Senior Lawyer - Projects

About us

At National Grid, we’re transforming energy networks across the UK and US to meet the demands of the future, with safety at the heart of everything we do.

We’re recruiting a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with significant experience in high-value international energy infrastructure projects to support National Grid Interconnectors. You’ll play a key role in delivering innovative next-generation interconnector development projects.

The role will sit within the NGV Legal team and the candidate will be a core part of the Interconnectors project development.

This hybrid role offers flexibility to work from either our Warwick office and The Strand, London, as well as from home.

What you'll do

• Development of key project development agreements including initial business development terms (MoUs, cooperation agreements, joint development agreements) through to full joint venture agreements
• Supply chain contract negotiations and drafting across a matrix of contracts which support new NGV interconnector projects (these may include construction agreements utilising industry standard forms);
• Energy regulation and financing advice in the context of new interconnector projects ;
• Risk/project management and governance, contributing to the robust management and governance of project risks and development of investment approval papers and submissions in accordance  
• Alongside strong legal skills, we are looking for a dynamic individual who is passionate about energy and the net-zero ambition and who has the drive to support and enable the business in its ambitions. You will also have commercial awareness of the industry within which National Grid Interconnectors and the wider National Grid group operates.
• You will be a natural and instinctive communicator, able to listen effectively and advise at all levels while using your experience and expertise to develop other members of the Legal team and colleagues in the wider business.
• Responsible for delivering first class legal advice and steering, developing and delivering appropriate commercially focused legal strategy for a wide variety of contractual and commercial arrangements including contractual arrangements for projects, construction asset procurement, outsourcing, IT, IP and other contracts.
• Mitigating legal and commercial risks and agree and implement action plans to address issues to ensure timely delivery of changes or corrective actions.
• Representing NGV Legal at internal meetings where legal support is required including highlighting priority areas requiring the mitigation of legal and commercial risk and agreeing plans to address issues to ensure timely delivery of changes or corrective actions.
• Supporting drafting of briefing notes and investment papers to internal stakeholders (including the National Grid Group Investment Committee) where appropriate.
• Identify and assist with the implementation of continuous improvement to deliver on-going improvements in business performance.
• Manage external counsel to deliver timely drafting and other advice that accurately and effectively implements agreed commercial principles or business strategy to a high standard, within budget and demonstrably driving value for money. This will include building strong working relationships with external counsel.
• Work with other members of NGV Legal and deliver specific expert support in the conduct of commercial disputes and to facilitate external lawyers to deliver timely support to a high standard.
• Deliver insightful and easy to understand presentations and training on relevant commercial/regulatory topics or other topics to drive continuous improvement within both the NGV Legal team and the relevant business units.
• Contribute to ad hoc internal projects within National Grid Legal.
• Use your experience to develop and supervise other members of NGV Legal team on commercial/energy matters.

What you'll need

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with significant experience in energy projects work, acquired in private practice and/or within an in-house legal team (likely to have at least 10 years PQE, although all levels of PQE will be considered if you can show the requisite experience).
• Ideally you will have experience of Construction Law and use of NEC and other standard forms.
• Excellent communicator, also able to listen effectively in a team or business environment and build strong relationships.
• Capable of taking the lead on the development of legal strategy and a credible voice in contributing to overall commercial/operational strategy.
• Effective project manager with ability to lead and deliver high profile and strategic projects with ability to influence through broad range of internal and external contacts.
• Ability to manage and deliver against competing priorities.
• Working knowledge of a European language relevant to National Grid’s interconnector projects would be desirable.

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £95,000 - £107,000 per annum– dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance with on target being 20% (with a maximum of 40%) and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also receive private medical insurance and the option to a full EV company car or cash alternative. Additionally, you will have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

About us

National Grid touches the lives of almost everyone in the UK, with an energy network that stretches across the Atlantic. We’re an international team, and our work underpins the lives of millions of people. Feet forwards, head up, and eyes bright, we’re working hard to create value for people today – and shape the future of energy tomorrow. National Grid Ventures operates a broad mix of energy assets and businesses in the UK and US. We provide competitive products and services for our customers to help accelerate the development of our clean energy future.

 There’s never been a better time to work in energy. It’s a time of opportunity and transformation as we strive to provide a greener, cleaner energy system for the country. We’re looking for people with the skills and enthusiasm to help deliver for our customers today and build an energy network that’s fit for the future. In return we can offer you the chance to make a real impact at work.

More information

The closing date for this vacancy is Tuesday 3rd March at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid reserves the right to remove this advert or close it for further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business need. We are committed to building a workforce so we can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.