Senior Commercial Lawyer

Job Description

Senior Commercial Lawyer

Reference: R0050096

Legal, Regulation, Compliance & Corporate Affairs - Dublin Based

Specific Purpose contract (maternity leave cover)

Reporting to: Head of Legal, Bord Gáis Energy

Bord Gáis Energy generates, sells and trades energy for use in the Republic of Ireland. We’ve been in operation since 1976 and today we supply over 700,000 customers with energy in Ireland. In 2014 we became part of Centrica plc. We are a progressive company with a reputation for experience and expertise in the energy market, and are committed to ensuring that all of our activity is aimed at benefiting and serving our customers.

Our work has never been more important, as we collaborate with government, internal and external stakeholders and customers to navigate short-term affordability challenges in the longer-term context of transitioning to net zero. Our assets and trading businesses are at the forefront of these challenges, managing, developing and deploying the technology to reduce emissions whilst ensuring there is enough power and gas to keep the lights on. We now have an opportunity for a Senior Commercial Lawyer to act as the lead conduit with these businesses. The work will be varied, high value and have a direct impact on Ireland’s journey to net zero.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, energy, commercial or projects lawyer to develop in-house expertise and drive change within an energetic and exciting business. As a member of a small team, there will also be multiple opportunities to develop the broad legal skillset which underpins a successful in-house career.

About the Role

• This role is a broad commercial position with a focus on balancing the need for clear and pragmatic commercial advice while ensuring compliance with the laws and regulations governing the purchase and supply of energy, as well as the development and management of key energy assets. This includes in particular:
  • supporting our trading team in buying and trading power and gas for supply to our customers, whether residential or large business customers
  • assisting our upstream business development team in securing agreements with new renewable generators; and
  • partnering with our assets team, who manage our power station at Whitegate and assisting with the development of new power stations being constructed by our majority owned joint venture Greener Ideas Limited
• Much of the work will involve structuring, drafting, negotiating and reviewing contracts (standard and non-standard) of major impact to Bord Gáis Energy including system service agreements, operation and maintenance agreements, gas sales agreements, hedging agreements, power purchase agreements, green energy initiatives and collateral arrangements
• More generally, you will assist the businesses in managing operational and regulatory risks, including the development and delivery of key policies, training and guidance to the business to better manage legal risk
• As we are a small legal team, there will be other opportunities to branch out into other advisory areas and we actively encourage our team members to develop the breadth of their knowledge
• You will be dealing directly with the senior business stakeholders from “day 1”, developing strong stakeholder relationships to promote the delivery of objectives and the management of risk
• For major strategic and specialist areas of work, you will manage and liaise with external legal advisors
• As a senior lawyer within a wider legal, regulatory and corporate affairs function, you will work with supporting other members of the team in their development

About You

• Professionally qualified lawyer with practising certificate in Ireland (or eligible to obtain).
• A minimum of 5 years post qualification experience with in-house experience an advantage.
• Highly strategic legal outlook and commercially savvy lawyer with experience of dealing with complex and high profile matters in a challenging, fast paced environment.
• Experience in commercial contracts with a working knowledge of company law is essential. Experience in the energy sector including power purchase or other trading agreements is highly desirable.
• Experience of major projects and their financing would be an advantage.
• Ability to proactively upskill in areas of new laws and regulation that impact Bord Gáis Energy and its business units.
• Ability to assess risk and deliver advice in a pragmatic manner, taking into account the wider regulatory framework and commercial drivers.
• Experience and knowledge of the wholesale energy markets would be beneficial.
• Skilled at building constructive relationships with senior business leaders in challenging environments.

Bord Gáis Energy are committed to placing equality, diversity, care and respect at the heart of our policies and everyday practices. We encourage everyone to take part in our active employee networks, including the Women's network, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, & Cultural Heritage) network, Neurodiversity network, and BRÓD, our LGBTQ+ network. We're proud of the work our networks and allies do to help us promote a culture of inclusion, empowering our colleagues to be themselves and do their best work. Our vision is to employ a diverse mix of people who reflect the societies we work in and the customers we serve, so we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives.

Our Flexible First working model empowers our people to find a better balance between home and office working. You can enjoy the convenience of working from home combined with time spent onsite in a way that works for you, our customers, and our business. Our office is used as a place to connect and collaborate with colleagues, rather than your default place of work each day.

Here in Bord Gáis Energy we’re helping to create a more sustainable and inclusive future that supports our communities, our planet – and each other. The prevention of family homelessness in Ireland is an area where we believe we can make a real difference and through our partnership with Focus Ireland, we have been working on making this a reality since 2015. We encourage all colleagues to get involved in the partnership, with everyone receiving 2 days' volunteering leave to participate in initiatives or events supporting Focus Ireland.

Our Values

care | delivery | collaboration | agility | courage

The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is 6 December 2023.

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE by hitting the 'Apply' button.

Applications will ONLY be accepted via the ‘Apply’ button.

This role is being handled by the Centrica recruitment team and NO agency contact is required.