Investec is a distinctive Specialist Bank serving clients principally in the UK and South Africa. Our culture gives us our edge: we work hard to find colleagues who'll think out of the ordinary and we put them in environments where they'll flourish. We combine a flat structure with a focus on internal mobility. If you can bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to learn and collaborate to your work, this could be the boost your career deserves.

Legal Counsel - Energy & Infrastructure Finance (New York)

Investec - Where Out of the Ordinary Happens

At Investec, we do things differently. We're a leading international bank and wealth manager built on a culture of curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit and human connection. Ideas are heard, ambition is celebrated, and impact is encouraged. As part of a team that challenges convention and strives for outperformance, you'll help shape bold solutions for clients who expect something more than the ordinary.

About the team

Investec's Global Energy & Infrastructure Finance team provides innovative financing solutions across the North American energy, infrastructure and energy transition markets. Working with leading sponsors, asset managers, institutional investors, commercial banks and corporate clients, the team supports transactions across renewable energy, conventional power, digital infrastructure, midstream energy and wider infrastructure sectors.

This is a unique opportunity to join a growing and highly collaborative platform where legal professionals are fully integrated into the business. As Legal Counsel, you will work directly alongside bankers, credit professionals, operations teams and senior executives, playing a key role in the origination, structuring and execution of complex financing transactions.

You will also collaborate closely with colleagues across Investec's global Energy & Infrastructure teams, including London and Johannesburg.

What will I be doing?

As Legal Counsel, you will provide legal advice and transactional support across a broad range of financing activities, including:

• Advising on the origination, execution and closing of energy and infrastructure finance transactions.
• Supporting Investec's role as lender, arranger, bookrunner, administrative agent, collateral agent and letter of credit issuer.
• Advising on primary and secondary loan syndications.
• Supporting agency and operational activities including loan disbursements and letter of credit issuances.
• Reviewing and managing amendments, waivers, consents and ongoing portfolio matters.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating:
  • Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
  • Engagement and mandate letters
  • Fee letters
  • Reliance and non-reliance letters
  • Letters of credit
  • Loan payoff documentation
  • Financing and closing documentation
• Advising on legal issues arising from project and transaction due diligence.
• Coordinating with internal stakeholders, external legal counsel and specialist consultants across technical, environmental, engineering and insurance disciplines.
• Keeping the business informed of legal and regulatory developments impacting project finance and infrastructure financing.
• Supporting the implementation and testing of legal AI technologies to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Participating in client meetings, transaction negotiations and stakeholder discussions.
• Representing Investec at industry conferences, events and occasional international engagements.

What do I need to bring?

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active admission to the New York State Bar.
• Approximately 3-5 years' post-qualification experience gained within a leading law firm.
• Significant exposure to project finance, structured finance, leveraged finance, corporate finance or related financing transactions.
• Experience advising on energy, infrastructure or digital infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of financing structures utilised across:
  • Term Loan A and Term Loan B transactions
  • Tax equity and tax credit structures
  • Preferred equity investments
  • Cash equity investments
  • M&A transactions involving energy and infrastructure assets
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex legal matters independently while partnering effectively with business stakeholders.
• Excellent academic credentials and strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable experience includes:

• Tax equity, preferred equity or tax credit transferability transactions.
• Data centre development or construction financings.
• Restructuring, workout or distressed financing transactions.
• Experience gained in-house within an investment manager, infrastructure developer, bank or financial institution.

I am good at:

• Building trusted relationships with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Leading complex commercial discussions and negotiations.
• Analysing sophisticated financing structures and identifying practical solutions.
• Working across international teams and multiple jurisdictions.
• Managing competing priorities in a fast-paced deal environment.
• Communicating complex legal concepts clearly and commercially.
• Embracing innovation and leveraging technology, including AI tools, to improve outcomes and efficiency.
• Demonstrating curiosity, initiative and a collaborative approach to problem solving.

Embedded in our culture is a sense of belonging and inclusion. This creates an environment in which everyone is free to be themselves which helps to drive innovation, creativity and ultimately business performance. At Investec we want everyone to find it easy to be themselves, and to feel they belong. It's a responsibility we all share and is integral to our purpose and values as an organisation.

Research shows that some candidates can be reluctant to apply to a role unless they meet all the criteria. We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit here and welcome you to do the same - if the role excites you, please don't let our person specification hold you back. Get in touch!

Recite Me

We commit to ensure that everyone is fairly assessed during our recruitment process. To assist candidates in completing their application form, Recite Me assistive technology is available on our Careers pages. This can be accessed by clicking on the 'Accessibility Options' link at the top of the page.

The Recite Me tool includes a screen reader, styling and customisation options, a series of reading aids, a translator and more.

If you have any form of disability or neurodivergent need and require further assistance in completing your application, please contact the Careers team at [email protected] who will be happy to assist.