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Sparkfund is an energy technology platform company based in Washington, D.C. We give customers access to essential building energy functions and outcomes — like conditioned air, light, and resiliency to emergency power outages — in structures that best fit their needs. Our options range from fully managed subscriptions where we handle everything from install to ongoing maintenance and repairs, to simple installations for customers who prefer to manage systems themselves, to monitoring of existing equipment for fault detection and replacement recommendation. We enable our customers to focus on their core businesses. We strive to create positive change by deploying solutions that are good for business and are good for the planet. We’re building a diverse and collaborative culture to help us achieve all of that.

Sparkfund is hiring a dynamic and skilled mid-level lawyer for the position of Senior Corporate Counsel or Corporate Counsel (commensurate with experience) to support our commercial team, from deal planning to execution of a customer contract, This candidate will have to consider creative approaches to contracting, including introducing new contract structures and reconfiguring existing contract structures to fit new customer opportunities in a fast-paced environment. This candidate will have autonomy and independence while being fully supported by collegial, smart, and driven colleagues. We’re looking for an attorney with experience working with commercial transactions, preferably transactions related to financing, leasing, building energy systems, and/or construction, who has a knack for thinking outside the box and who can balance legal excellence with achieving Sparkfund’s business goals.

As Senior Corporate Counsel / Corporate Counsel, you will report to our VP of Legal. We would look for you to address immediate issues diligently and creatively, supporting the in-house Legal function by developing and maintaining templates and processes that reflect our learnings and support our fellow colleagues. To this end, you will represent the Legal team across the company to solve for customer needs. You will also provide training and create solutions to enhance consistency, standardization, and accuracy. You will play a critical role in developing the legal architecture of the company by refining and applying our philosophy and approach to contracts, processes, documentation, and negotiation strategies.

Here’s what you’ll get to do:

• Draft and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements, including:
• Customer contracts such as leases, loans, “as a service” subscriptions, and service agreements
• Vendor contracts such as supply contracts, master service agreements, job addenda, and operation and maintenance agreements
• Enterprise level agreements with strategic partners
• Engage with customers to solve complex problems in support of commercial objectives while focusing on Sparkfund’s business goals
• Update and maintain Sparkfund legal best practices, including developing procedures to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulatory requirements, and contracts
• Maintain robust and well-documented version control and change control systems for Sparkfund contracts and train and communicate changes to internal and external stakeholders
• Review standard documents drafted by internal stakeholders before distribution to external parties
• Help lead the development of contract automation in collaboration with Sparkfund’s commercial and technology teams

What you’ll need to be successful:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree; membership in good standing in a state bar (preferably in Washington, DC or having reciprocity with Washington, DC)
• 3+ years of legal experience after law school, to include drafting and negotiating complex documents in the commercial finance space, especially leases, loans, and subscription and service agreements
• Experience in commercial building technologies, energy efficiency, and/or vendor or contractor negotiations, is a plus
• Ability to quickly understand complex business models and multiple stakeholders’ interests
• Client management experience
• Ability to make recommendations confidently to Sparkfund’s business leaders on contract negotiations
• Strong analytical skills, including in contract and other legal issues
• Experience in analyzing risk and developing risk mitigation strategies
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects within a fast-paced environment
• Effective communication,written and verbal, to explain and advise executive leadership, and broadly communicate with internal and external stakeholders who do not have a legal background
• Process-oriented to not only follow structures but build them to improve efficiency, accuracy, speed, and ease of use
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and uncertainty and effectively navigate unanticipated challenges - startups typically experience rapid change, and a corresponding ability to adapt is expected
• Flexibility to roll up your sleeves and chip in wherever you are needed in our startup environment
• A positive outlook that makes you a valuable teammate

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and stock option plans - we believe in radical shared ownership.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, and dental insurance; pre-tax commuter benefits; disability and life insurance
• We honor all of the federal holiday and believe in long weekends. Sparkfund is closed every Friday before a Monday holiday as well.
• 8 weeks gender-neutral paid leave for caregivers when they have a new addition to their families.

You can be a great candidate even if you don't fit everything we've described above. You can also have important skills we haven't thought of. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. We are dedicated to environmental stewardship and recognize we need diverse perspectives to successfully tackle this massive challenge. To change the world, we must first change ourselves, which is why Sparkfund has created a space that sources viewpoints from people who look and think differently.

We are committed to diversity and building an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experiences, and we're taking steps to meet that commitment.

We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, veterans, and people with disabilities.