Managing Counsel

Qcells USA Corp.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp, a Houston-based leader in turnkey solar and energy storage project development, seeks a Managing Counsel to cover the full EPC contract cycle for turnkey solar, solar-plus-storage, and standalone storage ventures.

You will negotiate EPC, procurement, and service contracts, advise on construction disputes, and support project finance and development teams. Hybrid work in Houston with up to 25% travel is expected.

Qualifications

• 6+ years relevant experience.
• Strong background in commercial contracts.
• EPC experience required.
• Experience in the energy industry required.
• Active Membership in at least one state bar.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary legal counsel for EPC construction projects.
• Draft, review and negotiate EPC and procurement agreements for solar and storage projects.
• Provide legal support to finance, development, construction and operations teams.
• Advise on change orders, notices, force majeure, disputes, and warranty claims.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to develop company policies and best practices.
• Manage external counsel and internal legal staff, including training.

Skills

EPC experience

Commercial contracts

Energy industry

Bar admission

Legal leadership

Education

J.D. or equivalent

Job description

Description

Title: Managing Counsel

Department: Legal

Location: Houston, TX

Supervisor: Assistant General Counsel

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Status: Permanent, Full-time

Work Status: Hybrid

MANAGING COUNSEL

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Houston, TX, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Qcells USA’s complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Development, Module, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.

SUMMARY

Seeking a Managing Counsel to support the EPC team with the entire contract cycle for the construction of turnkey solar, solar plus battery energy storage, and standalone battery energy storage projects. These needs include reviewing, drafting, and effectively negotiating EPC Agreements, both with developers/owners and subcontractors, service contracts, procurement contracts for equipment and materials, and other construction-related agreements. The Managing Counsel will also support the General Counsel in the development and implementation of Company legal strategies and protecting the organization’s legal interest and maintain its operations within the scope established by law. This position reports to the Assistant General Counsel, or another management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position is hybrid, based out of our Houston, TX office, requiring up to 4 days per week in the office. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 25%.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a legal expert and primary legal counsel for all issues arising during the process of constructing turnkey utility scale solar power and battery energy storage projects;
• Structure, draft, review and effectively negotiate EPC Agreements, both with developers/owners and subcontractors, service contracts, procurement contracts for equipment and materials, and other solar, solar plus battery energy storage, or standalone battery energy storage project construction related agreements;
• Provide general legal support to finance, development, construction and operations teams regarding issues in the construction and operation of renewables projects;
• Advise business teams regarding issues that arise during construction, including change orders, notices required under EPC and procurement agreements (e.g., force majeure), potential disputes, and after construction, assistance with warranty claims;
• Influences cross-functional decision-making by collaborating with internal partners and leading multi-disciplinary teams to guide development of company policies and best practices;
• Uses seasoned legal judgment to proactively identify and develop creative solutions to complex problems to help the company achieve its goals and priorities;
• Manages external counsel and coordinates with internal legal team members in delivery of legal services;
• Manages legal support staff and provide leadership, direction, guidance, and training to staff;
• Oversees internal administrative processes to ensure that the needs of the legal team and company as a whole are being met in a timely and professional manner; and
• Manages legal documentation and leads legal team's efforts to draft, update and maintain contractual templates, and improve legal team's internal file organization and document retention strategies;
• Assist with mobilization logistics including per diem, project assignments, and logistics
• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned by Management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 6+ years relevant experience
• Strong background in commercial contracts
• EPC experience required
• Experience in the energy industry required
• Active Membership in at least one state bar

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Top law firm training preferred

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
• Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
• Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
• Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
• Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
• Travel: up to 25% as needed

EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regular professional, office business setting
• Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
• Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)
• Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department

Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations at [e-mail].