* Maternity Cover for Etchea Energy Legal Director commencing April 2026. Opportunity for permanent role depending on business development during the period, which Legal Director will support.
* Managing one Legal Counsel.
* The Legal Director will report to the CEO and work closely with all areas of the business and across all projects being developed by Etchea Energy, most notably the MaresConnect Interconnector Project MaresConnect The Legal Director will be a key member of the Management Team, working alongside the Development Director to support the CEO, and providing strategic advice and support.
* The Legal Director will lead across all legal workstreams, with a particular focus on EPC procurement and construction contracts, planning, land acquisition, financing (private equity and debt) and grid connections. The Legal Director will be responsible for day to day legal functions, including corporate governance and legal compliance across the business and development projects.
Your Role
:
Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
General Support
* Advising and manage external legal counsel assisting with providing advice on legal issues. Managing external legal counsel budget and delivery across all development workstreams, with a focus on UK and Ireland. Controlling legal spend by managing scope, quality, and budget of external legal work.
* Providing legal advice to project teams in respect of interconnector projects under development.
* Key focus areas:
* Overall responsibility for day to day legal functions, including corporate governance and legal compliance.
* Advising on legal risk, compliance, and company obligations under contract and law.
* Providing input into internal policies and governance processes to ensure legal best practice. Supporting with corporate governance activities;
* Leading legal aspects of EPC procurement process for the MaresConnect Interconnector project, including evaluation of legal tender responses, supporting risk assessment of contract positions, negotiation of construction, maintenance and repair and other supporting contracts.
* Supporting on regulatory processes, applications and legal issues. Particularly in relation to Cap and Floor regulation for interconnection in the UK and Ireland.
* Supporting with land acquisition, planning and permitting processes.
* Providing legal input on finance matters, including private equity investment and project finance.
* Supporting the negotiation and review of finance-related documentation such as investment agreements and loan agreements.
* Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of commercial and project-related agreements, including frameworks, procurement agreements, and consultant appointments; real estate agreements, including option agreements, purchase agreements, lease agreements and easements; and consultancy agreements, NDAs, MOUs, and heads of terms.
Education, Work Experience & Qualifications
:
* Qualified solicitor in England and Wales or Scotland (or equivalent jurisdiction).
* 6+ years' post-qualification experience (PQE), ideally gained in a combination of private practice and in-house roles.
* Strong background in energy, infrastructure, or construction law, including experience with project development and commercial contracts. Experience with project financing and/or regulatory processes (in particular, Cap & Floor regulation) highly beneficial.
* Experience advising on the legal aspects of project structuring, delivery and stakeholder relationships.
Skills & Attributes
:
* Commercial Acumen – Ability to apply legal knowledge in a pragmatic and solution-oriented way that aligns with commercial objectives.
* Strong Communicator – Clear written and verbal communication; confident working with colleagues at all levels, including senior stakeholders.
* Contractual Expertise – Advanced contract drafting and negotiation skills, with high attention to detail and risk awareness.
* Collaborative Working Style – Proactive team player who builds effective working relationships across functions.
* Resilience and Judgement – Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing priorities.
* Ethical and Professional – Maintains integrity, confidentiality, and a strong ethical compass in all aspects of work