Legal Counsel

South Pole is looking for a motivated and capable Legal Counsel with 35 years of post-qualification experience to join our Global Legal Team. This role offers exposure to a diverse portfolio of legal work across multiple jurisdictions, including the EMEA and North American regions. While the regional focus may vary based on the candidates location, the workload will include global responsibilities and cross-border legal support in line with South Poles international operations.
The role will report to the relevant Regional Legal Head:

• If based in Colombia, the Legal Counsel will report to the Americas Regional Legal Head, located in Bogot.
• If based in India, the Legal Counsel will report to the APAC Regional Head, located in Australia.
  

The Legal Counsel will work closely with business teams across commercial, advisory, portfolio, and certificate operations, providing legal guidance on contracts, compliance, risk, regulatory matters, and disputes.
The Global Legal & Compliance Team
You will be part of a diverse and collaborative team of 16 legal and compliance professionals based in Colombia, Australia, Singapore, India, London, Berlin, Paris, and South Africa. The Legal & Compliance function is led by the General Counsel, based in London, who is part of the Executive Committee, reports to the CEO and works closely with the Board and investors.
The team advises on all aspects of both strategic and day-to-day legal matters, including:

• M&A, JVs and Corporate Finance
• Corporate and commercial law
• Litigation and dispute resolution
• Regulatory and compliance
• Corporate secretarial
• Employment law
• Internal investigations and crisis management
• Legal project management
• Data Privacy
• Public and government affairs
  

About South Pole
South Pole is a global climate solutions provider and carbon project developer. We support public and private sector organizations in achieving their climate and sustainability goals through two core business lines:

• Certificates: We originate and advise high-quality carbon reduction and removal projects around the world. These projects generate environmental assets such as carbon credits and renewable energy certificates, which support organizations in their decarbonization journeys.
• Climate Advisory Services: Our advisory business provides end-to-end sustainability solutions, including climate risk analysis, net zero roadmaps, ESG advisory, supply chain engagement, and policy guidance. We work closely with clients to develop and implement science-based strategies that contribute to climate resilience and low-carbon transformation.
  

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Contracting & Negotiation
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of commercial contracts, including:
• Emission Reduction Purchase Agreements (ERPAs)
• Carbon removal credit sales agreements
• Environmental attribute certificate contracts (e.g., I-RECs, GOs, RECs, REGOs)
• Partnership agreements, consultancy and service contracts, SaaS agreements, and settlement agreements
• Support contract negotiations across global stakeholders, clients, and partners.
• Maintain and develop legal templates, playbooks, and process guides to ensure consistency and efficiency in global contracting.
• Assist commercial teams with structuring transactions and supporting procurement and tendering processes.
• Prepare a variety of legal documents, including disclaimers, debt collection notices, memorandums of understanding, non-disclosure agreements, powers of attorney, corporate resolutions, and internal legal guidance notes
• Regulatory, Compliance & Risk Management
• Provide legal guidance on cross-border regulatory issues, with a focus on ESG, sustainability, and environmental markets.
• Track and interpret legal developments in priority jurisdictions to support internal decision-making.
• Contribute to internal data privacy compliance programs, including incident response and ongoing alignment with relevant data protection laws (e.g. GDPR).
• Support the marketing and communications teams by reviewing promotional materials for regulatory compliance.

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• Deliver legal training sessions to internal stakeholders on contract risks, data protection, and compliance best practices.
• Legal Advisory & Global Collaboration
• Act as a legal advisor across regions and business lines, helping teams navigate commercial, reputational, and operational legal matters.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with departments such as Finance, Risk, HR, IT, Marketing and Communications to ensure process, governance, legal and regulatory alignment.
• Support governance and legal process improvement projects initiated by the General Counsel, including knowledge management and automation.
• Work with global teams to support consistent legal risk management and business enablement.
• Dispute Resolution & Stakeholder Management
• Support alternative dispute resolution (e.g., mediation, negotiation), including stakeholder communication and settlement discussions.
• Assist with dispute resolution on ongoing matters.
  

Key Skills & Experience Required

• Law degree and/or license to practice law common law jurisdiction: Australia, India, Singapore, New York, England or Hong Kong in addition to any domestic qualifications
• Can do, roll up your sleeves attitude to take on areas outside your comfort zone and deep dive into unfamiliar topics (with senior support and guidance)
• Sensitive and proactive handling of stakeholders in the business with responsiveness being a key criteria
• 45 years of post-qualification legal experience, ideally in a law firm or in-house role supporting cross-border commercial matters.
• Strong skills in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements.
• Experience advising on compliance, risk, and regulatory issuesexperience in the ESG or environmental markets is an advantage.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines, work across time zones, and deliver practical, business-oriented legal advice.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, solutions-driven mindset.
• Native level proficiency in English is required.