Senior Counsel – Commercial - North America, Electrification

GE Vernova•Schenectady, NY

3d•$150,100 - $250,000

About The Position

GE Vernova is seeking a commercial lawyer to support its North America Electrification business. The role provides commercially focused legal advice in a fast-growing, transforming business, with an emphasis on simplifying complex legal and contractual issues, prioritizing legal effort according to value and risk, and executing matters promptly and independently under the overall supervision of the Head of Legal, NAM. The Senior Counsel advises sales, commercial operations, sourcing, contract management and project management teams during tendering and throughout project execution. The role drafts, negotiates and approves contracts with private and government-owned customers, suppliers, subcontractors and partners, and supports high-value, complex projects including sales and supply agreements, EPC and turnkey arrangements, design and engineering engagements, long-term service agreements, and operations and maintenance contracts. Work includes greenfield and brownfield projects, particularly large projects involving hyperscalers, as well as renegotiations, amendments and variation orders. The position supports contract interpretation, claims management and early identification of risk, and manages disputes through litigation, arbitration, mediation or settlement. It advises on legal and regulatory matters across the United States, Canada and Mexico, coordinating outside counsel when local expertise is needed. The role also partners with Compliance to investigate issues and implement regional programs, and contributes to the ongoing development of legal forms, templates, training and tools. It is expected to help transform legal support through standardization, digitization and responsible use of technology and AI, while staying current on industry, market and regulatory developments. The role requires an LL.B., J.D. or equivalent, admission and good standing with at least one U.S. state or Canadian provincial bar, and a minimum of eight years of post-qualification experience. The candidate must be fluent in English, have strong commercial law and complex-project contracting experience, and be willing to travel within North America and potentially beyond. The job is open to candidates based in North America, but the posting states that GE Vernova will employ only candidates legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. For U.S.-based candidates, the stated salary range is $150,100 to $250,000, with geographic salary differentials potentially applicable and discretionary annual bonus eligibility. GE Vernova describes the work environment as offering professional development, challenging careers and competitive compensation. Relocation assistance is not provided.

Requirements

LL.B., J.D. or equivalent degree from an accredited law school.
Admission and good standing with a bar in at least one North American jurisdiction: a U.S. state or Canadian province. This requirement also applies to candidates based in Mexico.
At least 8 years of post-qualification experience in commercial transactions, general corporate law and disputes, gained at a leading law firm, in a corporate legal department, or both.
Strong command of commercial law and practice, including the UCC and civil procedure, with emphasis on high-value contracting and complex projects in the energy, construction and infrastructure sectors.
Demonstrated experience handling and managing claims negotiation and dispute resolution.
Ability to simplify complexity, prioritize under pressure, and execute with speed and sound judgment.
Fluent English and excellent communication, drafting and presentation skills.
Willingness to travel, sometimes frequently, within North America and potentially beyond.
Relevant legal, commercial or contract experience and significant experience in Legal and Commercial functions, as stated in the additional French role-profile qualifications.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a fast-paced, high-growth or transformation environment where priorities shift quickly and the legal function scales alongside the business.
Track record of improving legal processes, templates and ways of working, and using data, technology and AI to drive efficiency.
Experience with power grid, electrical transmission or utility-scale projects; offshore industry experience is a strong asset.
Dual qualification, such as U.S. and Canada, or an LL.M. in a relevant discipline such as construction, energy or international business law.
Familiarity with U.S. federal, state (ideally New York) and local, and Canadian regulatory frameworks applicable to the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Working knowledge of procurement law and government contracting regulations such as FAR/DFARS, particularly for public-sector or government-owned utility customers.
Strong business acumen and a pragmatic, goal-oriented approach to creative, prudent and legally sound solutions; team orientation and a multicultural mindset.
Proficiency in French.
Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, collaboration and leadership skills.
Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving ability, ability to lead programs and projects, and ability to document, plan, promote and execute programs.
Excellent project management skills.

Responsibilities

Simplify complex legal and contractual issues into clear, practical business options and streamline deal structures, templates, playbooks and approval paths.
Prioritize legal support using a risk-based approach to negotiations and deal reviews, focusing effort where value and risk are greatest.
Deliver timely, decisive and commercially sound advice, owning matters end to end with a high degree of autonomy under the overall supervision of the Head of Legal, NAM.
Advise sales, commercial operations, sourcing, contract management and project management teams during tendering on business strategy and deal structures.
Draft, negotiate and approve contracts with private and government-owned customers, suppliers, subcontractors and partners, and participate in deal reviews while maintaining independence as counsel.
Support execution of high-value, complex regional projects, including master sales and supply agreements, EPC and turnkey arrangements, design and engineering engagements, long-term service agreements, and O&M contracts for brownfield and greenfield projects.
Support mega-projects with hyperscalers, as well as renegotiations, amendments and variation orders.
Work with contract management, project management and sourcing teams to manage claims, interpret contracts and identify emerging risks early.
Manage disputes through litigation, arbitration, mediation or settlement.
Advise on legal and regulatory issues across U.S., Canadian and Mexican jurisdictions, coordinating outside counsel when local expertise is required.
Partner with the Compliance organization and the Electrification Chief Compliance Officer to investigate compliance issues and implement regional compliance programs and initiatives.
Improve how legal supports a fast-scaling business by championing standardization, digitization and responsible use of technology and AI.
Contribute to the creation and continuous improvement of regional and global Electrification legal forms, templates, training materials and tools.
Deliver training to internal teams on commercial, compliance and legal topics, and capture and share lessons learned.
Maintain current knowledge of relevant industries, market trends and regulatory developments to support business objectives.