Our client, a leading cloud provider and AI hyperscaler in an exciting stage of hyper-growth, is looking to hire a strategic and sophisticated energy attorney to serve as Deputy General Counsel, Energy. This attorney will report directly to the General Counsel and will operate as a hands-on, business-embedded legal partner, working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to structure and execute high-impact transactions in a fast-moving, technically sophisticated environment.
The DGC, Energy will support the company’s rapidly scaling global data center and cloud infrastructure offerings for the global market. This role will lead complex commercial power and related infrastructure transactions that enable the deployment and operation of hyperscale data centers and high-performance compute environments worldwide, while supporting the company’s growth, speed, and operational excellence. Although this position will focus on the comprehensive breadth of the company’s energy transactions, there will be an emphasis on power procurement.
Responsibilities:
Serve as a trusted legal advisor to C-Level and senior management on power strategy and transactions and solutions critical the company’s global data center, infrastructure, and service offering growth. Advise on energy and power procurement for the company’s growing portfolio of data centers, sourcing of all energy resources, and contracting strategies with counterparties to support high-density compute workloads and data center operations.Lead and negotiate complex power agreements and programs supporting the company’s cloud and data center operations, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), LOI’s, build-to-transfer, renewable energy and other power generation sources, utility service, colocation, interconnection, and other energy infrastructure and development-related contracts and transactions involving the environmental attributes of clean power sources.Negotiate directly with utilities, energy providers, data center operators, contractors, suppliers, and strategic partners across domestic and international geographic markets.Partner closely with internal cross-functional working groups across strategic financing, commercial, data center operations, government affairs, sustainability, real estate, and finance teams to drive strategic infrastructure, energy, and capacity initiatives. Help execute long-term, scalable, cost-effective solutions.Support corporate development and project financing transactions, and help to coordinate legal aspects of energy and power procurement, infrastructure development, global data center construction, and ongoing operations.Provide counsel and support to Government Affairs and other affected teams to understand existing and proposed Public Utility Commission (PUC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Department of Energy (DOE), and, as applicable, international government and agency rules affecting the power sector and data center infrastructure development, and their impact.Lead the effort in developing and coordinating responses to proposed state, local, federal, and international market energy and power rules impacting the company and its global data center operations. Identify and participate in the development of a strategy to mitigate legal, regulatory, and commercial risks to power availability, global data center expansion, and operational continuity.Manage outside counsel, other outside experts, and budgets for specialized energy, infrastructure, and regulatory matters.
Qualifications and Experience:
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.15+ years of experience at a law firm and/or in-house legal department, with significant experience supporting complex cloud infrastructure, data centers, energy and power procurement, and large-scale commercial energy transactions.Expertise in negotiating power purchase agreements and other commercial energy and power transactions.Expertise in and knowledge of State and Federal statutes affecting the power sector, including the Federal Power Act, Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act and the Public Utility Holding Company Act. Knowledge of PUC and FERC rules impacting the power sector and administrative procedures.Knowledge of Independent System Operators and Regional Transmission Groups, including energy and capacity market participation and power markets.Knowledge of transmission, including interconnection and transmission service agreements. Experience with power and energy transactions and regulatory frameworks in international markets (e.g., EMEA, APAC, LatAm, Canada) is a huge plus.Strong background in energy, renewables, electric infrastructure development, and utility regulation, and their relationship with hyperscale cloud and data center infrastructure operations, expansion, and global growth;Experience with emerging technologies such as advanced nuclear and geothermal, and with legislation and regulatory matters affecting such technologies, is a plus.
The company fosters an entrepreneurial, collaborative environment that encourages independent thinking and innovative solutions to complex problems. As the company prepares for takeoff, growth opportunities across the organization continue to expand. You’ll be surrounded by exceptional talent — and they’ll want to learn from you, too.
Compensation for this position consists of a base salary range from $275,000 - $330,000, a discretionary bonus, equity and a comprehensive benefits program (all based on eligibility). The total compensation package will vary and depend on the candidate’s level of seniority, number of years of directly relevant experience, and geographic location.
Solutus has been selected as the exclusive representative on this desirable search. Resumes submitted directed to our client will be forwarded to Solutus for review and evaluation.
Ref. #942-SLS
