Legal Counsel - VR/30603

Join a global energy leader as Legal Counsel based in Uxbridge in West London. Support high-impact international projects, advise on complex cross-border agreements, and drive compliance across diverse jurisdictions. Ideal for a qualified Solicitor with energy sector experience, strong communication skills, and a global mindset. Fluency in additional languages is advantageous but not essential.

Company Overview

• A global energy company with businesses in Asia, Africa, Americas, Middle East and Europe. The company is committed to building a safe, healthy and sustainable energy development model. At present, they are moving steadily towards the goal of becoming a world-class energy company with a global vision, global strategy and global compliance operation.
• Their successful growth as an oil and gas producer has been achieved by consistently finding and developing world-class assets.
• The business is focused on safely exploring and producing from conventional offshore, unconventional and oil sands assets.
• The group of companies, which span the entire energy supply chain, our size and capability create a competitive advantage that ensures we deliver long-term value.
• Our growth strategy is to safely and sustainably develop our high-quality portfolio to deliver energy for all.
• The company take pride in the corporate culture. They foster an ethical, responsible and safety-first mindset to build trust among our stakeholders. Bold ideas, diverse perspectives and the determination to fuel our success are what set us apart.
• Working for us means no matter what you do, you can make an immediate impact.
• The company is one of the largest and most reputable oil producers in the UK North Sea and holds material interests in world-class discoveries across South America and Africa.
• The business strategy is to maximise the value of our existing portfolio while creating new opportunities for further global growth.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The company are seeking a Legal Counsel to join the International Legal Team based in Uxbridge. As part of the group, this role provides legal support and advice to some of the most important and significant energy projects around the world, including host government negotiations, joint venture agreements, acquisition and divestment agreements, material commercial contracts, compliance issues and potential disputes.
• The role is primarily focussed on conventional oil and gas, although there may be some scope to support on the company’s net zero activities. The individual will support several business groups across the organisation and will be fully integrated within the International Legal, Compliance and Corporate Governance Team.

The Legal Counsel will report to the Managing Counsel – International and provide support to key stakeholders across the business, including:

• Supporting the company’s International’s growth strategy by advising on confidentiality agreements, data purchase agreements, AMIs, joint bidding arrangements, host government contracts and joint operating agreements.
• Demonstrating efficient project and transaction management, with a high level of cultural intelligence, of multiple stakeholders and clients located across London, Beijing, Houston, Guyana and Africa.
• Conducting legal and compliance due diligence on potential opportunities to identify the company’s International’s material rights and obligations and ensuring that effective compliance plans are in place for all new country entries.
• Advising on regulatory and compliance issues in relation to production sharing contracts, local law compliance and global anti-bribery and corruption standards with a particular focus on common law jurisdictions in Africa and South America.
• Reviewing and negotiating key upstream agreements such as construction and tie in agreements, transportation and processing agreements and lifting agreements.
• Reviewing and negotiating material commercial contracts by providing legal and commercial support to the global supply chain function, in relation to procurement for production and development operations.
• Where necessary, instructing and ensuring effective use of external advisers and law firms.

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

The company are particularly interested in you if you have the following skills and knowledge:

• You will have prior demonstratable legal experience of advising complex cross-border transactions or projects, ideally within the energy industry.
• A qualified Solicitor, in England and Wales/Scotland, you will have several years post qualification experience that demonstrate your ability to work with a degree of independence and your ability to handle a busy and diverse workload.
• Demonstrated ability to balance legal risks with business risks and communicate effectively to clients.
• Confidence and capability to ensure efficient project management and, where appropriate, provide commercial guidance on deal structuring and key value items.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in cross functional teams and adapt to multiple cultures.
• Strong team player.
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel).
• Ability to prioritise, multi-task and work independently.
• French, Portuguese, Spanish or Chinese language skills are desirable, but not essential.
• Prior experience of working in-house or overseas is desirable, but not essential.