Senior Legal Associate

Join Akaysha Energy, a driving force behind Australia's renewable energy revolution. As a subsidiary of BlackRock's Global Renewable Power Fund, we are at the forefront of developing, financing, and operating transformative energy storage and renewable projects. Harness your passion for the climate and join a leader in the global energy transition.

At Akaysha Energy, we combine cutting-edge energy market modeling and data analytics with project development and financing expertise to rapidly decarbonize energy markets. Be part of our mission and work in a dynamic, intellectually stimulating, and supportive environment where your ideas matter. Influence critical decisions and shape the future of sustainable energy.

Accelerate your career with us and enjoy above-market performance bonuses, flexible working arrangements and benefit from training and development opportunities. Collaborate with passionate experts in the field, taking on empowering, hands-on roles with real-world impacts. Grow professionally and personally, broadening your experience, knowledge, and skills. 

Make a difference. Join Akaysha Energy today.

Location:
Our preference is for this position to be located in Melbourne, Cremorne.

We're open to a hybrid working style; spend time in the office and at home.  

Reporting to:

Senior Legal Manager

The role:

Akaysha is a developer, owner and operator of utility scale batteries, as such this is a unique experience to work with experts across battery technology and energy markets. The legal team at Akaysha is at the centre of the key contracts that underpin the business and is critical to solving complex issues to ensure smooth development, construction and operation of our projects.

Working on all aspects of the life cycle of Akaysha's projects including the Waratah Super Battery and the Orana Battery Project in Wellington; these projects are key assets in Australia's energy transition and are amongst the world's most powerful batteries. As a Senior Legal Associate you will work on key deals and structuring's including novel offtake agreements, complicated financing structures and assist in the expansion of the Akaysha business overseas including key markets in the US and Japan.

You'll lead processes on complex project arrangements, including early project agreements and manage external stakeholder engagements as well as on-going construction phase and operations phase work. As a Senior Legal Associate you'll take on ownership of projects and become responsible for the project management as it relates to legal agreements; dealing directly with counterparties and services providers. As a part of the wider legal function you will work across various Akaysha pillars to provide support in all areas of the business. The role will be responsible for implementing and enhancing our legal process including corporate governance and will also where needed, assist with risk and compliance.

In many ways, it is a legal position unlike many other internal opportunities whereby you'll be providing value from day one and be able to see contracts come alive as our assets are built. 

Key responsibilities will include:

• Drafting and negotiating with external support of all key project agreements including battery supply contracts, balance of plant/epc contracts, connection agreements, land documents.
• Taking lead on engaging and co-ordinating with external advisors
• Legal support on financing of all projects
• Legal support on guiding projects through internal approvals
• Structuring and FIRB issues
• Dealing with commercial and legal issues throughout the life cycle of the project
• Working closely with key stakeholders including equity investors and financiers
• Working on legal aspects on expansion of business in overseas jurisdictions and associated regulatory and legal issues

What you'll bring:

The ideal candidate will have between 5 to 7 years PAE and:

• Solid transactional and commercial contracting background in projects
• Experience in negotiating contracts with various stakeholders
• Exceptional drafting experience across a range of commercial contracts
• Strong attention to detail in drafting and reviewing contracts as well as managing transactional processes
• Ability to manage a number of workstreams across different projects at the same time
• Solid presentation skills
• Genuine interest in and passion for the energy transition
• Keeness to join a growing team and provide value from day one.

Please be aware you must be an Australian citizen, hold permanent residency status or have existing AU working rights to apply for this role.

#LI-DNI