Senior Counsel - Government Contracts & Regulatory Compliance

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced Senior Counsel to help build, scale, and operationalize Zenobē's North America compliance framework for incentive-backed and publicly funded projects.

Our mission is to make clean power accessible. We are passionate about making a positive impact on communities and the environment where we work.

We're designing, financing, building and operating the world's most sophisticated battery systems to enable the take up of more renewable power, electrifying fleets for cleaner air, and providing clean, portable power including repurposed electric vehicle batteries. Our proprietary software and data analysis optimises operational performance for our customers to reduce emissions and costs.

Since we began in 2017, we've raised over £2.7 billion in debt and equity funding and transformed it into >1.2GW of grid-connected batteries live or under contract and c.3,400 electric vehicles supported, including transit buses, school buses and trucks. We have operations in the USA, the UK, Benelux, Australia and New Zealand, with a global headquarters in London.

With offices in Chicago and New York, our rapidly growing company is looking for highly talented and motivated people to join us.

The Opportunity

We are looking to recruit a Senior Counsel - Government Contracts & Regulatory Compliance to help build, scale, and operationalize Zenobē's North America compliance framework for incentive-backed and publicly funded projects, partnering closely with and reporting to the Associate General Counsel, North America. This role sits at the intersection of public funding, electrification infrastructure, construction, and regulated procurement and will play a critical part in enabling growth across incentive‑backed projects.

The ideal candidate brings a blend of top‑tier law firm training and real‑world government or in‑house experience, with the ability to apply complex federal and state regulatory frameworks in a practical, commercially grounded way. This is a unique opportunity to shape a foundational capability at a rapidly scaling clean‑energy company.

While initially scoped as a senior individual contributor role, this position is intentionally designed with future leadership runway. As the compliance framework matures and the business scales, the role is expected to assume increasing ownership, visibility, and cross-functional leadership, subject to performance and organizational needs.

This role can be based in our Chicago office or fully remote.

A Bit About the Day to Day

• Lead legal oversight of federal and state incentive programs, including grants, rebates, tax credits, and performance‑based funding
• Advise on BABA and Buy America requirements and support strategic compliance planning
• Interpret and apply 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) across contracts, subawards, and project structures
• Support compliance for projects involving FTA‑funded programs and agency‑specific domestic preference requirements
• Develop, implement, and maintain a scalable North America compliance framework aligned to federal/state funding landscapes
• Integrate compliance requirements into procurement, contracting, construction, project delivery, and asset‑level activities
• Support drafting and negotiation of compliance‑driven contract terms, including flowdowns, certifications, and reporting obligations
• Monitor federal and state regulatory developments and advise cross‑functional teams on implications for active and pipeline projects
• Work closely with Grants & Funding, Commercial Development, Delivery, and Operations teams on funding eligibility, documentation, and reporting
• Provide training, tools, and guidance to internal teams to ensure consistent application of compliance requirements
• Support external audits, M&A due diligence, and funding‑related verification processes as needed

Health and Safety

• Actively contribute to Zenobe's commitment to health and safety, wellbeing and sustainability by; integrating these principles into daily responsibilities, ensuring a safe and supportive work environment, promoting both the physical and mental health of self and colleagues, and adopting sustainable and energy-efficient practices to minimize environmental impact. By doing so, each employee at Zenobe plays a vital role in fostering a culture that prioritises overall safety, holistic wellbeing, environmental sustainability in our business operations.

A Bit About You

A job with Zenobē Energy means a job with a global market leader focusing on one of the US's most dynamic and fastest growing sectors, gaining exposure to diverse roles and highly experienced partners.

Essential skills

• J.D. and active U.S. bar membership
• 10+ years of relevant experience, ideally spanning BigLaw and government or in‑house roles
• Deep familiarity with federal and state incentive programs
• Experience applying 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) in practice
• Experience with BABAA and Buy America requirements
• Strong understanding of public procurement, infrastructure delivery models, and pass‑through funding requirements
• Experience drafting and negotiating compliance‑driven contract provisions and flowdowns
• Ability to interpret and apply evolving regulations in a clear and commercially practical manner
• Excellent communication, cross‑functional collaboration, and stakeholder‑management skills
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to operate in a fast‑moving environment and manage competing priorities

Desirable competencies

• Experience with FTA‑funded programs, DOT awards, or other agency‑specific domestic preference regimes
• Background in infrastructure, transportation, electrification, or construction
• Experience implementing or scaling compliance frameworks within growth‑stage companies
• Familiarity with grant reporting systems, audit processes, or public‑sector contracting lifecycles
• Demonstrated ability to work in ambiguity and build processes from scratch
• Commercial contract drafting experience; construction or finance experience is a plus.

What will push you

• Incentive and government contract requirements are fragmented, evolving, and program-specific
• Projects involve multiple delivery models, requiring nuanced, fact-dependent compliance analysis
• There are no true templates-compliance must be tailored without slowing execution
• Risk spans funding clawbacks, audit exposure, reputational impact, and future eligibility
• The compliance function must be built in parallel with active projects, not in a greenfield environment

Who thrives in this role

• Senior lawyers with BigLaw training plus government or sophisticated in-house experience
• Builders who are comfortable designing structure in ambiguity
• Advisors who translate regulatory complexity into operational guidance
• Lawyers with sound judgment who can deliver risk-calibrated advice under time pressure

For Ilinois / NYC Compensation Description (annually)

Please note that the base salary range is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location.

Base pay is one part of the total package that is provided to compensate and recognise employees for their work and any role at Zenobē, regardless of the location, is eligible for additional discretionary bonuses.

Base salary per annum:

$200,000 - $250,000

Our Benefits

We have an open, honest and trusting culture here at Zenobe. Apart from the unparallel opportunity to be at the forefront of the Net Zero revolution we are proud of the culture we have built. Here is what we can offer when you join the Zenobe community;

• At Zenobe we all work hard and go the extra mile so it's important to rest and regenerate with 20 days holiday which increases after 5 years' service
• 401k Scheme - Up to 4% matching
• Excellent opportunities for personal growth and responsibility plus a training budget
• Up to 33% performance related bonus
• Health, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance (We offer 3 Robust medical plans including one that's 100% employer-paid coverage for employees and 75% paid for the dependents/spouse)
• Refer a friend bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits
• Flex commuter programme

Our Approach to Diversity and Inclusion

Zenobe is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment which is as representative as possible of our society. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership pregnancy /maternity, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, political beliefs and sexual orientation. Our culture values meritocracy, openness, fairness, and transparency.