Sr. Counsel - Commercial

Tallgrass; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Tallgrass seeks an experienced legal professional to support its power division through drafting, reviewing, and negotiating power purchase agreements (PPAs) and related contracts.

The role requires JD, US bar admission, and 10 years of relevant experience. Travel may be required as part of commercial negotiations and project oversight, with a focus on compliance and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• JD required and must be admitted to practice law in the U.S.
• 10 years of relevant legal experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license (travel).
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and interpretation skills for PPAs and related contracts.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day commercial legal support to the power division as PPAs are executed.
• Draft, review, and negotiate amendments to PPAs and ancillary contracts.
• Interpret PPAs and related requirements, ensure alignment with EPC commitments.
• Attend stakeholder meetings to raise legal considerations and progress milestones.
• Support new business line development to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Assist on project financing due diligence efforts.
• Represent the power division in intercompany agreements and contracts.
• Facilitate outside counsel coordination and oversight.
• Contribute to routine internal and external meetings with customers, investors, and regulators.

Skills

PPA drafting

PPA negotiation

Legal research

Communication skills

Independent work

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Juris Doctor from an accredited institution

Tools

MS Office

Contract management systems

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Provide day-to-day commercial legal support to the power division, as they execute on new power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Primary Purpose

Provide day-to-day commercial legal support to the power division, as they execute on new power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Support the administration of PPAs, including drafting and reviewing relevant notices under the PPAs working closely with the EPC claims attorney to ensure alignment between the EPC and PPA.
• Draft, review, and negotiate any required amendments to the PPAs.
• Provide support on interpretation of the PPAs and the requirements thereunder.
• Attend all stakeholder meetings to ensure legal considerations are raised, and the team is progressing the project to achieve the necessary milestones.
• Assist the team as they stand up a new business line to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and PPAs.
• Support project financing due diligence efforts.
• Represent the power division on any commercial intercompany agreements, e.g., procuring water, natural gas transportation, carbon sequestration, etc.
• Draft, review, and negotiate any necessary ancillary contracts to support the project.
• Draft, review, and negotiate miscellaneous commercial contracts.
• Facilitate and oversee outside counsel.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, other internal meetings and meetings with customers, investors, partners, other third parties, and/or regulators as requested.

Other daily, weekly, monthly or special project duties as identified and defined.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements:

Education

• Juris Doctor from an accredited institution.

Experience/Detailed Knowledge

• Ten (10) years of relevant legal experience
• Intermediate proficiency level in MS Office applications that may include but are not limited to Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

• Must be licensed to practice law in the U.S.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the Company and its insurers (for travel).

Competencies, Skills & Abilities

• Able to work independently and quickly, self-starter, successfully perform multiple tasks and balance competing demanding deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to listen carefully.
• Strong analytical skills and logical thought processes.
• Ability to write clearly and effectively.
• Proficiency with relevant legal research tools.
• Able to work with a team, take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.
• Ability to organize and prioritize daily work.
• Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.
• Deal with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy and professionalism.
• Maintain regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.
• Work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Job level commensurate with experience and skill sets; position will be filled depending on qualifications, experience and skill sets of the successful candidate.

Physical Demands

All of the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting; standing; walking or moving throughout facility; driving; talking; seeing (specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus); hearing; feeling; bending or stooping; squatting or crouching; reaching; kneeling; pushing; pulling; lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions

• Occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.
• The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, including credit report for certain positions, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.

Supervisory Responsibility

None.

About Us

Tallgrass was named one of the Top Workplaces USA and highlighted in Colorado's Top Workplaces for the past seven consecutive years. Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life.

At Tallgrass, we value our teams and strive to create an environment where employees feel respected, and their contributions are valued. We aim to support employees' physical, mental, and financial well-being through a comprehensive Total Rewards Program.

• Industry competitive pay
• Health insurance package options that include Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Infertility Coverage
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately plus an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%
• Wellness Programs and Mental Health Resources
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Vacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer and bereavement paid time off
• Identity theft protection
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Company-paid holidays and floating holidays
• Company vehicle (if applicable)
• Employee discounts; vehicles, tires, cellular plans, and more
• Networking and employee engagement events
• Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests

Application Deadline: Recruiting timelines vary by position; however, all Tallgrass positions accept applications for at least five business days from the posting date. This position is open and still accepting applications.

Compensation: Compensation ranges are provided in good faith based on what we anticipate when researching wages for this position at the state and national levels. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

Notice to External Search Firms: Tallgrass does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Tallgrass property; therefore, Tallgrass will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral. Approved vendors may be invited to refer talent for specific positions at Tallgrass's request only. A fully executed agreement with Tallgrass must be in place and current in these cases.

EEO Statement: Tallgrass complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) affirmative action laws and regulations. Tallgrass does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, or other status protected by law.