Senior Counsel

Description

Title: Senior Counsel
Department: Legal
Location: Irvine, CA
Supervisor: Assistant General Counsel
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status: Hybrid

SENIOR COUNSEL

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Irvine, CA, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Qcells USA’s complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Module, Development, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells USA is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells USA is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells USA operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.

SUMMARY

Supports the Chief Legal Officer, Assistant General Counsel and Legal Department generally in the development and implementation of legal strategy and protecting the organization’s legal interest and maintaining its operations within the scope established by law. Serves as legal expert and counsel for Qcells USA‘s Development team with a special focus, and as primary expert, on real estate and real property matters. Influences cross-functional decision-making by collaborating with internal partners and leading multi-disciplinary teams to guide development of company policies and best practices. Uses seasoned legal judgment to proactively identify and develop creative solutions to complex problems to help the company achieve its goals and priorities.  Manages external counsel and coordinates with internal legal team members in delivery of legal services. This position reports to the Assistant General Counsel, or another senior management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate. This position reports to the Irvine, CA office but will maintain a hybrid schedule of working out of their home office and the Irvine, CA office. Working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position may require travel up to 25%.
 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Regular attendance, in accordance with company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position
• Development:

• Negotiates and documents a wide array of contracts including, as needed, those related to real property leases and purchases, portfolio and project sales, services contracts, interconnection agreements, power purchase agreements and other agreements.
• Provides general legal services and advice to Qcells USA’s Development team.

•   Real Estate:

• Serves as primary legal expert on all matters related to real estate, real property and related matters.
• Assist Qcells USA’s Development team in implementing its general real estate strategies.
• Assist with negotiation of acquisitions and sales of land and other real property rights to support Qcells USA’s renewable energy and other business goals.
• Assist with due diligence and derisking Qcells USA’s current or potential real property.
• Such other real estate and property related matters as maybe required.

•   Cross Department Support:

• Provides support to the legal department and Qcells USA as needed.
• Such other tasks as the Chief Legal Officer or Assistant General Counsel may assign.

• All other duties as assigned by General Counsel or other senior management personnel.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 

• 6+ years relevant experience 
• Strong background in real property related legal work
• Experience in the energy industry preferred
• Located near office or willingness to relocate preferred

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
• Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
• Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
• Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
• Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
• Travel: up to 25% as needed

EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regular professional, office business setting
• Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
• Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)

Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.  As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.  Please contact us to request accommodations at [email protected].

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.

This job position is specific to Qcells USA Corp. only and not any other Hanwha affiliates. The above-listed salary range is required by the California Pay Transparency Act and may differ depending on the location of those candidates hired nationwide. The salary range shared in the job description is for the listed position and only pertains to the candidate if they work in Irvine, CA. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to internal pay equity, skill set, education, licenses and certifications, geographic location, essential job duties and requirements, and the necessary experience relative to the job’s minimum qualifications. If candidates are considered for a nationwide role, then the compensation range will follow the marketability of the job function within those states. An additional discretionary bonus structure or incentives may be offered as part of the overall compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, dental, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.