Legal Counsel

Smart4 Energy; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 2 000 000 - 2 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A renewable energy company in Gauteng is seeking a Legal Director/Counsel to provide legal support on renewable energy projects. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of in-house experience, strong negotiation skills, and be admitted to practice in a primary jurisdiction. This role offers a competitive salary of R2m to R2.5m plus performance bonus.

Qualifications

• Admitted to practice law in a primary legal jurisdiction.
• 10+ years in house experience within renewable energy.
• 5+ years in managerial or similar role.

Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end legal support on renewable energy projects.
• Advise on project structuring and compliance across jurisdictions.
• Draft and negotiate project-related agreements.

Skills

PPA Agreements

Strong Negotiator

Stakeholder engagement

EPC & OEM Contracts

Education

Bachelor's Degree (Minimum)

Legal practical training course / JD / LLB

Trained at top tier international law firm (or equivalent legal department)

Job description

Are you ready to power the future?

Our client is a rapidly expanding international renewable energy company with a strong global presence and active projects in over 15 countries across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Their mission is to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy through innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence. This is a key hire to support their portfolio across project development, construction, and financing, particularly in emerging markets in Africa, Middle East and Asia.

You will work closely with the business development, construction, and finance teams, providing legal leadership on complex renewable energy projects from inception through to operation.

Position

Legal Director / Legal Counsel

Location

Gauteng, Johannesburg

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (Minimum)
• Legal practical training course / JD / LLB
• Trained at top tier international law firm (or equivalent legal department)
• Admitted to practice law in a primary legal jurisdiction
• 10+ years in house experience within renewable energy
• 5+ years in managerial role / similar role

Salary

R2m to R2.5m ex performance bonus

Skills

• PPA Agreements
• Strong Negotiator
• Stakeholder engagement
• EPC & OEM Contracts

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide end‑to‑end legal support on renewable energy and energy transition projects (solar, wind, battery storage, green hydrogen, etc.)
• Advise on project structuring, risk allocation, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of project‑related agreements, including Power Purchase Agreements, Engineering, Procurement & Construction Contracts and Operation & Maintenance Agreements.
• Experience of finance documents is also advantageous.
• Support project finance transactions, including liaising with lenders, DFIs, and co‑developers.

If you're a driven Legal professional ready to make a significant impact in a leading renewable energy organization, we want to hear from you.