Managing Associate / Legal Director - Energy - Exeter - 6+ PQE

Chadwick Nott - South West and South Wales; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High-quality energy work

Career progression to seniorLeadership

Flexible and hybrid working

Collaborative environment

Business development opportunities

Exposure to major energy projects

Ongoing professional development

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Chadwick Nott is recruiting a Managing Associate / Legal Director to join a leading UK energy practice in Exeter. You will advise on complex renewable energy and infrastructure projects while helping grow the team.

The role offers hybrid working, senior-level exposure, and opportunities to develop client relationships, with a salary range in the £85,000–£120,000+ DOE bracket.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years' PQE in commercial, energy or infrastructure work.
• Strong experience in energy-sector contracts and renewable projects.
• Experience advising a broad client base from startups to large corporates.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and client management skills.
• Ability to build long-term client relationships and contribute to marketing.

Responsibilities

• Advise on a broad range of commercial energy matters.
• Deal with PPAs, CfDs, grid connections and energy regulation.
• Draft and negotiate complex energy contracts for generators and offtakers.
• Support business development and client relationship growth.
• Lead due diligence for funding and refinancing transactions.
• Mentor junior lawyers and contribute to team expansion.

Skills

Energy law

Commercial contracts

Client relationships

Negotiation

Drafting

Education

Solicitor with 7+ PQE

Job description

Managing Associate / Legal Director - Energy - Exeter - 6+ PQE

Location: Exeter

Type of Role: Permanent, Full-time (with flexible and hybrid working)

Salary: £85,000 to £120,000+ DOE

A leading UK law firm is seeking an experienced Managing Associate or Legal Director to join its highly regarded Energy team. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior Energy lawyer looking to play a key role in the growth of an established practice, advising on complex renewable energy and infrastructure projects while developing client relationships and contributing to the continued expansion of the team.

The Role

You’ll be responsible for advising clients across a broad range of commercial energy matters, including:

• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for generators and offtakers
• Electricity, gas, storage and heat regulatory and licensing matters
• Heat supply agreements
• Feedstock agreements, including energy-from-waste and biogas projects
• Asset management agreements
• Framework contracts
• Contracts for Difference (CfDs)
• Grid connection and connection works agreements
• Optimisation agreements
• Operational and management arrangements for energy projects
• Due diligence reporting for funding, refinancing and secondary market transactions
• Advising developers, investors, funders and energy businesses on sustainable energy projects
• Supporting business development, networking and marketing initiatives

Candidate Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years' PQE gained within a Commercial, Energy or infrastructure team
• Strong experience advising on energy-sector commercial contracts and renewable energy projects
• Experience acting for a broad range of clients, from high-growth businesses through to large corporates and investors
• Excellent technical drafting, negotiation and client management skills
• Strong commercial awareness and pragmatic problem-solving abilities
• A proven ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships
• Experience contributing to marketing initiatives, seminars and business development activities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational and project management capabilitiesThe ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure
• A collaborative and proactive approach to work
• High levels of professionalism, confidentiality and integrity

Benefits

• High-quality work on innovative renewable energy and infrastructure projects
• Genuine opportunities for career progression to senior leadership level
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• A collaborative and supportive working environment
• Business development and profile-building opportunities
• Exposure to nationally significant energy projects
• Ongoing professional development and training
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

The firm is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Adjustments to the recruitment process can be made to support individual needs.

*At Chadwick Nott, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture as well as supporting our large client network achieve the same. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications of all qualified candidates regardless of their age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, disability, culture or anything other personal characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity in the workplace. Where a level of experience is indicated, please note that this is only a guideline.*