Associate Director, Infrastructure Finance and Programmes/Net Zero – Edinburgh

We are delighted to be instructed, as a sole agency, on this unique legal position with our client, Scottish Futures Trust (SFT). The Scottish Futures Trust is a government-owned infrastructure centre of excellence in Scotland, working to maximise the value of public infrastructure investments. It focuses on net-zero transitions, economic growth, and sustainable development by collaborating with public and private sectors to enhance infrastructure financing, procurement, and delivery.

The Role

SFT is seeking an experienced legal professional to join its Net Zero Buildings team. This team works closely with the Scottish Government to inform policy and support the development of net zero carbon infrastructure solutions as well as supporting SFT programmes and initiatives. The areas of focus for the Net Zero Buildings Team include, but are not limited to:

• Delivery of key aspects of the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, including public sector, private sector, non-domestic and domestic estate.
•  Supporting the scaling up and acceleration of public sector estate decarbonisation in order to meet Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions.
•  Innovative funding and financing models for delivery of Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions.
•  Supporting infrastructure programmes across SFT and Scottish Government which include for example the Heat Networks Support. Unit, Non-Domestic Energy Efficiency Framework, Green Growth Accelerator and Scottish Green Public Sector Estate Decarbonisation Scheme.
•  Supporting the development of longer-term delivery models, such as the work being undertaken via the Green Heat Finance Taskforce.

This role will work as part of an SFT team of net zero specialists drawn from a combination of legal, procurement, financial, and energy management backgrounds. They will also work closely with the organisation’s partners (Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland) as part of the Heat Network Support Unit.

The Candidate

The role will suit someone who is keen to get involved in a wide range of activity beyond the law, from informing policy to project delivery. We welcome applications from qualified lawyers with post-qualification experience gained in a projects or procurement role, ideally with private practice experience. Experience advising on the structuring and procurement of energy and/or infrastructure projects is essential for this opportunity, and an active interest in climate change legislation/energy/ environmental law would be very beneficial. The principal responsibilities of the role will be to –

• Progress the development and implementation of heat networks, in particular heat networks at scale.
• Work collaboratively as part of the Heat Network Support Unit, across the public sector and, with private sector consultants and contractors.
• Draw on legal and commercial skills and experience to provide considered input and advice on the development and delivery of heat network projects, adopting approaches that fit with stakeholder objectives and are aligned with Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions.
• Support projects throughout a project lifecycle but with a focus on the feasibility through to business case development, procurement and commercialisation.
• Support the development of delivery/funding and financing structures and supporting contracts/guidance.
• Share best practice and provide ‘critical friend’ support to procuring authorities developing heat network projects at scale.
• Develop and maintain key stakeholder relationships within the private and public sectors.
• Conduct research and analysis and prepare and deliver concise reports and presentations to senior management teams and colleagues.
• Share knowledge with SFT colleagues, those involved in public sector procurement and private sector contractors, about the commercial principles of heat networks and the wider decarbonisation agenda.
• Facilitate the setting up of, and oversee, governance arrangements where appropriate.

Based at SFT’s office at Haymarket in Edinburgh. SFT works flexibly, with an expectation that colleagues need to be in the office for meetings as required, but not full time

A competitive salary is available for the successful candidate along with market-leading benefits.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a lawyer looking to transition in-house or advance their in-house career within a supportive and dynamic environment. If you’re interested in this role, please get in touch with Cameron or Frasia for a confidential initial discussion. (Assignment 17004)

cameron@frasiawright.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-adrain-22a81627/

frasia@frasiawright.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/frasia-wright-6bbabba/