Senior Legal Counsel – Development and Real Estate

Company Profile:

Repsol is a globally integrated multi-energy company headquartered in Madrid, Spain. With a team of 25,000 employees across more than 20 countries, we proudly serve 24 million customers worldwide. Our diversified renewable energy portfolio totals nearly 3,700 MW of installed capacity, with a strong presence in Spain, the United States, and Chile.

As part of our commitment to a more sustainable future, low-emissions generation is at the core of our strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Repsol Renewables North America (RRNA) plays a key role in this vision, with aims to increase generation capacity between 3,000 – 4,000 MW by 2027.

We are driven by innovation, collaboration, and purpose. Repsol offers a comprehensive Employee Value Proposition (EVP), including a holistic Total Rewards program that supports the wellbeing, growth, and contributions of our people. Join us in shaping the future of energy.

The position is based in Downtown Houston with a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office and 2 days from home.

Job Summary:

The Senior Legal Counsel – Real Estate and Development will provide legal support across the full lifecycle of renewable energy projects, with a primary focus on development-stage legal matters and real estate transactions. The role supports Renewables NA by advising on project origination, development, construction, financing, acquisition, disposition, and operation, with particular emphasis on site control, land use, title, permitting, and development risk management. 

Roles / Responsibilities:

The Senior Counsel will be responsible for negotiating and managing real estate and development agreements (including leases, easements, rights-of-way, access and surface use agreements), advising on permitting and regulatory approvals, supporting interconnection and development procedures, and coordinating closely with internal development, origination, and finance teams. The role also includes oversight of title and survey matters, title insurance, curative actions, and efficient management of outside counsel. The Senior Counsel is expected to identify and communicate material development and real estate risks and to operate as a trusted legal advisor in a fast-paced, transactional environment.

• Provide legal advice on real estate and development matters related to renewable energy project.
• Lead the negotiation, drafting, and management of real estate agreements, including leases, easements, rights‑of‑way, access agreements, surface use agreements, road use agreements, crossing agreements, purchase and sale agreements, and mineral waivers.
• Advise on site control strategy and land use issues to support project development timelines and risk management.
• Conduct and oversee title, survey, and real estate due diligence, including review of title commitments, surveys, endorsements, and preparation of curative documentation.
• Manage and resolve title insurance coverage matters and related claims.
• Provide legal support on development‑stage activities, including permitting, zoning, environmental compliance, regulatory approvals, and interconnection processes.
• Advise on and manage legal issues arising during development procedures, including oppositions, disputes, allegations, and regulatory inquiries.
• Support financing transactions (including tax equity, minority equity, and project financing) as they relate to development and real estate matters.
• Identify, assess, and clearly communicate material development and real estate risks to the legal team and business stakeholders.
• Maintain and oversee real estate records and documentation, ensuring audit readiness and compliance with internal governance and delegation of authority requirements.
• Coordinate closely with internal teams, including origination, development, construction, finance, tax, and regulatory, to support project execution.
• Manage and efficiently oversee outside counsel, including scoping, budgeting, and supervision of external legal work.
• Conduct legal research and provide practical, business‑oriented legal guidance in a fast‑paced transactional environment.
• Support other legal matters and projects as assigned by the General Counsel.

Job Specifications / Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from ABA accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. state, preferably in Texas.
• 7-10 years of experience negotiating, reviewing, preparing, and drafting real estate, survey, and title related documents and agreements.
• Experience in development and legal real estate matters relating to renewable power generation experience is a plus.
• Strong title, survey, and real estate due diligence experience.
• Experience in development and real estate aspects of project finance, non-recourse debt, and tax equity investments
• Strong communication skills and a proven ability to advise business managers on complex legal matters.
• Proven responsibility and organizational and time-management skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Solid computer skills and in-depth knowledge of relevant software, such as MS Office Suite.
• Integrity, good judgment and strong decision-making abilities.
• Careful handling of confidential information.
• Strong information-gathering and information-monitoring skills.
• Initiative and flexibility; and
• Respectful of others and having excellent teamwork skills.

Repsol is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran