Sr. Counsel - Regulatory Trade Compliance (1820)

Position Overview:

Aramco Trading Americas (ATA) is seeking to hire a Senior Counsel with expertise in Regulatory Trade Compliance. As Senior Counsel, the successful candidate will support ATA’s commercial business and all related regulatory compliance support workstreams. The position will provide expert level regulatory advice and support for domestic and international commodities and derivatives trading activities. This role will also interact and support other lawyers in other Aramco Trading affiliated offices, including the Associate General Counsel—Regulatory Affairs, located in Saudi Arabia, Europe, and Asia to ensure coordinated trade compliance activities within the global enterprise.

Duties:

• Provide advice and counsel on a range of trade compliance issues, including:
  • Requirements of the CFTC, FERC, DOE, FTC, Texas P.U.C and various other federal and state government agencies, knowledge of MIFD II, EMIR, MAR would be a plus
  • Exchange Activity Compliance (e.g. - CME, ICE, Platts)
  • CBP import/export controls
  • OFAC and international trade sanctions
  • Competition Law Advisory
  • ABAC and FCPA Compliance

Commodities and Financial Trading Advisory (physical and paper trading)

• Support and serve as lead counsel for regulatory inquiries and investigations
• Provide support as needed to Aramco Trading’s compliance department on matters such as third-party vetting/due diligence (KYC), regulatory filings, and other trade compliance
• Assist in the design and implementation of company-wide regulatory compliance programs, reviews, and initiatives, including compliance policies, processes, and training
• Managing external counsel to ensure delivery of high-quality, fit-for-purpose legal advice
• Facilitate risk assessments and monitoring of the trade compliance program
• Keep informed of and advise on new laws, regulations, and industry trends including supporting on license requirements, trading permissions, and market access.
• Take on any additional special projects and support other compliance program initiatives as necessary

Qualifications:

• JD degree with strong academic credentials
• An active license to practice law in the US
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience; preferably 5 years related to regulatory trade compliance in either private practice or in an in-house legal department
• Robust experience with trade regulatory issues related to physical and financial hydrocarbon trading activity as well as logistic operations, including storage, marine, truck, rail, and pipeline
• Ability to precisely draft documents, policies, and legal guidance that is concise and digestible for non-lawyers
• Detail oriented, organized, and effectively able to manage multiple matters while balancing competing deadlines  
• Capable of working independently, with others in the legal department, and across the company with non-lawyer stakeholders
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work in an office environment located in downtown Houston, TX.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience partnering with compliance organizations to support the design, implementation, and administration of trade compliance programs
• Experience working in a global organization and as part of a connected, global team
• Experience handling commercial matters related to supply, trading, and logistics

Experience in regulatory areas beyond trading activities such as FCPA, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Trust, DOT, Texas Railroad Commission, or other areas impacting the downstream industry

NO THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES ACCEPTED