Senior Legal Counsel, Global Legal, Construction & Power (US/Japan Focus)

Make an impact at NTT Global Data Centers

Join NTT Global Data Centers and be part of a team that drives innovation and sustainability in the digital world. With over 150 data centers across more than 20 countries globally, we offer unparalleled opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology and transformative projects. Experience a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive workplace where your ideas are valued, and your growth is supported.

Your role at a glance

- There will be a high degree of autonomy within the role but ultimately working as part of the wider legal team and under the supervision and guidance of - and reporting to - the Senior Director, Legal, within the Global Construction & Power legal pillar.
- The Senior Legal Counsel is an experienced professional with excellent experience, knowledge and understanding of construction and power legal issues and related regulatory law within the data center sector.
- Consistent with the vertical functional alignment of the legal team, the role will be global, but with a particular focus on the US and Japan markets. The ideal candidate will be based in the US and will have had exposure to large US and/or Japan data center deals.
- The business is witnessing a significant period of expansion, including in the pursuit of +1GW megadeals, with the ambition of delivering +5GW of additional capacity over the next 5 years. The expectation will be that this role will support in the delivery of all such pursuits.
- Experience acting on large MW/GW megadeals within the US/Japan will be preferred.
- The internal deal team is spread between the US and UK. A US candidate will be preferred.
- This role will provide legal advice on US/Japan construction, power and regulatory matters, including EPCs, ESAs, utility tariffs, PPAs and interconnection agreements. Advise on utility regulations and support large-scale power procurement processes and load interconnection for capital-intensive data center infrastructure projects. Asses contractual, regulatory and commercial risk and provide practical guidance to the business, engineering and finance stakeholders.

What we are looking for

KEY responsibilities

• Provides legal support to the business on all forms of construction and power agreements, including (but not limited to) ESAs, interconnection agreements, PPAs (utility, wholesale and behind-the-meter), heat & waste re-use/management, transmission and distribution agreements, substation design & EPC construction contracts.
• Advising on large-load customer connection requests, cluster studies, phased energization and load ramp-up (including vis-à-vis customer contract commitments), cost responsibility for network upgrades and curtailment/interruption/reliability provisions.
• Clearly provide support to and advise the business on jurisdiction-specific ‘take-or-pay’ risk and ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ provisions.
• Support the business with due diligence processes on large site acquisitions and ‘pathway to power’ discussions.
• Provides legal oversight and reporting for all construction and power contractual and regulatory issues affecting data center construction and connection requests across the US (and Japan).
• Liaise with and closely support cross-functional teams (including Construction, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Procurement) on relevant construction, power and regulatory issues.
• Responsible for identifying/assessing/developing mitigations for, risk presented by construction and power contracts across NTT GDC to meet business CAPEX commitments and client SLA commitments. Horizon scanning for regulatory issues affecting NTT GDC delivery or obtaining of power in the US (and Japan).
• Advises company ELT & management on complex matters, using persuasion in delivering messages, with the ability to adapt style to differing audiences and often advises others on difficult matters, including potential risks in contractual, regulatory, compliance, financial, and legal areas.

KNOWLEDGE & ATTRIBUTES

• Deep understanding of the US (and ideally Japanese) data center market, including construction, power, utility and regulatory issues.
• Ability to assess regulatory approval risk, unique challenges inside the US (and Japan) market and timing impacts on projects.
• Working knowledge of utility markets and pathway to power inside of the US/Japan (i.e. TSOs/DSOs arrangements).
• Experience engaging with Japanese utility providers (TEPCO PG/KEPCO, Chubu, etc.) would be beneficial.
• Candidate will also be familiar with utility-scale and/or corporate renewable PPAs (solar, wind, storage), virtual PPAs, clean energy tax credits, RECs, green tariffs and decarbonization strategies.
• Self-starter, well organized, effectively manages stress in a fast-paced environment and produces consistent, positive results, calmly under deadline pressure.
• Strong fluent written and verbal English communication skills. Demonstrates strong judgment and willingness to give clear, practical answers.
• Superb attention to detail; good organizational, communication and multitasking skills.
• Ability to operate with imperfect information and moving regulatory targets.
• Ability to work well both independently (on a remote basis) and as part of a highly collaborative cross-jurisdictional team working across multiple timezones.
• Applies broad experience and professional knowledge to develop and resolve complex issues in creative ways, to deliver distilled and robust legal and commercial advice.
• Strong and calm tactical decision-maker, handles unforeseen issues.
• Developed business acumen, and the ability to combine legal and business analysis and judgment in a practical manner.
• Recognizes cultural norms and practices inside of Japan.
• Recognised internally as a subject matter expert with the ability to work on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles.
• Extended knowledge of the unique power issues affecting the data center sector.
• Ability to work in an international team environment and interact with all levels of management, including C-Suite reviews. Strong executive presence – able to convey complex and technical concepts to a non-construction audience.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS

• Fluent English is mandatory. Japanese fluency would be a distinct advantage.
• Juris doctorate, bachelor’s degree in law from an accredited US law school, international diploma or relevant international legal equivalent certification.
• Good command of standard IT platforms.
• Current active member of the legal bar in good standing.
• Relevant industry qualification, certification and/or accreditation in construction/power bodies or organisations considered a positive (but not mandatory).

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum eight (8+) years relevant industry, private practice and/or inhouse experience or relevant work.
• Job-related experience must be relevant for position, either law firm (construction/power/regulatory practice) or inhouse (EPC, utility, developer, infrastructure, or large consumer role).
• Extended experience in data center or similar mission critical facilities construction is desirable, although not mandatory.
• Prior work for or with Japanese multi-nationals would be a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Remain stationary for long periods of time, with focus on desk and computer work.
• Operate computer, peripherals, and other office equipment.
• Perform work during standard US business hours (or other applicable remote location) and time zones as well as flexibly across international timezones (as required by the business, but particularly with Japan (recognizing that the focus of this role is on US/Japan projects and so some flexibility to accommodate timezones will be necessary) as necessary).

Work conditions & other requirements

• 100% remote working.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required (unlikely to be more than 2x annually).
• Perform work from a remote location with stable internet connection.

Compensation Pay Range

"This is a remote position that requires reliable internet connection and electricity. A monthly stipend is provided to cover expenses associated with working remotely and use of a personal mobile device.
NTT Global Data Centers Americas, Inc. offers competitive compensation based on experience, education, and location. Base salary for this position is $175,000.00 - $220,000.00.
All regular full-time employees are eligible for an annual bonus; payout is dependent upon individual and company performance.
Employees receive paid time-off, medical, dental, and vision benefits, life and supplemental insurance, short-term and long-term disability, flexible spending account, and 401k retirement plan to create a rich Total Rewards package.”

Who we are

As the third largest data center provider, we operate over 150 data centers in more than 20 countries and regions. We understand that every business – large and small – has its own unique needs and goals. We offer local-to-global data center expertise, aligned with our connected platform of AI-ready data centers to create solutions that enable our clients to seamlessly scale their digital businesses, anywhere and anytime.

NTT Global Data Centers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer with a global culture that embraces diversity. We are committed to providing an environment free of unfair discrimination and harassment. We do not discriminate based on age, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, disability, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected category. Join our growing global team and accelerate your career with us. Apply today.