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Portfolio/M&A Senior Legal Counsel - Houston, Texas

Overview of Role

We are looking for a Portfolio/M&A Senior Legal Counsel, who will be based in Houston, Texas.  He/she will report to the Global Head of Legal – Portfolio & Asset Finance. 

The Portfolio/M&A Senior Legal Counsel’s main role will be to act as key member of the Portfolio/M&A legal team, supporting the Portfolio/M&A business team in relation to investment / divestment opportunities in the Americas (including in connection with existing portfolio), including:

• Leading M&A deal execution process from a legal standpoint (RFPs, due diligence, transaction documentation, negotiation, closing and post-deal monitoring) within North, Central and South America, to the extent involving Centalion USA (or any United States or other Americas-based affiliates of the Centalion Group)
• Coordinating with other departments / teams (e.g. finance, tax, compliance) to obtain all relevant inputs for transaction evaluation and execution process, as well as outside counsel resources retained to assist with these opportunities
• Having familiarity with regulations related to such M&A transactions, including the regulators within North America having jurisdiction over the Centalion USA business or particular opportunity, such as the DOJ, CFTC and CFIUS

Main Responsibilities

• Ability to review, negotiate and draft M&A-related legal documents (SPAs, JVAs…), manage due diligence/signing/closing processes and advise internal counterparties
• Support the day-to-day transactional business of Centalion’s Portfolio activities in the Americas
• Provide effective and timely advice on the laws and regulations applicable to M&A activities
• Liaise with Centalion Legal Department resources located in Houston and Geneva, as well as outside counsel resources (when used)
• Manage outside counsel resources related to these activities and establish working relationships
• Ability to review, negotiate and draft asset finance-related documents;
• Ability to structure complex transactions
• Provide performance and client-driven service in the resolution of legal issues taking into account the business needs, the resources available, the timeframes involved, and contribute to business-driven solutions
• Contribute to knowledge and document management and standard form documents
• Provide cover for legal counsels who are part of the same team, as may be required;
• Perform other ad-hoc duties assigned by the line manager

Profile

• A Juris doctorate degree required, and active license to practice law (preferably in the State of Texas)
• 10+ years (absolute minimum 8+ years) working experience within the energy/commodity trading M&A industry preferred
• Ability to manage external legal counsels
• Ability to work independently and run projects and to obtain required inputs from a range of sources (other departments, Portfolio/M&A business team, traders, external counterparties)
• Ability to take on a number of tasks and prioritize in order to reach best outcome
• Flexibility to travel (approximately 10-20% of time), potentially on short notice
• Ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines
• Team player but ability to be autonomous while working on projects;
• Excellent communication skills – ability to communicate with senior management, corporate legal colleagues, business counterparts and external advisors
• Demonstrates integrity at all times
• Punctual, precise, hands-on, can-do mentality and service-oriented;
• Strong computer skills in Excel, PowerPoint and other MS Office applications
• Knowledge of AI applications and use a plus, but must be able to independently draft, review, analyze and assess legal documents and issues

If you think the open position you see is right for you, we encourage you to apply!

Our people make all the difference in our success.