Senior Legal Counsel, Global Legal, Construction & Power (US/Japan Focus)
NTT Global Data Centers · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $220,000 / year
- United States
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Job highlights
- Provide expert legal counsel on construction and power.
- Focus on US and Japan data center markets.
- Support large-scale megadeals and expansion.
- Work remotely with global teams.
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.
About the role
About 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
The Senior Legal Counsel is an experienced professional with excellent knowledge of construction and power legal issues and related regulatory law within the data center sector. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy, working as part of the wider legal team under the guidance of the Senior Director, Legal, within the Global Construction & Power legal pillar. The role is global but has a particular focus on the US and Japan markets. The ideal candidate will be based in the US and have exposure to large US and/or Japan data center deals. The business is experiencing significant expansion, including megadeals exceeding +1GW, with ambitions to deliver +5GW of additional capacity over the next 5 years, and this role will be crucial in supporting these pursuits.Key Responsibilities
- Provides legal support on all forms of construction and power agreements, including ESAs, interconnection agreements, PPAs, heat & waste re-use/management, transmission and distribution agreements, and substation design & EPC construction contracts.
- Advises on large-load customer connection requests, cluster studies, phased energization, load ramp-up, cost responsibility for network upgrades, and curtailment/interruption/reliability provisions.
- Provides support and advice on jurisdiction-specific ‘take-or-pay’ risk and ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ provisions.
- Supports due diligence processes on large site acquisitions and ‘pathway to power’ discussions.
- Provides legal oversight and reporting for construction and power contractual and regulatory issues affecting data center construction and connection requests across the US and Japan.
- Liaises with and supports cross-functional teams (Construction, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Procurement) on relevant issues.
- Identifies, assesses, and develops mitigations for risks presented by construction and power contracts to meet business CAPEX and client SLA commitments.
- Conducts horizon scanning for regulatory issues affecting NTT GDC delivery or power procurement in the US and Japan.
- Advises company ELT & management on complex matters, using persuasion and adapting communication style to different audiences, 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 within the US (and Japan) markets, and timing impacts on projects.
- Working knowledge of US/Japan utility markets and pathway to power (TSOs/DSOs arrangements).
- Experience engaging with Japanese utility providers (e.g., TEPCO PG/KEPCO, Chubu) is beneficial.
- Familiarity 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, and produces consistent results under deadline pressure.
- Strong fluent written and verbal English communication skills. Demonstrates strong judgment and willingness to provide clear, practical answers.
- Superb attention to detail; good organizational, communication, and multitasking skills.
- Ability to operate with imperfect information and evolving regulatory targets.
- Ability to work well independently and as part of a collaborative, cross-jurisdictional team across multiple time zones.
- Applies broad experience and professional knowledge to develop and resolve complex issues creatively, delivering distilled and robust legal and commercial advice.
- Strong, calm tactical decision-maker, adept at handling unforeseen issues.
- Developed business acumen, combining legal and business analysis and judgment practically.
- Recognizes cultural norms and practices within Japan.
- Subject matter expert capable of handling significant and unique issues requiring evaluation of intangibles.
- Extended knowledge of unique power issues affecting the data center sector.
- Strong executive presence – able to convey complex and technical concepts to non-construction audiences.
Academic Qualifications & Certifications
- Fluent English is mandatory. Japanese fluency is a distinct advantage.
- Juris doctor, bachelor’s degree in law from an accredited US law school, or equivalent international legal certification.
- Good command of standard IT platforms.
- Current active member of the legal bar in good standing.
Required Experience
- Minimum eight (8+) years of relevant industry, private practice, and/or in-house experience.
- Job-related experience in a law firm (construction/power/regulatory practice) or in-house (EPC, utility, developer, infrastructure, or large consumer role).
- Extended experience in data center or similar mission-critical facilities construction is desirable.
- Prior work for or with Japanese multi-nationals is a plus.
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 a stable internet connection and electricity.
- A monthly stipend is provided to cover remote working expenses.
Compensation
- Base salary for this position is $175,000.00 - $220,000.00.
- Eligible for an annual bonus (dependent on individual and company performance).
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time-off, medical, dental, vision, life and supplemental insurance, disability, flexible spending account, and 401k retirement plan.
About NTT Global Data Centers
As the third largest data center provider, we operate over 150 data centers in more than 20 countries and regions. We offer local-to-global data center expertise, aligned with our connected platform of AI-ready data centers.Key skills/competency
- Senior Legal Counsel
- Construction Law
- Power Law
- Regulatory Law
- Data Center Sector
- US Market
- Japan Market
- EPC Contracts
- PPAs
- Contract Negotiation
Skills & topics
- Senior Legal Counsel
- Construction Law
- Power Law
- Regulatory Law
- Data Center
- Legal Advisor
- EPC Contracts
- PPA Negotiation
- US Legal
- Japan Legal
- Remote Legal Jobs
- Infrastructure Law
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 8+ years of relevant legal experience in construction, power, or regulatory law, emphasizing data center or infrastructure projects. Quantify achievements.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Clearly articulate your expertise in US and Japan markets, specific deal experience (EPCs, PPAs), and understanding of data center regulatory nuances.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss complex legal scenarios, risk assessment, cross-cultural communication, and your strategic approach to advising diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrate global perspective: Showcase your ability to work effectively in a remote, cross-jurisdictional team, adapting to different time zones and cultural norms, especially concerning Japan.
Technical preparation
Master US/Japan construction and power regulations.,Deep dive into EPC, PPA, and interconnection agreements.,Review data center specific utility market structures.,Understand cross-border contract negotiation nuances.
Behavioral questions
Describe handling complex regulatory risk.,How do you advise C-suite on difficult matters?,Give an example of cross-cultural legal advice.,How do you manage stress under deadline pressure?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key legal areas for a Senior Legal Counsel at NTT Global Data Centers?
- The Senior Legal Counsel at NTT Global Data Centers will focus on construction and power legal issues, including EPC contracts, Energy Services Agreements (ESAs), Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), utility tariffs, interconnection agreements, and related regulatory law, with a specific emphasis on the US and Japan markets.
- Is this Senior Legal Counsel role remote or on-site?
- This Senior Legal Counsel position is 100% remote, offering flexibility to work from a home location with a stable internet connection. A monthly stipend is provided to cover associated expenses.
- What experience is required for the Senior Legal Counsel role?
- A minimum of eight years of relevant legal experience is required, ideally in private practice or in-house roles focusing on construction, power, or regulatory law within the data center, infrastructure, or utility sectors. Experience with US and Japan markets is highly preferred.
- What is the salary range for the Senior Legal Counsel position?
- The base salary for the Senior Legal Counsel position ranges from $175,000.00 to $220,000.00 annually, based on experience, education, and location. Employees are also eligible for an annual bonus.
- Does NTT Global Data Centers require Japanese language skills for this role?
- While fluent English is mandatory, Japanese fluency would be a distinct advantage for the Senior Legal Counsel role due to the focus on the Japan market. Familiarity with Japanese utility providers is also beneficial.
- What kind of projects will the Senior Legal Counsel support at NTT Global Data Centers?
- The Senior Legal Counsel will support significant, large-scale projects, including megadeals exceeding +1GW, as NTT Global Data Centers aims to deliver over 5GW of additional capacity in the next five years. This involves advising on major construction and power procurement for data center infrastructure.
- What are the main responsibilities of the Senior Legal Counsel?
- Key responsibilities include providing legal advice on construction and power agreements, advising on customer connections, managing contractual and regulatory risks, supporting due diligence for site acquisitions, liaising with cross-functional teams, and advising executive leadership on complex legal and commercial matters.