Sr Director, Legal Affairs

Status: Exempt (salaried)                                                                 

Department: Legal

Location: Capital Region, NY

Position Summary

The Sr Director of Legal Affairs will support Plug’s commercial growth and focus on the green hydrogen economy.  This role will work directly with Plug’s General Counsel and Managing Counsel on all aspects of advising Plug’s leadership team on legal and regulatory matters, including addressing commercial, financial, employment, sales, and corporate governance issues arising from Plug’s global business and the expansion of its products and services. This individual will coordinate across the Finance, Engineering, Sales, HR, Business Development, Manufacturing, and Operations organizations within the Company. The Sr Director of Legal Affairs will also manage a team of attorneys and legal support staff, providing guidance and review of their work and ensuring team priorities are aligned with the Company’s corporate goals. This individual must be self-motivated, able to handle multiple competing priorities at once, and willing to adapt within a fast-paced organization.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the General Counsel and Managing Counsel on all legal aspects of operating Plug’s domestic and international business including sales, compliance, product expansion and research and development. 
• Advise on preparing, reviewing, negotiating, and closing a wide variety of commercial contracts, including, but not limited to, product development agreements, research collaboration agreements, supply agreements, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property agreements, and other construction, financial, sales, energy, and marketing arrangements; and, as Plug is developing through many partnerships, lead legal negotiations with commercial counterparts.
• Manage a team of attorneys and non-attorneys (both remote and in-person team members), including guiding their career opportunities, developing and honing their skills, advising on their priorities and work approach.
• Develop strategic approach to balancing internal and external resources.
• Manage outside counsel relationship to ensure smart use of capital and quality work product output.
• Ensure work product of the highest quality that furthers Plug’s strategic goals.
• Open to international travel as and when required.
• Represent Plug in a professional manner at all times and in all interactions.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• J.D. degree and membership in at least one U.S. state bar preferably New York.
• For various levels you must have the following:
  • Director level will have a minimum of twelve (12) years’ experience in a law firm or ten (10) years in-house legal department of a corporation, or a combination thereof required.
  • Sr Director level will have a minimum of fifteen (15) years’ experience in a law firm or thirteen (13) years in-house legal department of a corporation, or a combination thereof required.
• Experience working directly with business clients, providing day-to-day input on business, commercial and financial strategies, resolving issues that arise in commercial relationships, responding to legal inquiries in a timely manner, and managing a team.
• Strong knowledge of contract, commercial, real estate, technology, energy, or intellectual property law in a technology and business-growth context and significant experience advising on commercial, transactional and technology issues.
• Experience in the Oil and Gas, Chemical and/or Renewable Energy sectors welcome.
• Knowledge of domestic and foreign policy as pertains to emerging renewable energy/hydrogen markets welcome.

• Demonstrable analytical abilities with strong attention to detail.
• Superior communication, task-management and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage projects and competing priorities and multi-task effectively.
• Ability to role model high standards of professionalism.
• Excellent follow-through. 
• Self-motivated drive to improve and excel.
• Highest ethical standards and a supreme commitment to quality work.
• Fully proficient in English required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software required.

Pay Rate:

We offer a fantastic total rewards package at Plug, and a brief summary is below:
✓ Base salary is determined on a number of factors including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. These factors are considered when making an offer of employment.  If you are interested in this position, we’d ask that you apply.
✓ The above pay range, may not take into account local geographic pay variations. If there is an applicable geographic differential, a member of the HR team can discuss that with you. 
✓ Health, Dental & Vision Insurance eligibility starting from the first day of hire
✓ 401(k) with 5% company match
✓ Bonus eligibility
✓ Paid time off including vacation, personal and sick time
✓ Paid Holidays
✓ Wellness Reimbursement Program
✓ Potential to apply for Tuition Reimbursement
✓ Employee Referral program
✓ Employee Assistance Program

Plug Power Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.