Senior Legal Counsel

Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel

Location: London, UK

Client: Leading Global Energy Operator

Contract type: Fixed-Term (1 Year) - with potential to extend

Overview

We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to be based in London, UK. Reporting to the Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs, you will provide high-quality, commercially focused legal support across the client's UK upstream oil & gas portfolio, with additional exposure to energy transition initiatives including CCS.

This role will support both day-to-day operations and strategic transactions, with a strong emphasis on exploration & production (E&P), decommissioning, and joint venture activities.

About the Client

The organisation is a leading global energy operator with a well-established presence in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). The business is actively managing a portfolio of offshore and onshore upstream assets, including major decommissioning programmes and infrastructure repurposing initiatives linked to the energy transition.

With a long-term strategy aligned to net zero targets, the company is also supporting the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, leveraging existing infrastructure and technical expertise.

Main Responsibilities

The Senior Legal Counsel will provide proactive, commercially driven legal advice across the organisation's upstream and related activities.

Commercial & Contractual Work

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of agreements, including:
  • Decommissioning contracts and security arrangements
  • Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs), farm-in/farm-out agreements
  • Procurement and service contracts
  • Crossing, proximity, land, real estate, and planning agreements
  • Joint venture, shareholder, and cooperation agreements
  • Asset transfers and intra-group service agreements

Regulatory & Upstream Advisory

• Advising on UKCS regulatory framework, including:Supporting compliance across upstream operations and decommissioning obligations
  • Exploration & production licences
  • Agreements with regulatory bodies (e.g., The Crown Estate / NSTA)

Corporate & Transactional Matters

• Supporting M&A, divestments, and asset transactions
• Managing due diligence, SPA negotiation, and transaction execution
• Assisting with corporate restructurings and intra-group arrangements

Dispute Resolution

• Advising on disputes including litigation, arbitration, and mediation
• Managing and coordinating external legal counsel

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Working closely with technical, commercial, and project teams
• Engaging with JV partners, regulators, contractors, and stakeholders

Governance & Reporting

• Supporting internal legal reporting and compliance processes
• Ensuring adherence to company policies, ethics, and HSE standards

Skills & Experience Required

• Qualified solicitor/barrister (or equivalent)
• Strong academic background
• Significant post-qualification experience at a senior level

Essential:

• Strong experience in UK upstream oil & gas (UKCS)
• Proven track record advising on E&P, decommissioning, and JV structures
• Excellent commercial contracts and negotiation experience

Desirable:

• Experience gained in-house or within a leading law firm supporting oil & gas clients
• Strong commercial acumen and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to operate independently in a high-responsibility environment