Senior Counsel-Corporate Finance

Primary purpose:
Senior in‑house securities and capital markets counsel responsible for structuring, documenting and executing debt and financing transactions for Tallgrass’s energy infrastructure and decarbonization projects. Primary focus is on issuance of secured public notes and other debt instruments, commercial and project financings, credit facilities, intercreditor/security arrangements, and related capital markets matters. This role also supports corporate transactional work (M&A, JVs, governance and compliance) as needed.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Lead end‑to‑end execution of debt issuances and capital markets transactions, including:
  • Drafting and negotiating offering documents, indentures/notes, security agreements, trust deeds and related transaction documents.
  • Managing underwriters/placement agents, indenture trustees, trustees/custodians and other third parties.
  • Coordinating with treasury, finance, accounting, and external counsel on pricing, structure, disclosure and closing logistics.
• Structure and document commercial and project financings:
  • Negotiate and draft credit agreements, loan agreements, project finance documentation, construction/term loan facilities, and related collateral perfection filings (UCCs, mortgages, pledges).
  • Draft and negotiate intercreditor agreements and multi‑party security arrangements.
• Advise on covenant drafting, compliance and enforcement for loans and notes; manage covenant monitoring and remedial measures with business and finance teams.
• Counsel on capital structure strategy and capital markets alternatives; evaluate and recommend financing options for acquisitions, capital projects and refinancing.
• Support related corporate transactional matters:
  • Assist on M&A, joint ventures and divestitures where capital markets or financing structures are implicated.
  • Provide corporate governance, board and committee support relating to capital transactions.
• Draft and review annual and quarterly financial statements and current reports to ensure compliance with indentures, credit agreements, joint venture agreements, securities laws and other regulatory requirements and assist with related internal controls and procedures.
• Provide training and general legal advice to the company on securities laws and related regulatory requirements, including periodic and current reporting requirements, Regulation FD and insider trading laws. 
• Manage external counsel and service providers, including selecting and supervising outside law firms, rating agency counsel, trustees, banks and other advisors to achieve commercial, timing and cost objectives.
• Coordinate regulatory, disclosure and compliance processes as they relate to debt offerings and credit facilities (securities law compliance for debt offerings, state Blue Sky, reporting requirements applicable to issuances, trustee/indenture processes).
• Provide pragmatic commercial advice and training to business, commercial, treasury and project teams on financing-related legal risks and best practices.
• Participate in developing internal policies, playbooks and templates for financing transactions and capital markets activity.
• Advise management on contract development and negotiated terms.
• Prepare, review and interpret legal documents. 
• Conduct legal research and analysis.
• Monitor for changes in law.
• May be asked to support and contribute to a wide variety of other legal matters on an as-needed basis.
• Willingness to travel as needed, including to the Company’s other office locations in Lakewood, CO (Denver metro), Leawood, KS (Kansas City metro), and Houston, TX offices.
• Ability to deal with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy and professionalism.
• Speak clearly, both in person and by telephone, using a high level of verbal skills and listen carefully.
• Maintain a regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.
• Work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Maintain a high regard for personal safety, for the safety of company assets and employees, and the general public.
• Other daily, weekly, monthly, or special project duties as identified and defined.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Four-year Undergraduate Degree and Juris Doctor from accredited law school required.
• Top 25% of law school class strongly preferred.

Experience/Specific Knowledge:

• Minimum 5-8+ years of transactional experience (law firm and/or in‑house) with a primary focus on debt capital markets, secured note issuance, and commercial/project financing.
• Demonstrated experience leading secured public and private debt offerings (indentures/notes), credit facilities, and project finance for infrastructure or energy clients.
• Demonstrated experience advising on securities laws and related compliance matters, including periodic and current reports (10-Ks, 10-Qs and 8-Ks) under the ’34 Act, Regulation FD, insider trading laws and related controls and procedures.
• Strong knowledge of security documentation (UCC, mortgages, pledges), intercreditor agreements, trustee relationships and collateral perfection mechanics.
• Commercial orientation and ability to provide pragmatic risk assessments to business stakeholders.
• Experience within energy infrastructure (pipelines, midstream, decarbonization projects) or other large infrastructure sectors is preferred, but not required. 
• Advanced proficiency level in MS Office applications that may include but are not limited to Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations:

• Must be licensed to practice law in the U.S. and eligible to waive into the Colorado, Kansas or Texas Bar.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel).
• Competencies, Skills & Abilities:
• Possess excellent writing, research and communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and logical thought processes.
• Proficiency with relevant legal research tools. 
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.
• Must be able to work with a team, take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.
• Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines.
• Ability to organize and prioritize daily work.

Physical Demands:

All of the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel.  The employee is required to talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions:

• Modern office location in Lakewood, CO (Denver metro), Leawood, KS (Kansas City metro), Houston, TX.
• The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, including credit report for certain positions, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.
• Required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.
• Travel to Lakewood, CO (Denver metro), Leawood, KS (Kansas City metro), Houston, TX offices, and other locations may be required.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Above the minimum requirements; not required but advantageous in this position:

• Experience in the Energy, Oil or Gas industries preferred.