Associate Legal Counsel - Renewable Energy

Nelnet is a diversified and innovative company committed to enriching lives through the power of service as a student loan servicer, professional services company, consumer loan originator and servicer, payments processor, and K-12 and higher education expert. For over 40 years, Nelnet has been serving its customers, associates, and communities.
The perks of working at Nelnet go beyond our benefits package. When you join the Nelnet team, you're part of a community invested in the success of each individual. That support comes through in our work, as we are united by our mission of creating opportunities for people where they live, learn, and work.
Nelnet finances, develops, and manages investments in clean energy solutions. By partnering with investors, developers, startups, educational institutions, residential and commercial clients, and communities to deploy Renewable Energy and other technological solutions, we're planting the seeds for a cleaner, more resilient, and more inclusive future. Nelnet Renewable Energy ("NRE") is in the midst of expansive growth. Since the beginning of 2022, we have built out our solar development capabilities through the acquisition of a leading solar installation/construction company ("GRNE-Nelnet"), invested millions in emerging CleanTech companies, and funded or committed to fund over $450 million in solar projects nationwide, and launched a new business line offering full-scope carbon neutrality to higher education institutions and allied markets. We believe our combination of reputation, experience, capital, and relationships lends itself to us becoming a formidable partner, investor, and creator within the Renewable Energy industry for years to come.
This position will be integral to providing support to the Nelnet Renewable Energy legal team and to GRNE-Nelnet, specifically. We are a close-knit team that coordinates on a daily basis to provide high-quality representation of the NRE entities, including GRNE-Nelnet, and to serve/support NRE's developer partners, vendor partners, clients, and the broader NRE team (including management, accounting, sales, operations, and other facets of the business). We play a key role in bringing the different elements of the business together to ensure proper and optimal cross-functional collaboration.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Update standard contracts for GRNE-Nelnet from time to time (solar system purchase agreement, power purchase agreement ("PPA"), engineering, procurement, and construction ("EPC") agreement, REC agreements, and other such agreements relevant to the business).
2. Review and negotiate material GRNE-Nelnet contracts such as PPA agreements and EPC agreements, and sign off on deviations to our standard contracts where appropriate.
3. Oversee GRNE-Nelnet contract management system and track key contract compliance milestones.
4. Manage GRNE-Nelnet's compliance with key regulatory programs (such as the Illinois SREC programs), licenses, and the Inflation Reduction Act requirements, as applicable, and in connection therewith supervise regulatory personnel charged with managing certain of these compliance obligations.
5. Perform/manage legal due diligence on solar projects under construction (e.g., environmental, real estate, permitting due diligence), with assistance of outside counsel as appropriate.
6. Work with CEO of GRNE-Nelnet, accounting, sales, marketing, operations, and other facets of the business to ensure and facilitate appropriate cross-functional collaboration.
7. Manage customer disputes that have escalated or may escalate to legal attention (and work with Nelnet's litigation department as needed).
8. Help vet new product offerings, new markets/office branches, project acquisitions, and issues that may arise in the business of GRNE-Nelnet with holistic consideration given to compliance, risk, liability, business case, customer/shareholder/associate impact and experience, and exercise of sound judgment. Navigate role as both legal and business advisor and "when to wear which hats".
9. Help implement intercompany transactions involving GRNE-Nelnet and its affiliated companies, and help facilitate sound corporate governance practices involving these entities.
10. Help monitor relevant federal, state, and local regulatory developments and keep team apprised of same.
11. Provide support to NRE legal team.
**Pay Range for this position is - $100k-$150k depending on experience
EDUCATION:
1. Required: Juris Doctorate (JD).
2. Preferred: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or Environmental Sciences; Master of Public Accounting (MPA) preferred; Postsecondary education with an emphasis in Taxation or Master in Business Administration (MBA) preferred
EXPERIENCE:
1. 2+ years (may include job-specific education) of corporate legal practice.
2. Tax and accounting experience is preferred.
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:
1. Consistent, High-Quality Results: Establishes credibility by producing timely, thorough, accurate, and insightful results, consistently. Earns the respect of others through effective interaction with all teams.
2. Efficiency/Accountability: Allocates time efficiently, focusing on ever-shifting priorities, and continually seeks ways to improve individual and team productivity. Highly accountable and able to manage multiple complex tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Effective follow-through skills.
3. Energy, Drive, and Motivation: Embraces challenges enthusiastically, then executes rigorously and with great attention to detail. Willingness to expand role and find ways to support members of the NRE team.
4. Entrepreneurial: Encounters new business ideas and continuously assesses the proposals.
5. Excellent business judgment and strong analytical skills. Comfortable influencing corporate decision-making.
6. Possesses strong legal analytical skills and project management and organizational skills.
7. Broad business knowledge (accounting and tax preferred).
8. Proven ability to work under stress in emergencies, flexibility to handle pressure coming from all directions simultaneously. Able to work independently.
9. Strong/confident communication style: Effectively communicates with and engages all levels of the organization from peers to executive management both verbally and in writing. Displays confidence in expressing opinions and in offering a point of view. Strong interpersonal skills.
10. Strong values, including a demonstrated commitment to honesty, ethics, and integrity.
Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA, generous earned time off, 401K/student loan repayment, life insurance & AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, employee stock purchase program, tuition reimbursement, performance-based incentive pay, short- and long-term disability, and a robust wellness program. Click here to learn more about our benefits: LINK.
Nelnet is an Equal Opportunity Employer, complies with Executive Order 11246, and takes affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to race, color, religion/creed, national origin, gender, or sex, marital status, age, disability, use of a guide dog or service animal, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by Federal or State law or local ordinance.
Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to apply or compete for positions at Nelnet may request such accommodations by contacting Corporate Recruiting at 402-486-5725 or corporaterecruiting@nelnet.net.
Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.