Project Development Counsel

EDP Renewables; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

EDP Renewables in Houston seeks a Real Estate Counsel to provide legal real estate guidance to the Development and Operations teams, draft and review project documents, and negotiate with landowners while ensuring compliance with laws and company policies.

The role includes supervising Real Estate Paralegals, managing title reports and surveys, and supporting project finance through due diligence and contract work.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate.
• 7+ years in real estate handling title insurance, escrow, and power project matters including purchase and sale agreements, options, land leases and easements, financing documents, title insurance policies, general liability policies, land surveys, and related litigation.
• Licensed to practice law in Texas.
• Experience representing developers and owners in power project matters preferred.
• Proficient in SAP and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); some Access knowledge.
• Analytical problem solving, strong communication, and tech aptitude.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal expertise and support for real estate documents for wind and solar projects.
• Assist with developing, reviewing, and changing real estate terms as needed.
• Supervise paralegals in preparing options, purchase agreements, leases, easements, and related documents.
• Negotiate and complete real estate contracts with landowners and attorneys.
• Coordinate due diligence timelines and review title reports and land surveys.
• Review title policies and respond to diligence questions for project financing.
• Approve documents for execution per company policies; manage external resources as needed.

Skills

Legal expertise

Real estate law

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Travel readiness

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

EDP Renewables is a global leader in the renewable energy sector and the fourth-largest wind energy producer. With a sound development pipeline, first-class assets, and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years and is currently present in 28 markets.

Our company is part of EDP, a global energy group present in around 30 markets with a particular emphasis on renewable energies. With more than 45 years of experience, we have been consolidating a relevant presence on the world energy scene based on the commitment to be all-green by 2030, leading the energy transition. With more than 13,000 employees around the world, we are committed to using our energy and heart to drive a better tomorrow.

What you will do

Role Overview:

The Real Estate Counsel will provide legal real estate advice to the Development and Operations team, prepare and review project real estate documents, and assist with negotiations with landowners while ensuring that all pertinent legal regulations and Company policies are complied with. You will also supervise Real Estate Paralegals as assigned by the Associate General Counsel.

Main responsibilities:

• Provide legal expertise and support to staff in the development, preparation, execution, and administration of real estate documents for wind and solar power projects
• Assist the General Counsel and Associate General Counsel with developing, reviewing, and recommending changes to legal aspects of real estate documents as needed
• Prepare and supervise paralegals’ preparation of real estate documents including but not limited to options, option memoranda, purchase and sale agreements, leases, lease memoranda, easements, easement memoranda, assignments, notices of exercise, escrow letters, affidavits, proforma policies and subordination agreements
• Participate in the negotiation and completion of various real estate agreements and other contracts including communicating with landowners and their attorneys regarding the execution of real estate documents
• Prepare checklists and timelines to coordinate real estate due diligence of purchase and sale activities
• Supervise Real Estate Paralegals in their review of title reports, preparation of title schedules to satisfy title requirements, proforma policies, review of land surveys, obtaining of reports from title companies, resolving title issues, and performance of their other job responsibilities
• Review pro forma title policies and land surveys and respond to real due diligence questions in connection with project financing
• Assist with document compliance by preparing document summaries as requested
• Approve real estate documents for execution in accordance with Company policies and procedures
• Manage external legal resources as assigned to ensure efficient and effective completion of tasks
• Additional duties as required

Minimum Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate
• 7+ years in real estate handling title insurance, escrow, and power project legal matters including purchase and sale agreements, options, land leases and easements, operating and administration agreements, financing documents, title insurance policies, general liability policies, land surveys, and general litigation
• Licensed to practice law in the state of Texas
• Experience representing developers and owners in all aspects of power project legal matters preferred
• Proficient knowledge of SAP and Microsoft Office software (particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); some knowledge of Microsoft Access preferred
• Competency in Analytical Problem Solving, Strong Communication, Customer/Partner Relationships, and Technology Expertise preferred

Travel:

Up to 10%

Behavioral Requirements:

• Solid background in reviewing title reports and land surveys, including resolving title defects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including solid drafting skills
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to travel as needed
• Strong coaching, mentoring, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to be self-motivated
• Must have high energy i.e. work quickly and produce quality of work over long periods of time
• Ability to produce and prepare high volume of documents
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment
• Strong IT skills with a variety of programs such as Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Must be comfortable working with a diverse group of individuals
• Exemplary standards of integrity, honor, safety, management, ethics, quality, efficiency, and productivity

Physical demands & working conditions:

• Sitting/Standing/Flexibility: Ability to stand and sit for 8 or more hours when in an office environment
• Reading: Ability to read and write English proficiently. Ability to interpret, deliver, and follow a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form
• Lifting: Ability to lift items weighing up to 10 pounds
• Vision/Hearing: Ability to interpret and follow a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form
• Speech: Ability to interpret, deliver, and follow a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form; fluent English verbal and written communication skills
• Safety: Ability to understand and communicate safety precautions when necessary

More than academic knowledge and technical skills, we are looking for ambitious people who are enthusiastic about the future and who bring human skills aligned with our purpose.

Equal opportunities for all

Our vision is that each person combines their unique characteristics and experiences to fulfill our mission of creating new energy for the planet. We are an inclusive employer, ensuring all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process. We welcome and value all people, and we are committed to fostering a sense of belonging for each person who is part of the EDP group.

Our efforts have resulted in several distinctions over time, highlighting the EDP group's strong positioning and its dedication and commitment to attracting and retaining the best talent:
Top employer certification by Top Employers Institute
Part of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index
Global certification as a family-responsible company by Fundación Másfamília
Top 100 Workplaces by Houston Chronicle