Head of Legal Affairs

Title: Head of Legal Affairs

Hours: Full-time, salaried

Location: Hybrid, Salt Lake City

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Reports to: CEO

Why we exist and why we need you 

Geothermal energy is the most abundant renewable energy source in the world. There is 2,300 times more energy in geothermal heat in the ground than in oil, gas, coal, and methane combined. However, historically, it’s been hard to find and expensive to develop. At Zanskar, we’re using better technology to find and develop new geothermal resources to make geothermal energy a cheap and vital contributor to a carbon-free electrical grid. We are revolutionizing the exploration process, setting new industry standards for discovery rates and finding new prospects at an unprecedented scale.

We need a well-rounded and entrepreneurial Head of Legal Affairs to manage our increasingly complex network of contracts and risk. The Head of Legal affairs would become the go-to expert who works with outside counsel and internal leaders across several different legal areas across a large and diverse portfolio of geothermal leases and options, small and large machine drilling operations in several states, operating power plants, government contracts, project development partnerships, and data sharing agreements.

Outcomes - Problems you’ll solve

The immediate outcome this role would focus on is quickly and succinctly managing contract negotiations that balance and protect Zanskar’s IP and financial interests in developing technology and heat/power projects. In many cases, this will require a nuanced view of the risks and rewards of liabilities to clarify courses of action to move geothermal development or technology projects forward. 

Key activities include:

- Effectively manage outside counsel and streamline legal decision-making in our team while  managing our legal exposure

- Review and negotiate vendor contracts (e.g., consulting or lease agreements), including with drilling contractors and landowners

- Review and negotiate partner agreements (e.g., JVs, PPAs), including with federal agencies, other geothermal developers, and off-takers 

- Review and negotiate data-sharing agreements such as fundraising NDAs, university technology partnerships, and software agreements

- Provide legal advice in all aspects of geothermal project development, construction, and financing

- File state and federal filings for all Zanskar entities and ensure we are compliant

- Support fundraising diligence needs and security compliance with investors

- Provide advice on federal and state policy and regulatory matters 

- Develop and implement best practices for document management

Competencies – What we’re looking for

Well-rounded expertise:

- 5-8+ years at a top-tier law firm or sophisticated in-house legal department with experience leading complex transactions and contract negotiations independently

- Experience in M&A and joint venture transactions is a plus.

- Insight on contract and IP law

Energy / Infrastructure experience:

- Experience in project development, construction, and finance in the energy or power (renewable or thermal)

- Understanding of infrastructure and development regulatory frameworks

Entrepreneurial & Mission-driven:

- Wants to blaze a trail and leave a legacy on a start-up transforming carbon-free, baseload energy

- Is not scared by the unknown and is eager to engage with company and process building

- Understands what is acceptable amount of risk needed to achieve commercial and strategic outcomes and manages that risk exposure

• Competitive salary and bonus structure
• Equity stock options
• Paid holidays
• 15 days PTO + PTO accrual increase based on tenure
• Medical and dental coverage
• 401k + Match
• Growth opportunities at a company with a direct impact on displacing carbon emissions

Zanskar is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practice laws.