Who we are: Ceres is leading the way in clean energy innovation, pioneering advancements in electrolysis for green hydrogen production and fuel cells for future power solutions. With our dynamic licensing model, we've built powerful partnerships with major multinational companies like Bosch, Doosan, Shell, and Weichai and our solid oxide platform is transforming energy systems, delivering high-efficiency green hydrogen to decarbonise some of the most emissions-heavy industries including steelmaking, and future fuels. At Ceres, we foster a workplace driven by passion and purpose. We support our team to think ambitiously, collaborate creatively and confront complex challenges directly. Innovation is at the core of who we are, and we strive to push the boundaries of what’s possible with technology. Purpose of the role: The Senior Legal Counsel plays a pivotal role in the Legal function, supporting and enabling the company’s strategy. With a complex technology licensing model at the core of the business, the role offers an interesting and varied workload and demands strategic, commercially focussed and practical legal advice. This is a unique opportunity to work in a highly collaborative, innovative, and fast-paced function and business environment. Key Accountabilities: • Provide commercial and corporate legal support across the company, always through a commercially focussed lens and offering pragmatic, risk-based advice. • Support business growth plans, providing legal support in cross-functional deal teams for significant transactions and projects. • Negotiate (and, where appropriate, lead negotiations), draft, and review a wide range of commercial contracts, including technology, supply chain agreements, joint ventures and R&D collaborations. • Negotiate (and, where appropriate, lead negotiations), draft, and review complex IP licensing agreements (inbound and outbound), including licensing structures and royalty frameworks. • Ensure all contracts align with the company’s strategic and commercial objectives. • Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across commercial and licensing activities. • Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards in the U.K. and internationally. • Partner with internal functions, including commercial, business development, technology and finance, to align legal advice with business strategies. • Provide training and guidance to business functions on legal topics, including IP and contractual matters. • Contribute to the legal function’s transformation journey and legal operations activities. • Develop and maintain the legal function’s knowledge bank and toolkits • Actively monitor and report on relevant incoming legislation and case law. • Instruct and manage external counsel to ensure optimal service and value. • Develop and implement policies, processes and protocols in line with company and function strategies. • Support relevant PLC Board requirements and initiatives. Knowledge and skills required for the role: • U.K or European qualified solicitor or lawyer with strong post-qualification experience (including commercial law and IP licensing), either in-house (preferably in a tech or software business) or in private practice • Proven record of leading or significantly contributing to the successful completion of numerous transactions/projects/matters, including complex IP licensing agreements • Strong technical legal skills combined with commercial acumen and the ability to take a strategic, pragmatic view to deliver business-focused solutions • Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to provide concise advice on complex matters and effectively influence at all levels of the company • A proactive, collaborative mindset and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment, working collaboratively within a group of experienced and motivated lawyers • Ability to successfully prioritize tasks and work under pressure • Pragmatic, good judgment, proactive, curious, excellent attention to detail, open-minded, and low ego • Excited by technology and innovation, and comfortable in an IP-rich environment with colleagues who are leaders and experts in their fields • Desirable but not essential: o Experience within a listed company or a high-growth, technology-driven business o Familiarity with renewable energy, clean technology, or environmental sustainability sectors o Knowledge of competition law and its impact on IP licensing