Legal Counsel - Corporate, Finance and M&A

Join us, be part of more. We're so much more than an energy company. We're a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. We're energisers. One team of 21,000 colleagues that's energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn't rely on fossil fuels, whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities. Here, you can find more purpose, more passion, and more potential. That's why working here is . We do energy differently - we do it all. We make it, store it, move it, sell it, and mend it.We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Counsel - Corporate, Finance and M&A to join Centrica as part of its Legal, Regulatory, Ethics, Compliance and Secretariat (LRECS) function. The Corporate, Finance and M&A Legal team plays a key role in supporting Centrica's strategy by providing legal advice across: M&A transactions, joint ventures and investments within the energy generation, storage, trading and retail sectors. General corporate matters. The Group's debt financing programme. The Group's pension schemes. The team comprises four lawyers and works closely with the Centrica Leadership Team and the Group M&A, Treasury and Pensions teams, as well as colleagues across the wider business and LRECS function.

Location and Contract

Location: This role is full time and will be based in our Reading head office (from Jan 2027). It can be performed either on site or through hybrid working where team members are expected to attend the office at least two days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the Group M&A team and business units on acquisitions, disposals, equity investments and joint ventures, including by: assisting with the review, negotiation and drafting of transaction documentation, including share purchase agreements, subscription agreements, shareholders' agreements, disclosure letters and transitional services agreements; and supporting transaction execution, including due diligence, disclosure processes and signing and completion activities.
• Providing legal support to Centrica's portfolio of smaller innovation and investment activities.
• Supporting the Group Treasury team on bank facilities, bond issuances, trade finance facilities, FX and interest rate derivatives and related compliance matters.
• Advising on pensions related matters, including governance, funding and security arrangements.
• Managing relationships with external counsel and supporting budget and billing processes.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives, knowledge sharing and precedent development within the team.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across Centrica and participating in the wider LRECS community, including on learning, wellbeing, volunteering and inclusion initiatives.

Qualifications

• An England & Wales qualified lawyer with experience gained in corporate and/or finance teams in private practice or through corporate and/or finance work in house. Energy sector experience is advantageous but not essential. Pensions experience is not essential.
• A strong desire to continue developing your corporate, finance and broader legal skills within an in house environment.
• The ability to work collaboratively with senior lawyers on larger, more complex transactions whilst progressively taking ownership of your own matters and projects.
• Sound commercial judgement and a practical, solutions focused approach to legal advice.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high quality work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain legal issues clearly and concisely.
• A collaborative, proactive approach and flexibility to support transaction activity and business needs as required.

EEO Statement

We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate the skills, experience and potential required to succeed in the role.

Company Culture & Invite to Visit

Why should you apply?We're not a perfect place - but we're a people place. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. Life is about so much more than work. We get it. That's why we've designed our total rewards to give you the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, making sure that you and your family are supported not only financially, but physically and emotionally too.Visit the link below to discover why we're a great place to work and what being part of more means for you.

If you're full of energy, fired up about sustainability, and ready to craft not only a better tomorrow, but a better you, then come and find your purpose in a team where your voice matters, your growth is non negotiable, and your ambitions are our priority. Help us, help you. We would love for you to share any information about yourself throughout our recruitment process so that we can better understand you and help shape your journey.

We're a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. When it comes to energy, no one does it like us. We make it, store it, move it, sell it and mend it. We're made up of 12 different businesses, but united by our purpose as Centrica. We're energisers. Our journey to a greener, fairer future is powered by individuals like you. Through innovative green products, intelligent energy solutions and developing smarter ways to use and save energy, we're not just part of the energy transition, we're leading it. Our commitment goes beyond sustainability. Together we're bringing our collective energies to create positive change in our local communities. If you immerse yourself in our fight to change tomorrow, you might just find your why. We're looking for people to add to our culture - not fit in with it. We're building a community where you can be unapologetically you, where differences are celebrated, and where everyone can belong. Real inclusivity also means supporting the different realities our people face. That's why we have the UK's best Carers Policy and are continually building our approach to flexibility and wellbeing. Of course, we love having fun too. We're a people place after all.