Senior Counsel – Project Development

Senior Counsel – Project Development

Houston, TX | Legal Department

Talen Energy’s Legal team partners across the organization to enable strategic growth and manage risk in a complex, highly regulated environment. In this role, you will serve as a primary legal partner to Corporate Development while supporting broader business initiatives across the organization. You will play a critical role in supporting high-value initiatives across the full lifecycle of energy projects, from early-stage development through construction, financing, and commercial operation. You’ll work in a collaborative environment, providing practical legal guidance that directly impacts business outcomes.

How You’ll Power the Future

At Talen Energy, your work directly supports safe, reliable power generation. In this role, you’ll move beyond day‑to‑day contributions to drive meaningful change by: 

• Advising Corporate Development and business teams on strategic projects and transactions

• Supporting the full lifecycle of project development, including site control, construction, financing, and operations

• Identifying legal risks and delivering clear, practical, business-oriented recommendations

• Formulating and delivering timely, high-quality legal advice to business stakeholders

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements aligned to business objectives

• Supporting structuring and execution of major transactions and project arrangements

• Managing outside counsel to ensure efficient and high-quality legal support

• Contributing to mergers, acquisitions, and financing activities

• Supporting development of policies and frameworks for new and evolving business initiatives

• Ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and regulatory requirements

• Communicating effectively across all levels of the organization

• Partnering cross-functionally to drive alignment and execution across the organization

• Operating with a high degree of integrity and alignment to company values and ethical standards

What You Have

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from an accredited institution with strong academic credentials

• 5–6+ years of relevant experience in commercial, corporate, or transactional legal practice

• Active bar admission in the primary work location (Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, or DC preferred)

• Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements (EPC, development, PPAs, JV/LLC, O&M, NDAs)

• Strong knowledge of project development legal considerations (real estate, construction, mineral/water rights)

• Experience supporting complex transactions and cross-functional initiatives

• Ability to independently manage legal matters and prioritize effectively

• Experience managing outside counsel

• Working knowledge of mergers & acquisitions and financing

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of training at a nationally or regionally recognized law firm

• 2-3 years of corporate (in-house) experience

• Knowledge of and experience advising companies in the power generation industry.

• Familiarity with regulated markets (e.g., ISO/PJM)

• Experience supporting new business ventures or policy development

Why Talen Energy?

Power the Future

Talen Energy is one of the largest competitive energy and power generation companies in North America. We operate power plants that use diverse fuel sources in the most attractive wholesale power markets and sell energy to wholesale and retail customers in selected competitive markets. Our passion for excellence grows value through safe and efficient operations. We have an inclusive, diverse, respectful, and collaborative workplace, and a strong commitment to innovation, teamwork, and integrity. We generate energy for a brighter tomorrow.

Collaboration

Our passion for excellence grows value through safe and efficient operations. We have an inclusive, diverse, respectful, and collaborative workplace. Talen Energy offers an exceptional benefits program to its employees, including comprehensive health, dental, vision, prescription plans, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k), and competitive paid time off.

Talen Energy offers an exceptional benefits program to its employees. Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, vision, prescription plans, life insurance, and disability insurance.  In addition