Chief Counsel (2017)

THE COMPANY

Aramco Trading Americas a subsidiary in the Aramco Trading group focused on commodity trading in the US.

POSITION:

Chief Counsel.  This position has a dual reporting line primarily into the Aramco Trading General Counsel as part of the Aramco Trading Global Legal Team, while also reporting into and advising the Company’s Managing Director.

JOB PURPOSE

The Chief Counsel is a member of the Management Team, leading the Company’s Legal Organization, and shall be responsible for the following:

• Managing the Company’s legal risks and all other legal affairs of the Company.
• Providing general counsel on strategy to the Management team.
• Leading, managing and supervising other counsel responsible for the legal protection and safeguarding of the Company’s interests and support of the functions, operations, responsibilities, and objectives of the business.
• Providing necessary support to ensure compliance with all legal and statutory requirements.
• Managing the Corporate Secretariat function.
• Engaging with other chief position holders in the Aramco Trading Global Legal Team, such to ensure consistency of advice.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

GENERAL AND SPECIFIC LEGAL ADVICE

Prepare or supervise the provision of advice, including strategic advice, on all legal matters and in all areas of law pertaining to the Company to ensure the legal interests and positions of the Company are adequately safeguarded and protected. Prepare and issue or supervise the provision and issuance of legal opinions and advice to Company management on current or potential legal matters.  This will require engagement with peers in or outside of the Company who are also chief position holders in the Aramco Trading Global Legal Team, such as the Associate General Counsels each responsible for a specific Practice Areas, to ensure consistency of advice.

LEGAL RISK ANALYSIS AND COMPLIANCE

Drive legal risk analysis and advise or supervise advice on solutions in response to these risks. Provide or supervise the provision of advice influencing business decisions and solutions, governance, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation from legal and business perspective in order to achieve maximization of shareholders’ value whilst ensuring a solid and defined legal strategy exists to avoid value leakage. Review, analyze and advise Company management, or supervise the provision thereof, on current legislation, treaties, laws and governmental regulations which pertain to the Company's operations.

COMMERCIAL LEGAL ADVISOR

Negotiate or participate, or supervise the negotiation or participation of counsel, as advisors to Company management in connection with contracts with third parties.  Prepare and review, or supervise the preparation and review of, contracts, agreements, powers of attorney, corporate resolutions, delegations of authority, general instructions, letters, and other documents and papers of legal significance.

CORPORATE SECRETARIAT

Manage the Corporate Secretariat function that coordinates communication with the Board and certain Board committees. Advise the Board of Directors and members of Board committees, and ensure good governance and compliance with the Company’s governing documents and applicable laws.

LITIGATION

Manage litigation actions as well as appoint outside counsel to act on behalf of the Company. Supervise counsel’s participation in the following: conduct of trials, hearings, appeals, arguments; preparation of briefs; interrogation of witnesses; and collection and evaluation evidence in proceedings before courts and quasi-judicial or investigatory bodies.

OUTSIDE COUNSEL APPOINTMENT AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Appoint and manage the performance of outside counsel to assist in ensuring the Company’s interests are adequately represented and protected.

LEGAL DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT

Provide continuing guidance, assistance and instruction to all counsel in the direction and supervision of their work.  Work closely with the General Counsel of ATC, Associate General Counsel, and other Chief Counsel in the subsidiaries to mitigate the legal risk for the Aramco Trading group of companies.  Engage in the Global Legal Model recognizing critical matters that require notice at the enterprise level.

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school, admitted to a U.S. Bar Association.
• Minimum 10+ years of diversified practice with a law firm or in-house counsel or a business firm or organization.
• Significant legal management experience and a demonstrated track record of advising companies engaged in supply, trading and logistics.
• Extensive prior experience in managing the legal affairs of entities performing activities similar to the those of the Company.
• Experience with multinational companies is preferred.

Behavioral

• The candidate must be practical, commercially focused and solution oriented in his/her outlook.  Responsiveness, communication skills, flexibility, approachability, excellent judgment, ability to succeed in environments of uncertainty and ambiguity, and executive presence are key required traits.
• Good interpersonal skills are required as the position is a liaison within the Company as well as between in Company and the Board of Directors.
• Demonstrable legal leadership skills.

Legal Organization Functions

The Legal Organization provides legal counsel advisory on all matters relating to the Company.  It is the exclusive entity within the Company responsible for issuing legal opinions. The primary areas of support are as follows:

• Corporate Secretariat
• Trading/Commodity Support
• Maritime Support
• Litigation
• General Corporate (i.e., Labor and employment, Procurement, etc.)
• Regulatory Compliance Advisory
• Tax Advisory

NO THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES ACCEPTED