Senior Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, Environmental and Sustainability Policy & Strategy

Korn Ferry; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

10% bonus

Equity eligible

Comprehensive benefits (health, dental

Job summary

Korn Ferry, partnering with a renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company, seeks a Senior Counsel to lead environmental policy strategy and carbon market initiatives. The role reports to the General Counsel and influences commercial strategy, regulatory compliance, and board-level decisions.

The attorney will translate complex regulatory developments into actionable business guidance, align sustainability claims with market opportunities, and advocate for policy outcomes across federal,

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school with active Colorado bar membership.
• 15+ years of progressively senior environmental policy experience, including carbon markets.
• Experience advising commercial teams on how policy and carbon markets shape market opportunities and contracts.
• Knowledge of U.S. and international low-carbon fuels frameworks and carbon market standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal and policy strategy across environmental regulation and sustainability.
• Advise cross-functional teams on how policy impacts product strategy and contracts.
• Engage regulators, industry groups, and standards bodies; lead technical comments and white papers.
• Represent the company in policy advocacy and carbon market initiatives.

Skills

Environmental policy

Carbon markets

Policy-to-business translation

Regulatory frameworks knowledge

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Active bar membership in good standing (Colorado or eligible to waive)

Job description

Korn Ferry has partnered with a renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company on a confidential search for a Senior Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, Environmental and Sustainability Policy & Strategy.

The Company

The company sits at the intersection of renewable fuels, carbon, and agriculture. They value inquisitive questions, innovation and achieving the impossible.

The Role

Reporting to the General Counsel, this senior environmental policy attorney will lead legal and policy strategy across environmental regulation, sustainability, low-carbon fuels, and carbon markets. This role serves as a key advisor to Commercial, Carbon Business, Government Relations, Compliance, executive leadership, and the Board.

The role is designed for an attorney who can connect policy, law, commercial strategy, and market opportunity. The successful candidate will help translate complex regulatory and carbon market developments into clear business guidance on product positioning, customer strategy, deal structure, pricing, sustainability claims, and market entry.

A major focus of the position is protecting and growing the company’s carbon abatement and sustainability value. The attorney will advise on policy frameworks and market mechanisms tied to sustainable aviation fuel, carbon removal, renewable natural gas, ethanol, specialty fuels, low-carbon fuel standards, voluntary and compliance carbon markets, sustainability certifications, and related registry standards.

This person will also play an external-facing advocacy role, tracking and influencing federal, state, and international environmental and sustainability policy. Responsibilities include leading technical comments, advocacy papers, and white papers, as well as representing the company in industry associations, working groups, and standards bodies focused on renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, carbon markets, sustainability certification, and carbon removal.

Required

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; active bar membership in good standing (Colorado bar or eligibility to waive in).
• Minimum 15 years of progressively senior experience in environmental policy, with substantive experience in carbon markets and/or carbon market policy (compliance and voluntary).
• Demonstrated experience advising commercial or business teams on how policy and carbon markets shape market opportunity, product design, and contract structure.
• Working knowledge of U.S. and international low-carbon fuels frameworks (e.g., RFS, LCFS, 45Z, CORSIA, EU RED, ETS) and voluntary carbon market standards (e.g., Verra, Gold Standard, Puro, Isometric, ICVCM).
• Track record of influencing policy outcomes through technical comments, coalition leadership, and direct regulator engagement.

Preferred

• Experience in SAF, biofuels, CCS/BECCS, RNG, or carbon dioxide removal sectors.
• Prior engagement with EPA, CARB, USDA, DOE, FAA, ICAO, or the European Commission.
• Familiarity with LCA frameworks (GREET, CA-GREET, CORSIA methodologies) sufficient to engage credibly with the technical team.
• Experience with sustainability certification standards.

Compensation:

Base compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience with an expected range of $225,000 - $250,000 annually. Offers a hybrid work environment, 10% bonus, equity eligible and a comprehensive benefits package including 100% employer paid premiums for health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance for employee and family, paid time off, annual bonus(es), 401K.

Location:

Denver, Colorado/Hybrid/Fully Remote