General Counsel

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS INC•Rochester, NY

25d•$150,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

GreenSpark Solar, loyal to people and planet, creates fiercely local, cost-effective, clean energy options in the Greater Rochester Community. We feel a huge responsibility to succeed at GreenSpark. As a B Corporation, success is directly tied to honoring our triple bottom line of commitments to people, the planet, and profits (providing capital to grow, revenue to share among our employees, and a return to our investors). It is important work that directly impacts our employees and their families, our customers, and the residents of the communities where we do business, along with our local and broader global environment, but we have fun doing it. Our workplace reflects our values — our our fleet includes all-electric and hybrid vehicles, dogs roam the office, and we strive to be an unabashedly inclusive, diverse workplace. The General Counsel will serve as GreenSpark’s lead legal architect, providing strategic guidance and advice on a wide range of corporate, contractual, compliance, and governance matters while building a department and core processes in collaboration with business leaders and subject matter experts to institutionalize our legal department from the ground up. This role will report to the Chief Operating Officer and support GreenSpark’s leadership team in making informed, values-based decisions that align with our mission and business objectives, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The ideal candidate is a pragmatic, solution-oriented attorney who is comfortable navigating a collaborative, evolving work environment, with meaningful experience in renewable energy, corporate law, construction, public policy, or related industries.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school; active license to practice law in New York State (or eligibility for in-house counsel registration).
Minimum of 2-4 years of legal practice, with experience in corporate, transactional, or energy-related law.
Background in contract negotiation, corporate governance, compliance, and risk management.
Ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.
Demonstrated capacity to balance legal considerations with business objectives in a mission-driven environment.
Tech fluency
Collaborative mindset - willingness to learn, teach, and partner with colleagues

Nice To Haves

Experience in renewable energy, utilities, or infrastructure industries preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the company’s primary legal advisor, offering counsel on corporate governance, risk management, and strategic initiatives.
Contract Lifecycle Management including Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts including EPCs, Subcontractor, and Vendor agreements across five business lines.
Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including business, labor, environmental, tax, and corporate governance requirements.
Provide legal support for corporate transactions, including financing, and strategic partnerships.
Advise leadership and the Board of Directors on legal risks and opportunities.
Develop and implement company-wide policies, procedures, and training to manage legal risk while supporting business goals.
Operational Integration - work with current and emerging technology platforms to ensure legal operations are embedded in the day-to-day project management workflows.
Manage relationships with external counsel as needed.
Stay current on industry trends, state and federal regulatory developments, and emerging risks in renewable energy and business law.

Benefits

Annual salary range of $150,000 - $200,000
Weekly pay
Quarterly bonus potential based on company performance
401(k) profit sharing plan
Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Flexible work schedule and hybrid work arrangements.
Three weeks (120 hours) of vacation time, plus flexible paid time off (PTO) after the first year.
12 days (96 hours) of paid sick leave
Eight paid company-wide closure days
Company-issued cell phone or reimbursement
Opportunities for professional growth through training and development programs
Annual company retreat to foster team building and company culture
Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support and counseling services
Pet-friendly work environment