
Your key responsibilities will include being part of a team that provides complex, commercial advice in the following areas:
- Regulation and market design: Advising generators, investors, developers, storage providers, and other market participants on UK energy regulation, policy and market design (including liaising with our European colleagues on cross-border regulatory matters). Providing detailed advice on licence conditions, industry codes and frameworks (e.g., Electricity Act, Ofgem rules and consultations, CUSC, BSC, Grid Code); and Capacity Market rules, the CfD and new revenue support mechanisms (RAB, cap and floor etc). Creating and sharing knowhow on regulatory change and supporting client engagement with regulators and industry bodies.
- Grid connection and network arrangements: Drafting, negotiating and advising on grid connection and use-of-system arrangements at transmission and distribution level. Supporting due diligence on grid connection issues for M&A and project finance.
- Offtake and route to market: Structuring, drafting and negotiating PPAs and related offtake instruments. Advising on novel revenue stacks and merchant opportunities for renewables and storage.
- Transactions and projects: Supporting M&A and project finance transactions with specialist regulatory, grid and offtake workstreams. Coordinate multi jurisdictional advice with local counsel and internal specialists.
- Client service and practice development: Act as a trusted advisor; lead negotiations and manage complex workstreams efficiently. Supervise and develop junior lawyers and trainees; contribute to precedents and know how. Produce client alerts, thought leadership and training on emerging regulatory and market issues. Support business development, pitches and key account plans.
- Risk and financials: Manage matters to scope, budget and timelines; ensure compliance with internal risk, confidentiality and information security processes. Contribute to team financial performance.
Candidate profile
Essential Experience: 7+ years' post qualification experience in energy regulation and commercial/transactional work within a leading law firm or in house at an energy company, utility, trader or fund. Strong track record advising on the energy market areas noted above. Comfortable leading negotiations and interfacing with technical, commercial and financing teams. Excellent drafting skills and the ability to translate complex regulation into pragmatic, commercially focused advice. Collaborative mindset; confident supervising juniors and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
Desirable experience: Track record of having advised on novel energy transition technologies, including hydrogen, CCUS, long-duration storage, behind the meter structures, advanced nuclear and interconnectors. Experience of advising on heat networks and other complementary Energy Transition projects.
What We Offer: High profile mandates across renewables, storage, hydrogen, flexibility, and new energy technologies. Excellent candidate profile across one of our most strategically important sectors. A collaborative, growth oriented team with genuine responsibility from day one. Competitive remuneration and comprehensive benefits. Flexible/hybrid working and support for continued professional development.
Your career development: Clear expectations of your role and what it takes to progress; High quality clients and work, with early responsibility and client exposure; Thorough assessment and individual feedback from a range of experienced colleagues; Robust technical training with early skills based development, increasingly tailored to you; Reward for your contribution, progression and potential, rather than PQE or tenure.
At Osborne Clarke we welcome direct applications - if you would like any further information about the role, or the firm, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact, in complete confidence, Angharad Jenkins in the recruitment team.
Osborne Clarke is an inclusive working environment and values diversity in its workforce.
About Us: Osborne Clarke is an international legal practice with over 330 Partners and more than 1,260 talented lawyers in 26 locations. Our sector-based approach enables us to help our clients tackle the issues they are facing today, and prepare for the ones that they will face tomorrow. Advising them both comprehensively and commercially.
We value difference and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We want everyone to feel that OC is a place where you can be yourself and belong.
Projects Associate Director/Legal Director in London employer: Osborne Clarke
Osborne Clarke is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, particularly for the Resource Manager role in the vibrant cities of Bristol and London. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and career progression, you will have the opportunity to work closely with diverse teams while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements. The company values innovation and process improvement, making it a rewarding environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the Disputes & Risk practice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Projects Associate Director/Legal Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the energy sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for renewable energy and how your experience aligns with their needs. Tailor your responses to highlight your expertise in energy regulation and market design.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in advising on complex regulatory matters and your ability to lead negotiations.
✨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 you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Osborne Clarke. Let’s make your next career move a great one!
We think you need these skills to ace Projects Associate Director/Legal Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in energy regulation and commercial work. We want to see how your skills align with the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Team Spirit:Since collaboration is key in our team, don’t forget to mention your experience in supervising junior lawyers and working within multidisciplinary teams. We love a strong team player!
Be Clear and Concise:When drafting your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your qualifications and experiences, especially when discussing complex regulatory matters.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you into our system quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Osborne Clarke
✨Know Your Energy Regulations
Make sure you brush up on UK energy regulations, especially the Electricity Act and Ofgem rules. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the law but also understand its practical implications in the energy market.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
This role requires a collaborative mindset, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams before. Highlight any experience supervising junior lawyers or coordinating multidisciplinary teams to demonstrate your leadership skills.
✨Prepare for Complex Negotiations
Since you'll be leading negotiations, think of specific instances where you've navigated complex discussions. Be prepared to explain your approach and how you achieved successful outcomes, particularly in energy-related transactions.
✨Demonstrate Business Development Skills
The role involves building client relationships, so come equipped with ideas on how you can contribute to business development. Discuss any previous experiences where you've successfully engaged clients or developed new business opportunities in the energy sector.
