Senior Counsel – Government Contracts & Regulatory Compliance

Zenobē • Chicago, IL

23d

About The Position

We are looking to recruit a Senior Counsel – Government Contracts & Regulatory Compliance to help build, scale, and operationalize Zenobē’s North America compliance framework for incentive-backed and publicly funded projects, partnering closely with and reporting to the Associate General Counsel, North America. This role sits at the intersection of public funding, electrification infrastructure, construction, and regulated procurement and will play a critical part in enabling growth across incentive‑backed projects.
The ideal candidate brings a blend of top‑tier law firm training and real‑world government or in‑house experience, with the ability to apply complex federal and state regulatory frameworks in a practical, commercially grounded way. This is a unique opportunity to shape a foundational capability at a rapidly scaling clean‑energy company.
While initially scoped as a senior individual contributor role, this position is intentionally designed with future leadership runway. As the compliance framework matures and the business scales, the role is expected to assume increasing ownership, visibility, and cross-functional leadership, subject to performance and organizational needs.

Requirements

• J.D. and active U.S. bar membership
• 10+ years of relevant experience, ideally spanning BigLaw and government or in‑house roles
• Deep familiarity with federal and state incentive programs
• Experience applying 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) in practice
• Experience with BABAA and Buy America requirements
• Strong understanding of public procurement, infrastructure delivery models, and pass‑through funding requirements
• Experience drafting and negotiating compliance‑driven contract provisions and flowdowns
• Ability to interpret and apply evolving regulations in a clear and commercially practical manner
• Excellent communication, cross‑functional collaboration, and stakeholder‑management skills
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to operate in a fast‑moving environment and manage competing priorities

Nice To Haves

• Experience with FTA‑funded programs, DOT awards, or other agency-specific domestic preference regimes
• Background in infrastructure, transportation, electrification, or construction
• Experience implementing or scaling compliance frameworks within growth‑stage companies
• Familiarity with grant reporting systems, audit processes, or public‑sector contracting lifecycles
• Demonstrated ability to work in ambiguity and build processes from scratch
• Commercial contract drafting experience; construction or finance experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal oversight of federal and state incentive programs, including grants, rebates, tax credits, and performance‑based funding
• Advise on BABA and Buy America requirements and support strategic compliance planning
• Interpret and apply 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) across contracts, subawards, and project structures
• Support compliance for projects involving FTA‑funded programs and agency-specific domestic preference requirements
• Develop, implement, and maintain a scalable North America compliance framework aligned to federal/state funding landscapes
• Integrate compliance requirements into procurement, contracting, construction, project delivery, and asset‑level activities
• Support drafting and negotiation of compliance‑driven contract terms, including flowdowns, certifications, and reporting obligations
• Monitor federal and state regulatory developments and advise cross‑functional teams on implications for active and pipeline projects
• Work closely with Grants & Funding, Commercial Development, Delivery, and Operations teams on funding eligibility, documentation, and reporting
• Provide training, tools, and guidance to internal teams to ensure consistent application of compliance requirements
• Support external audits, M&A due diligence, and funding‑related verification processes as needed
• Actively contribute to Zenobe's commitment to health and safety, wellbeing and sustainability by; integrating these principles into daily responsibilities, ensuring a safe and supportive work environment, promoting both the physical and mental health of self and colleagues, and adopting sustainable and energy-efficient practices to minimize environmental impact. By doing so, each employee at Zenobe plays a vital role in fostering a culture that prioritises overall safety, holistic wellbeing, environmental sustainability in our business operations.

Benefits

• At Zenobe we all work hard and go the extra mile so it’s important to rest and regenerate with 20 days holiday which increases after 5 years’ service
• 401k Scheme – Up to 4% matching
• Excellent opportunities for personal growth and responsibility plus a training budget
• Up to 33% performance related bonus
• Health, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance (We offer 3 Robust medical plans including one that’s 100% employer-paid coverage for employees and 75% paid for the dependents/spouse)
• Refer a friend bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits
• Flex commuter programme

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed