Sole Legal Counsel | £70,000–£75,000
London (hybrid) | 18-month FTC (Maternity Cover)
An opportunity to hold sole responsibility for a company's entire legal function, reporting directly to the CEO.
We're recruiting a Sole Legal Counsel for a growing, independent power company that develops and operates renewable and thermal energy assets across sub-Saharan Africa. The current Legal Counsel is going on maternity leave, and this role will be the only legal presence in the business for the duration, working closely with a close-knit team of stakeholders.
This isn't a supporting role. You'll lead on the full spectrum of the company's legal work, including:
- Drafting, negotiating and managing corporate and finance documentation, including facility agreements, PPAs, SPAs, shareholders' agreements, term sheets and NDAs
- Leading on M&A transactions and instructing and managing external counsel where needed
- Overseeing the commercial contract lifecycle across the business, from initial drafting through to renewal and renegotiation
- Advising on corporate governance, regulatory and compliance matters, including preparing papers for quarterly board meetings
- Providing day-to-day legal support on employment, insurance, data protection and general risk matters
- Advising directly on legal and commercial issues arising from the company's project development and construction activity, which makes up around 40% of the role
- Acting as the first point of contact for legal queries from across the business, and a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior team
The team is small, supportive and genuinely close-knit, with a flat structure and an entrepreneurial, get-stuck-in mentality. People here work across functions rather than in silos, and there's a strong sense of shared purpose in the company's mission to expand access to power across Africa. It's a sociable office too, with regular team events, and colleagues who've been here a long time.
We're looking for:
- 5 to 6 years' PQE, qualified in England & Wales or a Commonwealth jurisdiction
- A corporate/commercial background, ideally with exposure to energy, infrastructure or emerging markets
- M&A experience, and confidence instructing and managing external counsel
- The ability to operate autonomously, without a wider in-house legal team for support
- Availability to start in October 2026 and commit to an 18 month contract.
On offer: a salary of £70,000–£75,000, 25 days' holiday, private medical healthcare, and genuine ownership of a legal function that reports at CEO level.
Hybrid working, with three days a week (Tuesday to Thursday) in the London office.