General Counsel

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC’s) General Counsel is responsible for handling the full range of legal matters involving the MassCEC. The General Counsel will report to the CEO and advise senior management and the Board of Directors, as well as managing MassCEC’s in-house legal team and outside legal advisors. The General Counsel will provide advice on the full range of MassCEC legal matters, including clean energy legal, regulatory and policy matters, contracting and procurement, and other general legal matters related to the activities of MassCEC and its employees. In addition, an important aspect of the role will be advising on and overseeing a wide variety of commercial relationships, from debt and equity investments in emerging companies to contracts with multi-national manufacturing companies. The General Counsel will also provide advice and support for clean energy project development activities including permitting and real estate transactions. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to quickly assimilate new information, act prudently and think creatively under high pressure and tight deadlines, and operate efficiently in an entrepreneurial environment.

This position will work closely with other senior management and report to the CEO.

Job Duties

Advise the Board, CEO, CFO and other senior management on all aspects of corporate governance and compliance, including statutory requirements, corporate bylaws, ethics and open meetings law, employment and HR matters and confidentiality policies.

Act as liaison to federal, state and local agencies as needed regarding legal and/or policy coordination.

Support MassCEC and Commonwealth agencies on energy-related legislative, policy and legal matters.

Oversee all legal matters from each of MassCEC’s divisions, including investments, liquidity events, litigation and disputes, intellectual property, employment, real estate, environmental and permitting, procurement, construction, and general commercial matters.

Oversee and perform legal due diligence for all new equity and debt investments, including working with internal Investments team, external consultants and (as needed) outside counsel.

Develop and ensure compliance with MassCEC policies regarding public records, ethics requirements, confidentiality (including intellectual property export controls), and procurement.

Advise on all legal aspects of MassCEC’s operation of the Marine Commerce Terminal in New Bedford, MA, and the Wind Technology Testing Center in Charlestown, MA, including land acquisition; environmental, zoning and permitting; commercial leasing; and operations.

Oversee all in-house legal matters and manage in-house legal team.

Procure and manage outside counsel as needed.

Other tasks as directed by the CEO.

Position Qualifications

Education:

J.D. from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and an active member in good standing with the Massachusetts Bar;

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

More than 7 years law practice experience

Interest in clean energy technology and a demonstrated aptitude to understand complex and new technologies, systems, innovations and business concepts as well as market opportunities and challenges;

Demonstrated ability to obtain and review complex information and clearly articulate conclusions and associated recommendations;

Ability to and preference for working in a fast-paced, leanly staffed, entrepreneurial environment;

Solution oriented, “get-to-yes” problem-solver with a proven ability to think creatively about responsibly managing risk in a dynamic environment;

Extensive experience working with public and private sector stakeholders; experience working with state energy agencies (EOEEA, DOER, DPU, DEP);

Excellent oral and written communication skills; and

Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), as a quasi-public entity, plays a critical role in fostering the success of our state’s clean energy sector. MassCEC actively supports the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to addressing Massachusetts’ energy challenges, maintaining national leadership in clean energy, and meeting the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act.

MassCEC undertakes targeted programmatic initiatives to accelerate cost reductions in clean energy, help consumers diversify their energy choices and address evolving energy needs, leverage public and private funds to drive investment into this rapidly-growing sector, and scale-up renewable energy deployment across the state.