Head of Legal

Crux is a sustainable finance technology company revolutionizing the financing landscape for clean energy and decarbonization projects in the United States. The company’s first offering is the ecosystem where buyers, sellers, and intermediaries transact and manage transferable tax credits.

Crux is co-founded by Alfred Johnson and Allen Kramer, who previously founded and exited the successful marketplace software company, Mobilize. Rob Parker serves as Chief Commercial Officer, leveraging over 20 years of experience in the power industry, most recently serving as CFO at REV Renewables. Crux has built a world-class team from diverse and relevant sectors, including energy, finance, government, and technology, united in their mission to make sustainable finance more efficient and interconnected. Since its launch in 2023, Crux has raised $27 million in funding from venture capital and strategic investors.

Who we’re looking for

We are adding a Head of Legal to turn our legal function into a key asset of the company. This role will report to Crux CEO, Alfred Johnson.

Together, we are building a company where we:

Care for each other: We are a team where people support each other - in their growth, in their work, and towards this shared mission.

Build and improve rapidly: We optimize for pace of learning, iteration, and growth. Nobody will move faster than us.

Focus unremittingly on the needs of those financing the energy transition: Nothing we do matters if we do not add value to everyone who works tirelessly to finance the energy transition.

Demonstrate ownership: We are all owners of Crux. This is our team, our company, our product.

Convene a team that reflects the breadth of experiences in the country: We expect everyone on the team to actively help us build a team where people of all backgrounds can thrive.

What you’ll do

Guide Legal Strategy: Drive legal strategy, offering insights that contribute to the company's growth and risk management strategies. Reduce complexity and prioritize the most important work for the company.

Legal and Compliance Framework: Ensure that all company legal documents, including contracts, agreements, and policies, are cohesive, internally consistent, credible, and user-friendly. Develop and control compliance processes and documentation.

Document Negotiation and Review: Collaborate closely with our Markets & Transactions team. Lead the creation, review, and negotiation of significant legal documents, such as Tax Credit Transfer Agreements, Cloud Services Agreements, and various commercial contracts, ensuring they reflect market evolution and company standards.

Product Input: Closely integrate with the Engineering, Product, and Design team, collaboratively working to stay updated on the technical infrastructure architecture underlying Company’s products and identify solutions to related potential legal issues. Provide ideas, solutions and insights on Company’s existing and new products that meaningfully impact our customers.

Standardization: Help drive the industry toward the development and acceptance of more standard legal documents through industry collaboration, friendly negotiation, and regulatory insights.

Regulatory Compliance and Strategy: Stay abreast of relevant regulatory changes, particularly those relating to energy finance tax work and financial products, assessing their potential impact on the business and guiding strategic compliance. Craft a strategic approach to proactive policy engagement for issues materially relevant to Crux.

Risk Management: Provide proactive, business-focused legal advice to mitigate risks and ensure the company's operations are fully compliant with current laws and regulations.

Corporate Governance: Maintain corporate records, handle HR and other corporate compliance issues, and lead internal legal work related to corporate finance.

External Counsel Management: Manage external legal counsel as necessary, ensuring their advice and services align with the company's needs and objectives.

Process and Protocol Development: Develop and maintain systems for document version control, notice obligations for Terms of Service changes, non-disclosure agreement expiration/coverage, and all other legal processes. Help scale Company’s legal function by developing and maintaining contracting and legal operations playbooks, contract templates and libraries, and other tools.

Business Development and Partnerships: Develop strong relationships with lawyers across the industry to source referrals to Crux. Work with the Head of Partnerships to develop standard legal offerings for Crux clients.

Who you are

Experience: At least 10 years of legal experience, preferably with prior experience in an internal corporate legal role, and with some mix of software, finance, tax, and/or energy project finance experience.

Commercial judgment: you are able to balance commercial imperatives with prudent risk management.

Startup Experience. Understanding of the turns in the road that are naturally part of the early stage experience.

Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in product counseling and commercial law, with a strong foundation in contract review and negotiation, especially in financial agreements.

Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of regulatory frameworks related to financial products and energy, with the ability to anticipate changes and adapt strategies accordingly.

Analytical Skills: Exceptional ability to analyze legal documents and regulatory guidance, ensuring both accuracy and accessibility for non-expert audiences.

Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex legal concepts clearly and providing business-focused legal advice.

Leadership: Strong leadership qualities, with the ability to manage legal projects, coordinate with external counsel, and contribute to strategic planning.

Adaptability: A proactive and adaptable mindset, ready to handle the evolving legal needs of a fast-paced, innovative company operating in an evolving regulatory environment.

What we offer

Estimated cash compensation of $230-250

Competitive equity package.

Healthcare benefits, including vision, dental, and partial dependent coverage.

Remote-first company.

Travel stipend to get the team together at least once a quarter.

We are excited to meet you!

We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.