LEGAL COUNSEL - LNG

LEGAL COUNSEL – LNG LEGAL TEAM

Business Line: Global Energy Management & Sales – Business Platform Global LNG & Biomass

Location: Paris

WHO WE ARE

ENGIE Global Energy Management & Sales (“GEMS”) provides energy supply solutions and risk management services to support its clients through their decarbonization journey, while optimizing the ENGIE Group’s assets and contributing to value creation. ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services with a leading energy management business, piloted by GEMS which built its savoir-faire managing the ENGIE Group’s large and diverse asset portfolio over 20+ years. We cover the full energy mix: renewable and thermal power, natural gas and LNG, biomass, environmental products.

As part of the GEMS Legal & Regulatory department, the Legal LNG & Biomass Team manages all legal matters relevant to the GEMS’s global LNG & Biomass trading and supply business. The business handles (i) high value long and mid-term LNG and biomass purchases and sales; (ii) spot, mid-term and long-term LNG and biomass trading; (iii) downstream-associated transactions and projects including floating terminals, gas storage and regasification facilities; and (iv) hedging derivatives and other structured products across the globe. The legal team also has a global remit, working closely with commercial colleagues and other functional partners in Paris, London, Madrid, Houston and Singapore.

Under the direction of the Team Manager and in conjunction with all levels of originators, traders and management, the Legal Counsel will provide general support in furtherance of the GEMS’s LNG business objectives. Work includes: structuring, risk identification and mitigation, document review, drafting and negotiation of spot, mid-term and long-term LNG sales and purchases, LNG ship chartering, strategic joint ventures, other commercial transactions, business development and advising on disputes.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

· Reviewing, drafting and negotiating: master LNG sales and purchase agreements and confirmation notices issued thereunder, mid-term and long-term LNG supply and off-take agreements, LNG terminal capacity and through-put arrangements, term sheets and bespoke documentation in respect of supply and services agreements etc. in relation to onshore and floating regasification facilities

· Identifying and mitigating transactional risks: in particular legal and regulatory risks and ensuring that contracts reflect best practice and GEMS policy and procedural framework

· Providing legal structuring, and legal and regulatory compliance advice: related to LNG trading, transaction and project structuring, LNG value chain optimisations and LNG related financial products activity

· Advising on operational and other events arising during the term of a contract: including force majeure, failure to deliver or take, off-specification LNG, ship and cargo scheduling and logistics issues, credit support, business conduct and trade compliance issues, and disputes

· Managing the above: timely and in a cost-effective manner with support from external counsel when necessary

· Remaining current on law and regulation relevant to the LNG value chain: including business conduct and financial services laws, encouraging a culture of compliance including by the development of relevant internal policies

· Working closely with other GEMS stakeholders and management on day-to-day activities and transactional, regulatory and compliance related matters/issues, and liaising with subject matter experts for tailored advice when necessary, to ensure common understanding of the commercial and legal requirements of the LNG’s activities

· Supporting other members of the GEMS Legal Team: including through internal functional reporting, by participating in Legal Team committees and events, and by sharing knowledge and experience

WHAT YOU BRING

· Dual qualified or with proven familiarity with both (UK) common and civil law, with minimum 10+ years’ PQE experience in LNG, freight supply and/or trading

· Experience with managing and coordinating people and subject matters

· In-depth knowledge of the global LNG industry and markets, and European gas markets including LNG terminals and regasification facilities, including relevant law and regulation covering competition, sanctions, trade law compliance, anti-money laundering and anti-corruption. Knowledge of the biomass trading and supply business is a plus

· Solid understanding of core civil and common law principles on contracts, and a good grasp of legal, social and political trends that may be relevant to the LNG business

· Strong skills in review and analysis, interpretation, drafting, negotiation and administration of commercial contracts, able to clearly explain risks, advise on both commercial and associated legal consequences and exercise sound judgement on difficult issues

· Ability to analyse complex business situations, take into account business drivers and needs to develop risk mitigation recommendations in a commercial manner

· Familiarity with trade finance and other financing mechanisms

· Ability to build and manage relationships and work in a fast paced energy trading environment

· Proven ability to prioritize conflicting demands while paying attention to detail

· Team player and effective manager of internal resources

· Excellent interpersonal and communications skills

· Fluent English and good level of French essential. Additional language fluency is a plus