Senior Contracts Commercial Advisor

Where you fit in

Shell Trading & Supply integrates a worldwide trading network with an unsurpassed global portfolio in crude oil, refined oil products, natural gas, electrical power and environmental products, from its main locations in London, Houston, Calgary, Singapore, Dubai, Rotterdam, and The Bahamas. Shell Trading & Supply (T&S) is one of the world’s largest energy traders and is a key part of the Royal Dutch Shell portfolio.

The T&S Contracts Team is part of Commercial Operations and provides a commercially driven service to the trading teams within T&S. The Contracts Team is an energetic and fast-paced evolving environment, where people are encouraged to play an active role in shaping the way the business is run, whilst adhering to the compliance framework across the business; as such, key to this posting is the ability to be strategic, flexible, adaptable, open-minded, goal-orientated, and control framework conscious.

What’s the role?

Shell Energy - Europe and Africa Gas & Power and Environmental Products (SE-EA) markets and trades natural gas and power across Europe and manages Shell's environmental products business globally. SE-EA's counterparties include major resource holders of gas, upstream producers, investment banks, trading houses, utilities, power generators and large industrial and commercial gas and power users.

The SE-EA Contracts team supports the SE-EA trading business and is responsible for managing the entire trading contracts process from drafting and negotiating agreements through to timely confirmation and reporting of individual trades.

The primary purpose of the Senior Commercial Advisor position is to draft and/or review agreements required to enable SE-EA's deal opportunities, negotiate these agreements directly with counterparties and manage internal approvals as necessary for document execution.

More specific responsibilities include:

• Provide accurate pre and post deal commercial and contractual advice to the SE-EA trading business, including for new Customer Values Propositions, Deal Approval Forms and other strategic opportunities. This will require a thorough understanding of SE-EA’s commercial business needs and control frameworks as well as the value of the company’s reputation and customer satisfaction.
• Take ownership and accountability for the negotiation of both standardised and complex agreements, working closely with the Legal, Credit, Tax and Finance functions, as well as Trading, Operations and Business Development, to secure terms that maximise value, mitigate contractual exposures and minimise profit leakage.
• Work with cross-functional teams looking to make process improvements that increase efficiency and minimise risks across SE-EA. Manage the implementation of new processes within the Contracts team.
• Support the SE-EA trading business and Contracts team through advice and, where required, intervention to ensure compliance with the Shell Control Framework including SOX controls, Contractual Allocation of Risk Framework (CARF) and Manual of Authorities (MOA).
• Act as a gatekeeper for setting up contracts in trade capture systems.
• Maintain accurate records of agreements in negotiation and ensure executed agreements are stored in accordance with Group Records Management Policy.
• Assist in maintaining a contract and clause database, as well as manage an efficient status reporting mechanism.

What we need from you

We are keen to hear from individuals with relevant experience in a role that is dedicated to drafting, analysing, and negotiating commodity contracts. You’ll also bring in your technical knowledge in European Gas, Power and Environmental Products contracts (product based Master Agreements such as ISDAs and EFETs, Bespoke Contracts, Storage Agreements, Netting Agreements, Credit Support Documentation etc..

We also hope you possess the following skills and/or experience:

• Strong negotiation skills, including the ability to apply different techniques depending on the situation.
• Highly skilled at stakeholder management at all levels of the internal organization and with external parties on a tactical level. Knowledge of the operational requirements in a life of a deal and ability to leverage strong working relationships with functional areas involved in the pre-deal contract process. 
• Ability to analyse commercial and contractual structures and communicate clear recommendations on risks and opportunities, using sound commercial judgement.
• Ability to thoroughly explain contractual terms and Shell’s position to customers and other internal stakeholders. 
• Ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities to meet internal and external deadlines.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to a team-based working environment with the ability to collaborate within team and as part of the wider organisation, openly sharing views and perspectives and encouraging others to share opinions.
• Sound knowledge of the Contractual Allocation of Risk Framework principles, including limitation of liability, indemnification, insurance, and pollution liability clauses, and able to complete all CARF requirements for relevant contracts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.  Proven interpersonal skills, strong reading comprehension and excellent analytical ability.
• Ability to identify risks and inefficiencies in existing processes, solve problems and implement improvements.
• Knowledge of energy market fundamentals, risk management and regulations.

Characteristics/Attributes:

• Lead among peers, comfortable to challenge and escalate as needed.
• Strong team player who operates transparently and effectively across functions, trading and with management.
• Understands all aspects and viewpoints with ability to effectively influence/negotiate toward productive outcomes.
• Understands legal contracts and landscape.

If you don't see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on the posting above, we still encourage you to reach out and apply. Research has shown that not everyone often applies when they don’t feel 100% qualified. We are committed to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and diverse company and we strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply. We look forward to receiving your application.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Shell started operations in the United Kingdom more than 110 years ago. Since then, we have grown into a leading innovative Oil & Energy company that rewards its employees by investing heavily in their careers and learning. Our people are our greatest asset, and our commitment to your career will see you thrive in a work environment that offers an industry-leading development programme. When your ideas travel, Shell will benefit, and innovation will thrive. Shell has a key role to play in helping meet the UK’s growing energy demand, whilst using innovative technologies to develop cleaner energy. We are the largest FTSE 100 company in the UK by market capitalisation and make a significant contribution to the UK economy. As well as processing 35% of the gas coming into the UK, we serve more than four million customers at our filling stations each week. Shell employs some 6,400 skilled staff as well as many contractors.

An innovative place to work

There’s never been a more exciting time to work at Shell.

Join us and you’ll be adding your talent and imagination to a business with the ambition to shape the future – whether by investing in oil, gas and renewable energy to meet demand, exploring new ways to store energy, or developing technology that helps the world to use energy more efficiently, everyone at Shell does their part.

An inclusive place to work

To power progress, we need to attract and develop the brightest minds and make sure every voice is heard. Here are just some of the ways we are nurturing an inclusive environment – one where you can express your ideas, extend your skills, and reach your potential.

• We’re creating a space where people with disabilities can excel through transparent recruitment process, workplace adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Feel free to let us know about your circumstances when you apply, and we’ll take it from there.
• We’re closing the gender gap – whether that’s through action on equal pay or by enabling more women to reach senior roles in engineering and technology.
• We’re striving to be a pioneer of an inclusive and diverse workplace, promoting equality for employees regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
• We consider ourselves a flexible employer and want to support you finding the right balance. We encourage you to discuss this with us in your application.

A rewarding place to work

Combine our creative, collaborative environment and global operations with an impressive range of benefits and joining Shell becomes an inspired career choice.

We’re huge advocates for career development. We’ll encourage you to try new roles and experience new settings. By pushing people to reach their potential, we frequently help them find skills they never knew they had, or make career moves they never thought possible.