Job Description

Clean Energy Construction Senior Associate/Managing Associate

Location: Leeds

Career Level: Senior Associate/Managing Associate 4-8 PQE

Salary: £65,000 - £80,000 + Bonus (dependent on experience)

Join a Leading Clean Energy Construction Team

Are you a talented clean energy construction lawyer looking to join one of the UK's largest and most dynamic clean energy practices? Our client, a nationally recognised law firm with over 1,000 colleagues across 13 offices, is seeking a Clean Energy Construction Senior Associate or Managing Associate with 4-8 years' PQE to join their busy and expanding team in London.

This is an exceptional opportunity to work on cutting-edge clean energy construction matters including BESS, solar PV, wind, hydro, energy-from-waste, biogas, hydrogen, EV charging infrastructure, and district heating projects. You'll be joining a sector team of approximately 90 lawyers across multiple practice areas, working on high-value transactions for leading clean energy developers, investors, and manufacturers.

The Team

The Clean Energy Construction team is part of a wider clean energy sector group comprising approximately 90 lawyers across the firm's 13 offices, including specialists in real estate, corporate, finance, environment, planning, and dispute resolution. The sector also benefits from a dedicated Professional Support Lawyer (PSL) for clean energy.

The team is led by nationally recognised Partners in Bristol, London, and Leeds, working collaboratively across offices in Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham, and other locations. The team acts for major clean energy developers, investors, manufacturers, and operators on construction, commercial, and transactional matters.

The firm has established itself as a leading adviser in the clean energy sector, with extensive experience across multiple technologies including BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems), solar PV, wind, hydro, energy-from-waste, biogas, hydrogen, EV charging infrastructure, and district heating.

The Role

As a Clean Energy Construction Senior Associate or Managing Associate, you will work directly with the firm's senior clean energy construction and transactional partners across Bristol, London, and Leeds offices. You will be based in the firm's London office.

You will work on a diverse range of clean energy construction and commercial matters, supported by a wider sector team of approximately 90 lawyers across multiple practice areas.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Advising on BESS Supply Agreements (including with major world-renowned BESS manufacturers)

• Drafting and negotiating EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contracts

• Advising on O&Ms (Operations and Maintenance agreements) and LTSAs (Long-Term Service Agreements)

• Negotiating Component Warranties

• Advising on clean energy project developments, acquisitions, and disposals

• Working on construction, commercial, and transactional matters within the clean energy sector

• Advising on projects involving BESS, solar PV, wind, hydro, energy-from-waste, biogas, hydrogen, EV charging infrastructure, and district heating

• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the firm's 13 offices

• Collaborating with specialists in real estate, corporate, finance, environment, planning, and dispute resolution

• Building and developing client relationships within the clean energy sector

• Contributing to business development activities and thought leadership initiatives

• Providing exceptional client service with commercially focused advice

• Staying current with developments in clean energy construction and technology

• Managing your own caseload of clean energy construction matters

• At Managing Associate level: supervising junior lawyers and contributing to team development

About You

Essential Requirements:

• 4-8 years' PQE in construction, commercial, and/or projects experience within the clean energy sector

• Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales

• Strong technical knowledge of construction and commercial contracts

• Experience within the clean energy sector

• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills

• Strong client care skills with ability to build and maintain relationships

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously

• Commercially focused with pragmatic approach to problem-solving

• Team player who thrives in a collaborative multi-office environment

• Commitment to delivering exceptional client service

Also Welcome to Apply:

• Candidates with transactional experience within the clean energy sector

Highly Desirable:

• Experience advising on BESS Supply Agreements (including with major BESS manufacturers)

• Experience drafting and negotiating EPC contracts

• Experience with O&Ms, LTSAs, and Component Warranties

• Experience advising on clean energy project developments, acquisitions, and disposals

• Familiarity with technologies including BESS, solar PV, wind, hydro, energy-from-waste, biogas, hydrogen, EV charging infrastructure, and/or district heating

• Experience working collaboratively across multiple office locations

• Business development experience within the clean energy sector

• At Managing Associate level: experience supervising junior lawyers

Key Attributes:

• Ambitious and driven with desire to progress within the clean energy sector

• Proactive and self-motivated with strong work ethic

• Client-focused with commitment to exceptional service delivery

• Strong team player who works seamlessly across multiple offices

• Commercially astute with excellent problem-solving abilities

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy

• Passionate about clean energy and sustainability

• Ability to manage own caseload independently

• At Managing Associate level: emerging leadership skills

What's On Offer

Our client is committed to recognising and rewarding great work, with rewards and benefits that are among the best in the business.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary: £65,000 - £95,000 (dependent on experience)

• Bonus scheme

• Clear progression pathway with leadership support

• Award-winning firm with national reputation

• Part of a sector team of approximately 90 lawyers across multiple practice areas

• Work on cutting-edge clean energy construction matters

• Diverse technology exposure: BESS, solar PV, wind, hydro, energy-from-waste, biogas, hydrogen, EV charging infrastructure, district heating

• Work with major world-renowned BESS manufacturers and leading clean energy developers

• Collaborative working across 13 UK offices

• Support from dedicated clean energy PSL

• Work with specialists in real estate, corporate, finance, environment, planning, and dispute resolution

• Excellent training and professional development opportunities

• Employee awards programme recognising excellent work

• Strong focus on employee wellbeing

• Inclusive and diverse culture (Gold Investors in People Award, Firm of the Year at UK Diversity Legal Awards)

• Collaborative team environment where everyone's voice is heard

• Modern City of London office with excellent facilities and transport links

• Flexible working arrangements available

About Our Client

Our client is one of the largest full-service law firms in the UK, with over 1,000 colleagues across 13 offices nationwide. Built on solid foundations of integrity, entrepreneurialism, and expertise, the firm has established an award-winning reputation and continues to grow.

The Clean Energy Construction team is part of a wider clean energy sector group comprising approximately 90 lawyers across the firm's 13 offices, including specialists in real estate, corporate, finance, environment, planning, and dispute resolution. The sector benefits from a dedicated Professional Support Lawyer (PSL) for clean energy.

The team is led by nationally recognised Partners across Bristol, London, and Leeds, working collaboratively with team members in Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham, and other locations.

The firm has established itself as a leading adviser in the clean energy sector, with extensive experience across multiple technologies including BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems), solar PV, wind, hydro, energy-from-waste, biogas, hydrogen, EV charging infrastructure, and district heating.

The firm is widely recognised for its inclusive attitude and diversity, winning 'Firm of the Year' at the UK Diversity Legal Awards and achieving Gold in the Investors in People Award.

The firm's values are smart, bold, and together, with a commitment to making a positive change at every touchpoint for colleagues, clients, and communities.

Location

This role is based in the firm's Leeds office, located in the city centre with excellent transport links and access to the capital's amenities. The office offers a modern, professional working environment with a friendly, collaborative team culture.

How to Apply

If you're a talented clean energy construction lawyer with a passion for sustainability and delivering exceptional client service, we'd love to hear from you. Click apply now or contact lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com or 0333 996 2882