Senior Director of Legal

Are you a commercially astute, strategically minded legal practitioner? Are you keen to use your skills in a high-impact and fast-moving environment? Do you find the prospect of joining the original management team of a newly formed company committed to expanding investible water and sanitation projects globally exciting? If so, look no further.

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Acre is thrilled to partner with a purpose-driven joint venture ("the Company"[1]) between Water.org and WaterEquity to hire a new Senior Director of Legal. The Company will partner with private companies to jointly develop investible water and sanitation projects in emerging markets.

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Our client is seeking a Senior Director of Legal with experience in infrastructure project development, project finance agreements, and cross-border transactions. The role will involve close coordination with the Company's partnerships team, playing a strategic role in structuring transactions, including designing contractual models appropriate for multiple countries and preparing and executing necessary agreements. This is a newly created senior position in a start-up company, taking up a new business line in collaboration with the family of Water.org companies.

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The ideal candidate will be someone with hands-on experience in the legal aspects of infrastructure project development coupled with an appetite for a role in an exciting start-up business in the field of economic development, impact investing, or social and environmental impact in emerging markets. S/he will be someone who thrives in a dynamic start-up culture, excels at independent work and proactive communication, and is able to manage diverse projects simultaneously. The ideal candidate has team-building experience, is comfortable working remotely with colleagues in diverse geographic locations and demonstrates exceptional business judgment. Because the Company is in its start-up phase, the position will evolve rapidly as the team grows and priorities change.

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RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead legal assessment of infrastructure project development needs in multiple jurisdictions and work with outside counsel to identify the most effective and efficient legal approach and structure to each project

• Play a pivotal role in regulatory affairs through identifying relevant local rules (e.g., licensure and tax requirements) and ensuring compliance with all in-country regulations

• Develop and implement Company policies and systems to ensure consistent and optimal legal structuring for the Company's project development partnerships

• Review project documentation to ensure compliance with pre-conditions and maintain proactive, direct communication with external stakeholders throughout the process

• Facilitate the end-to-end contract execution process

• Act as the primary point of contact for Company legal inquiries

• Guide project companies through the financial documentation process and the conditions precedent process, offering proactive support

• Manage legal and governance issues related to the Company's Delaware company registration and relationships with sister companies, particularly subsidiary-parent considerations

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WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Juris Doctor or equivalent

• Minimum of ten (10) years' experience as in-house or outside counsel with responsibilities relevant to this role, or in related role (e.g. operations, advisory, compliance) for an internationally active business/clients

• Minimum of three (3) years' experience in transaction experience focused on legal structuring and compliance for infrastructure project development and/or project finance in emerging markets, particularly for projects with capital expenditures exceeding $25M

• Experience managing legal teams or relationships with legal counsel; track record efficiently managing legal expense levels, keen ability to narrow the focus to the most impactful activities

• Preference for direct experience in the following areas:

• Private sector-led infrastructure project development, unsolicited project bids

• Infrastructure project finance and SPVs

• Sector experience in water supply, sanitation, solid waste, energy, roads, ports, rail, airports, industrial parks, or similar infrastructure

• Mergers and acquisitions, joint-ventures

• Subsidiary-parent structures and operations

• Blended finance

• Cross-border transactions, multiple jurisdictions

• Geographical experience in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, the Philippines, and/or South Africa

• Ability to independently manage multiple projects and deadlines, particularly cross-border management of relationships with local legal counsel in multiple jurisdictions

• Ability to work alone and to collaborate with team members across diverse geographic locations

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

• Strong attention to detail

• Proactive, problem-solving mindset adaptable to a start-up environment, experience in start-up environment preferred

• Ability to lead and develop staff effectively

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Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer

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Location: Remote, flexible location contingent on applicant ability to accommodate global time zones and high degree of comfort using remote-working technology. Role includes regular collaboration with colleagues, partners, and service providers in the Americas, Africa, India, and East Asia. Preferred locations include India, the Philippines, Singapore, Europe, and South Africa.

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[1] Company name and logo to be launched in March 2024