Legal Counsel - Corporate, Finance and M&A

Centrica plc; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Centrica plc, Reading based, seeks a Legal Counsel to join the Corporate, Finance and M&A team within LRECS. You will handle complex transactions and smaller investments, gaining exposure to pensions, treasury and commercial matters.

Ideal candidates are England & Wales qualified lawyers with experience in corporate/finance and a proactive, collaborative approach in an in-house setting at a FTSE 100 company.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer registered in England & Wales.
• Experience in corporate and/or finance teams, in private practice or in-house.
• Experience with M&A transactions and corporate financing is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support Group M&A on acquisitions, disposals, equity investments and JVs, including drafting and negotiating transaction documents.
• Provide legal support on pension schemes, treasury matters and governance.
• Manage external counsel relationships and budgeting/billing processes.
• Collaborate with Centrica teams and contribute to knowledge sharing and precedents.

Skills

Corporate law

Finance law

M&A experience

In-house exposure

Negotiation

Education

England & Wales qualified lawyer

Job description

Join us, be part of more.

We’re so much more than an energy company. We’re a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. We're energisers. One team of 21,000 colleagues that's energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities. Here, you can find more purpose, more passion, and more potential. That’s why working here is #MoreThanACareer. We do energy differently - we do it all. We make it, store it, move it, sell it, and mend it.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Counsel - Corporate, Finance and M&A to join Centrica as part of its Legal, Regulatory, Ethics, Compliance and Secretariat (LRECS) function.

The Corporate, Finance and M&A Legal team plays a key role in supporting Centrica's strategy by providing legal advice across:

• M&A transactions, joint ventures and investments within the energy generation, storage, trading and retail sectors.
• General corporate matters.
• The Group's debt financing programme.
• The Group's pension schemes.

The team comprises four lawyers and works closely with the Centrica Leadership Team and the Group M&A, Treasury and Pensions teams, as well as colleagues across the wider business and LRECS function.

Location

This role is full-time and will be based in our Reading head office (from Jan 2027). It can be performed either on-site or through hybrid working where team members are expected to attend the office at least two days per week.

About the role

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your corporate, finance and wider legal expertise within a supportive in-house environment. Working alongside experienced colleagues, you will gain exposure to complex strategic transactions while also taking ownership of a portfolio of smaller investments and matters.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the Group M&A team and business units on acquisitions, disposals, equity investments and joint ventures, including by:
  • assisting with the review, negotiation and drafting of transaction documentation, including share purchase agreements, subscription agreements, shareholders' agreements, disclosure letters and transitional services agreements; and
  • supporting transaction execution, including due diligence, disclosure processes and signing and completion activities.
• Providing legal support to Centrica's portfolio of smaller innovation and investment activities.
• Supporting the Group Treasury team on bank facilities, bond issuances, trade finance facilities, FX and interest rate derivatives and related compliance matters.
• Advising on pensions-related matters, including governance, funding and security arrangements.
• Managing relationships with external counsel and supporting budget and billing processes.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives, knowledge sharing and precedent development within the team.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across Centrica and participating in the wider LRECS community, including on learning, wellbeing, volunteering and inclusion initiatives.

Here’s what we’re looking for

• An England & Wales qualified lawyer with experience gained in corporate and/or finance teams in private practice or through corporate and/or finance work in-house.
  • Energy sector experience is advantageous but not essential.
  • Pensions experience is not essential.
• A strong desire to continue developing your corporate, finance and broader legal skills within an in-house environment.
• The ability to work collaboratively with senior lawyers on larger, more complex transactions whilst progressively taking ownership of your own matters and projects.
• Sound commercial judgement and a practical, solutions-focused approach to legal advice.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain legal issues clearly and concisely.
• A collaborative, proactive approach and flexibility to support transaction activity and business needs as required.

At Centrica, we are committed to investing in our people through a strong focus on wellbeing, inclusion, learning and development. This role offers an excellent opportunity for a lawyer at an early stage of their legal career to further develop their corporate and finance expertise in-house at a FTSE 100 listed company by working, alongside colleagues, on the some of the largest and most innovative corporate and finance transactions in the energy sector while also taking ownership of smaller investments and broadening their experience to pensions and other commercial matters.

We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate the skills, experience and potential required to succeed in the role.

Why should you apply?

We’re not a perfect place – but we’re a people place. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. Life is about so much more than work. We get it. That’s why we’ve designed our total rewards to give you the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, making sure that you and your family are supported not only financially, but physically and emotionally too. Visit the link below to discover why we’re a great place to work and what being part of more means for you.