Assistant General Counsel

Overview

RWE Americas, LLC is hiring a full-time, permanent Assistant General Counsel in the Legal/Compliance functional area. The position is exempt and provides legal support to the U.S. renewable energy business team (wind, solar, and battery) in connection with the development and construction of projects across the United States, as determined by management.

• Provide legal advice related to real estate, permitting, and land use for energy projects, including:
  • reviewing, drafting, and negotiating lease agreements, easements, purchase options, co‑tenancy agreements, shared facilities agreements, crossing agreements, and permitting agreements;
  • comprehensive review of title commitments and project surveys to resolve title and survey issues and negotiate title insurance policies;
  • identifying permitting and land‑use needs to ensure timely acquisition of all required permits and approvals across multiple jurisdictions;
  • coordinating with business stakeholders, functional teams, and local, state, and federal agencies on permitting, land use, and zoning matters.
• Provide legal support on real estate and permitting topics related to acquisition, divestiture, or other strategic transactions from inception through closing, including review of transaction documents, purchase agreements, disclosure schedules, and ancillary contracts.
• Manage and oversee external real estate and permitting counsel to ensure cost‑effective and timely support for energy projects.
• Coordinate with senior business stakeholders to align project timelines, legal risks, and contract milestones for timely delivery of energy projects.
• Manage legal due diligence, identify legal risks and liabilities, and provide practical recommendations to mitigate risks.
• Contribute to internal process improvements, templates, and legal best practices to streamline efficiency.
• Collaborate, delegate to, and mentor junior counsel, paralegals, real‑estate specialists, and administrative staff on drafting standards and legal processes.
• Understand how real‑estate, permitting, and land‑use risks fit into the overall project lifecycle and risk review, including interconnection, energy marketing, environmental, regulatory, and procurement considerations.

• J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree from a U.S. university.
• Admission to a state bar in the United States.
• Minimum 6 years of experience developing energy projects or similar experience, with specific legal knowledge and experience in energy project development and real‑estate matters. Preferably experience in energy transmission, interconnection agreements, negotiation of tax abatement agreements, conditional use permits, and special use permits.
• Industry experience in U.S. energy‑related businesses, especially legal work associated with development, construction, and operation of energy or independent power projects.
• The foregoing requirements are subject to change. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply or reapply for available positions; hiring managers may consider applicants with greater or lesser experience.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑management skills, ability to work effectively with internal teams, external counsel, title companies, surveyors, utilities, and counter parties.
• Highly organized, capable of coordinating multiple projects, managing competing priorities, and ensuring timely achievement of critical real‑estate and permitting milestones.
• Adaptable and effective in rapidly changing environments.
• Demonstrated desire to learn about the Company.
• Goal‑oriented, resourceful, with strong problem‑solving skills and ability to identify practical solutions to complex real‑estate and permitting challenges.
• Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds.
• This position is office‑based in either Chicago or Austin, with some travel and visits to other RWE Americas offices and field locations, including New York, California, Chicago, and Austin.
• Must be…