Managing Counsel - Renewables

Join our Growing Team and see why Summit Utilities, Inc was named as one of the Fastest Growing Denver Area Private Companies 2019 and 2020; Best Places to Work in Maine 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and Best Places to Work in Arkansas 2020 and 2023, Oklahoma 2022 and 2023 and Missouri 2023. Summit was also recently named one of Forbes 2023 America’s Best Small Employers.

Summit is a growing natural gas utility company providing safe, reliable and clean burning natural gas service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri and Oklahoma. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence, diversity and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do.

Peaks Renewables Holdco, LLC (“Peaks” or the “Business”) is a high growth renewables business engaged in developing, owning and operating renewable natural gas and clean hydrogen projects nationally. Peaks is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Summit Utilities, Inc. (“Summit”); in addition to Peaks, Summit’s regulated subsidiaries safely provide reliable natural gas distribution service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence, diversity and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers and the communities where we live.

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Managing Counsel - Renewables with the opportunity to work hybrid from either Little Rock, AR or Portland, ME.

POSITION SUMMARY

Summit’s Legal Department is looking for an experienced attorney with broad legal and leadership skills to join its team to provide direct support to Peaks. Reporting to Summit’s Chief Legal Officer (CLO), this position will work in close partnership with leadership stakeholders and internal business teams to review and draft contracts, lead contract negotiations, and manage the full cycle of Peaks’ legal needs. Experience drafting and negotiating renewable commercial contracts is required. We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working on a vast array of matters on a day-to-day basis.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide day-to-day legal counsel to the Business at all levels, including Peaks and Summit leadership, on a wide variety of legal matters
• Review, draft and negotiate various contracts related to the Peaks business, including: confidentiality, joint development, EPC, offtake, PPA, O&M and services agreements
• Oversee, manage and mentor small internal legal team; engage and manage outside counsel when appropriate
• Legal support for Peaks M&A activities, including legal due diligence
• With Peaks leadership team, establish and implement policies and processes within the Business to ensure compliance, mitigate risk and promote growth
• Provide effective internal support for Peaks working alongside a wide range of shared Summit functions, including regulatory, accounting, finance, operations, procurement and leadership teams
• With the Summit Legal Department, manage Peaks' corporate governance, including supporting Board reporting and entity management
• Serve as a member of the Summit corporate leadership team

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• JD from accredited law school

• Licensed to practice law and in good standing in at least one state bar

• Ten or more years of experience in a law firm, state regulatory agency or in-house setting; renewables development experience preferred

• Solid transactional and management experience is required; experience in real estate law, utility regulation and/or corporate governance a plus

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Demonstrate a business-friendly approach to legal problem solving and providing effective counsel with concise, practical advice and creative solutions
• Self-motivated, self-disciplined and results oriented
• Strong ability to mentor and manage effectively
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including an ability to interface effectively with all levels, understand the concerns and priorities of all company stakeholders and keep stakeholders regularly and timely updated
• Possess a strong desire to learn the Business and new areas of law
• Able to work effectively and cooperatively with all levels of cross-functional colleagues in a geographically dispersed organization
• A proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment, with an excellent ability to set priorities and manage expectations on deliverables and deadlines

Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home.

Summit Utilities, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.