Senior Lawyer / Aberdeen

The client is currently recruiting for the position of Senior Lawyer, based in Aberdeen.

Responsibilities:
* Proactively carry out the activities of the job at both a strategic and working level working with senior managers and members of the company's Executive Committee identifying and advising on Legal issues of commercial importance
* Be responsible for meeting agreed objectives, identifying resources within the Legal team to provide support in realising these objectives
* Experience and knowledge to provide fit for purpose advice on the range of Legal issues relating to company's operations
* Adapt to changes in work practices and job activities and encourage others to do the same
* Act in the best interest of the company at all times
* Seek out learning opportunities and transfer new skills and knowledge to the job
* Adhere to the values and principles of the company's Code of Conduct at all times
* Willingly and openly share knowledge and good practice, providing legal support to all companies Group entities operating in the United Kingdom
* Openly question established practices and achieve continuous quality and commercial improvements, implement any changes required
* Actively identify best practice (industry, technical, professional, etc.), participate on behalf of the company in external organisations promoting best practice and encourage an environment in which this is willingly and openly shared in the company
* Create an environment in which a focus on value awareness is developed and constantly think in terms of cost/benefit trade-off to provide fit for purpose, commercially orientated legal advice
* Apply, adopt and optimise creative and alternative approaches to problem-solving, encourage and support others to do the same in a timely and cost-effective manner
* Anticipate and evaluate legal risks at the appropriate level and advise colleagues of the risks and their consequence and development innovative solutions to mitigate any such risks
* Carry out peer reviews when required
* Provide a 'help desk' service to colleagues on a range of legal matters, providing a 'headline' response to phone calls, memos and other requests for help, in order to provide a prompt and accurate response to queries
* Provide detailed advice and guidance on specific matters, based on a full understanding of the matter and including detailing options and consequences, to enable colleagues to make legal and commercial decisions based on considered and measured risks
* Advise on diverse spectrum of independent, related or reoccurring Legal issues regarding the company's operations which may span over several years in duration
* Ensure clarity of understanding of the commercial and legal requirements of the business, provide legal and commercially aware advice and prepare legal documentation for negotiation, either from a blank sheet or by drafting new clauses into existing precedents
* Negotiate legal and contractual matters with third parties on behalf of the company, taking responsibility for the building and management of relationships with third parties, and providing high quality legal input on complex matters, in order to achieve a successful outcome for the company
* Provide support to other members of the Legal Department, assisting others to develop their knowledge * Carry out research, provide summaries and analysis of Legal issues required and/or instruct and manage external counsel to carry out this work when appropriate
* Co-ordinate large and complex legal/commercial matters, managing documentation and securing appropriate input from multiple sources, checking all documentation (including third party documentation), advising on associated legal and other matters, ensuring that all documents are available on time and arranging meetings as appropriate to ensure smooth progress and successful conclusion of the matter
* Manage a portfolio of matters, some of which may be handled over some months, to ensure that all matters are handled professionally and successfully
* Maintain a professional awareness of Legal developments relevant to the industry and with internal compliance requirements
* Identify and anticipate trends in the industry and relevant law in order to ensure the company optimises its position in contractual relationships with third parties and/or the regulators
* Deputise for the General Counsel in their absence, attending management meetings, identifying any correspondence which requires urgent response, acting as a point of contact, and providing support to colleagues in the Department, to ensure the smooth running of the Legal Department
* As requested by the General Counsel, assist in the discharge of the company secretarial function of the Legal Department, preparing documents for the signature of the company's Managing Director, together with appropriate explanation (e.g. summaries of documents) in support the Company Secretary

Experience & Qualifications:
* Law degree in a recognized jurisdiction
* Fully qualified lawyer in a recognized jurisdiction
* Experience, including practicing at a senior level as a commercial lawyer, gained in private practice or industry (significantly qualified), preferably relevant experience of legal practice as an upstream oil and gas lawyer
* Recognized as an industry expert with a thorough knowledge of the nature of the oil and gas industry

Contract position