Senior Legal Counsel – Sole Counsel (Energy & Infrastructure)

SUMMARY
A rare opportunity for a Senior Legal Counsel / In-House Lawyer to join a global energy services group as Sole Counsel for Australia, supporting a newly acquired power services business operating at the forefront of Australia’s energy transition. Reporting to an international Legal Director and partnering closely with the local leadership team, this role offers broad exposure across commercial contracts, compliance, corporate governance and legal risk in a growing infrastructure and energy services environment. This permanent role may be based in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth and offers the opportunity to establish and lead the in-house legal function locally while collaborating with a global legal team.

THE COMPANY
This organisation is a European-headquartered energy and technical services group employing over 50,000 people across more than 20 countries. In Australia, the business provides operations and maintenance services for power generation and energy infrastructure, supported by a team of hundreds of technicians and engineers. Its clients include utilities, government entities, and infrastructure investors, positioning the business at the centre of major developments in Australia’s evolving energy and infrastructure landscape.

THE ROLE
This role acts as the sole in-house legal adviser for the Australian operations. You will support the organisation across a wide range of commercial, operational and regulatory matters, working closely with Australian management and international legal colleagues.
Key responsibilities include:
• Providing practical legal advice across the Australian business on commercial, operational and regulatory matters, including in relation to power generation and energy infrastructure services
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, including operations and maintenance agreements, supply contracts, subcontractor arrangements and project documentation
• Supporting post-acquisition integration, including contract novations, governance changes and alignment with global legal policies
• Managing disputes, claims and legal risk arising from service delivery and coordinating external counsel where required
• Overseeing corporate governance and compliance for Australian entities, including board documentation and regulatory obligations
• Acting as a trusted business partner to senior leadership, supporting tenders, commercial decision-making and risk management
• Collaborating with the global legal team while operating with significant autonomy as Sole Counsel in Australia

ABOUT YOU
You are a senior commercial lawyer with strong experience in complex contracting and the ability to operate as a trusted in-house adviser within a commercially driven business.
You will likely bring:

• 8+ years’ PQE with a strong background in commercial contracts and corporate advisory
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex agreements including O&M, EPC and long-term services contracts
• Sector exposure in energy, power generation, infrastructure, resources or industrial services
• Experience advising on corporate governance, compliance and legal risk within a commercial organisation
• The ability to work directly with senior operational stakeholders and provide practical, commercially focused legal advice
• A highly organised and self-directed approach, with the capability to operate effectively as sole legal counsel while engaging with international legal colleagues

ON OFFER
• Competitive remuneration package of up to $250K p.a. inc super
• Permanent Sole Counsel role within a global energy services organisation
• Flexible location — role may be based in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Direct reporting line to an international Legal Director and close engagement with senior leadership
• Exposure to major energy infrastructure and transition projects in a growing sector

WHY APPLY?
This role will appeal to senior lawyers seeking:

• A rare Sole Counsel position leading the in-house legal function in Australia for a global business
• Broad exposure across commercial contracts, governance, compliance and legal risk
• A strategic business-facing legal counsel role working directly with senior leadership
• Involvement in complex energy infrastructure and power generation projects
• A global organisation with strong growth linked to the energy transition sector
• Autonomy combined with support from an experienced international legal team

NEXT STEPS
This role is moving quickly. If this opportunity is of interest, please apply via SEEK.
For a confidential discussion, contact Charlie Smirl at Dovetail Legal Recruitment.