Director, Contracts

Job Summary

The Director of Contracts will ensure that appropriate contracts and other legal documents are negotiated, executed, and managed to support Company objectives in procurement, supply chain and risk management. Will also contribute to other objectives such as operations performance, safety conformance, quality management, and cost control. This position will oversee Master Services Agreements, Master Purchase Agreements and other similar contracts to support a broad supply base of goods and services for operations & maintenance, engineering, minor capital projects, safety, and other supporting departments at Freeport LNG’s terminal on Quintana Island near Freeport, Texas as well as its headquarters in downtown Houston. The Director of Contracts will provide functional expertise and support in contract execution and administration to the Procurement Department; and serve as the interface between the operations, procurement, and legal departments to ensure business, technical and legal objectives are met. It is envisioned that this position will spend time each week at both the Freeport LNG terminal facilities and the Houston headquarters. The dual location is necessary to directly support engineering and operations & maintenance needs and maintain appropriate engagement with the company’s legal department (located at the Houston headquarters). The individual should be capable of working in both a downtown Houston atmosphere as well as an operating plant environment.

Location/Travel Information

This position is based dually at the Houston headquarters office and the Quintana Island terminal with travel to off-site locations as required. This position requires the incumbent to hold a valid, unexpired driver license at all times in order to perform the essential functions of the job, as well as a transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) card (which may be obtained after employment commences and will be reimbursed by the company).

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to the Procurement Department and their internal clients
• Counsel is generally related to company engagements with service providers and suppliers
• Internal clients include, without limitation – Operations & Maintenance, Engineering, Finance, HR, Commercial/Marketing, and IT
• Represent Freeport LNG as an attorney and member of the Legal Department when interfacing with suppliers and service providers and other external parties
• Draft and negotiate contracts and other legal documents supporting the Procurement Department and their internal clients
• Review Purchase Orders (POs), Scopes of Work (SOWs), Proposals/Quotations, requests for bid packages (including RFPs, RFQs), and other similar legal documents supporting the Procurement Department
• Maintain suite of standard procurement contract templates, including:
• Master Services Agreements (MSAs)
• Master Purchase Agreements (MPAs)
• Master Professional Services Agreements (MPSAs)
• Recruiting Services Agreements (RSAs)
• Purchase Order Terms & Conditions (PO T&Cs)
• Assignments/Amendments
• Confidentiality Agreements
• Waivers / Liability Releases
• Other templates as needed
• Develop and maintain standard alternative clauses and language
• Help develop and support standard procurement policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance by, and legal protection for, Freeport LNG
• Maintain list of currently approved master agreements
• Work together with the Risk Management Department to manage contractor insurance compliance via Insurance Tracking Services (ITS)
• Other duties as assigned and deemed necessary by Senior Counsel, FLNG Leadership and/or by the Director of Shared Services
• Accountable for accurate record keeping and transactions
• Must be able to drive a motor vehicle to perform duties at both the Houston headquarters and the Quintana Island terminal
• Must be qualified to get a TWIC card

Essential Functions

Minimum Qualification/Work Experience

Minimum Education Required

4-year college degree in a relevant field of study

Minimum Experience Required

Minimum 5 years’ contracts experience including drafting, negotiating, maintaining, and closing out large dollar and/or technically challenging and complex contracts

Preferred Experience

Doctor of Jurisprudence and Licensed Attorney

Experience in oil and gas and or similar industries

Experience in contractual claims mitigation and resolution

Understanding of SAP and procure-to-pay processes

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Experienced with computer software such Microsoft Office Suite
• Must liaise with internal stakeholders as well as suppliers and service providers
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills
• Excellent analytical problem solving skills as an active learner, self-starter & motivated
• Good listener and understands the client’s needs
• Trouble shooting/analytical skills
• Must be able to handle multiple contracts and duties, with competing priorities, simultaneously
• Must be able to read, understand and adhere to health, safety and environmental (HSE) policies

HSE Roles and Responsibilities

Support the policies, efforts, and programs of Freeport LNG Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Management System. Actively participate in the HSE Management System Policies. Ensure that HSE concerns are given priority in all activities completed within their area of responsibility. Implement routine inspections to ensure safe operating conditions.

Working Conditions and Physical Expectations

Environmental/Working Conditions:

Operates in a professional office environment within or outside of an industrial plant environment.

Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners and filing cabinets.

Physical Expectations:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• This is primarily a sedentary role; however, the incumbent must be able to stand and/or sit continuously to perform all essential job functions for a full shift.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as required in order to lift files, boxes and office equipment as necessary.
• Ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending, standing on a stool, or climbing as necessary to perform these functions.
• While performing the duties of this role, the incumbent may be required to talk or hear.
• The incumbent is required to stand, walk, handle, and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to drive to other company work locations as required.
• Ability to move throughout all areas of each office/site location and facilities.