Legal Counsel

Are you ready to boost your career in an international and innovative renewable energy company and exercise your legal and business knowledge to support achieve a de-carbonized future? Then read along, as we have an exciting opportunity to join the French Legal, Risk & Compliance team as a Legal Counsel specialized in wind industry!

Vestas Mediterranean (MED) is a Sales Business Unit (SBU) within Vestas Wind Systems, covering wind markets in the South Europe, Africa and Middle East, each corresponding to MED Sub-Regions. The position is primarily for France, dealing mainly with transactions, business and corporate matters in France but will also require, when needed, a thorough involvement in the rest of MED Sub-regions. The Legal Department provides legal advice in relation to the sale and services transactions which include preparing, negotiating and drafting the transactions documents as well as agreements with the different stakeholders to reach the established business goals. Legal issues related to the French entities are also taken care of by the Department, including corporate, procurement, contract management and litigation matters.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Legal France, the key tasks are the following:

• Preparation, negotiation, drafting and finalization of transactional documents (EPCs, Turbine Sales Agreements, Service Agreements) as well as subsequent ancillary documents under such contracts, i.e. parent documentations, lender’s direct agreements, escrow agreements, NDAs, etc.,
• Ensure and provide continuous legal support for issues arising after transactional documents are signed and during execution phase as well as of any potential litigation,
• Provide legal counselling to management with respect to current and future wind sector law & regulations impacts,
• Ensure compliance with national legislations, internal rules and group guidelines, notably in terms of Compliance,
• Take care of corporate matters,
• Ensure that the relevant corporate governance is timely and properly applied along the closing of each transaction,
• Ensure in coordination with the team that:
  • the review process and management of commercial opportunities is applied in adequation with the internal mandates obtained on beforehand by the relevant functions
  • the different tasks for the purpose of the realization of the project be properly allocated and accepted by all stakeholders of the contracting process, and
  • deadlines be fulfilled,
• Develop and implement good contracting practices, including, providing legal awareness training and creating templates and contract policies.

Qualifications and experience

• Master degree in French private business law, or equivalent
• Solid legal educational background handling/analyzing complex transactions especially relating to construction industry or large-scale projects,
• At least 4 years of experience in legal, commercial, and contracting functions with Original Equipment Manufacturers in relation with renewable sector, or specifically in the wind energy industry (or other significant experience with handling large-scale international construction, industrial equipment tools, automotive, etc.),
• The new candidate is innovative and independent, but holds demonstrated stakeholder management skills and experience working in a multinational, matrixed organization,

Competences

• Efficient negotiation skills and capability to deal with intensive negotiation sessions,
• Strong ethical principles and compliance focus,
• Ability to effectively influence and communicate within all levels of a global organization, as well as third parties,
• Ability to prioritize among different urgent matters,
• Ability to examine complex problems and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to recommend adoption of an effective, practical and proper course of action,
• Appetite/specific interest for business related matters and ability to connect the legal dimension with value creation impact,
• General curiosity for renewables, environment, sustainable solutions and their associated products,
• High organizational skills,
• Ability to work under time sensitive environments,
• Proven commitment to continuous self-improvement,
• Flexibility with travel, based on company needs and goals,
• Commercial mindset and interest in learning more about commercial and technical issues,
• Computer literate (MS Office),
• Fluency: French and English, including legal and business terminology.

What we offer

We offer an exciting job with great opportunities for professional and personal development within a growing company in the renewable energy industry.

• You’ll have a great opotunity to shape your own role of Legal Counsel within Vestas as the company is experiencing continuous growth and is continuously adapting the organization to meet the demands from the market,
• Vestas is the world leader in wind energy, offering a progressive & innovative environment, underpinned by a solid safety and ethical culture,
• We highly value initiative, responsibility and the right balance between creativity and quality in all solutions.